CYLCOMED Project Concludes: Key Highlights

After three years of pioneering research, the CYLCOMED project is drawing to a close, leaving a significant mark on cybersecurity for connected medical devices (CMDs) across European healthcare systems. Launched in December 2022 as part of Horizon Europe’s Research and Innovation Action (RIA), the initiative has developed innovative solutions to protect critical medical technologies without compromising patient care.

A Modular, AI-Powered Toolbox for Healthcare Security

At the heart of the CYLCOMED project lies the CYLCOMED Toolbox, a modular set of AI-driven cybersecurity tools designed for clinical environments. The toolbox integrates secure identity management, data protection, access control, and advanced threat detection, and it can be deployed automatically across a wide range of medical devices.

Validated in both simulated and real hospital settings, the toolbox has demonstrated its adaptability and effectiveness. By combining cutting-edge technology with clinical workflows, CYLCOMED ensures that cybersecurity measures do not interfere with patient treatment or medical performance.

Assessing CYLCOMED Pilots

For Pilot 1, Spanish partner RGB Medical Devices, a manufacturer of patient monitoring systems, tested the toolbox in a simulated Intensive Care Unit using legacy equipment. The integration of CYLCOMED’s security modules via an external Linux-based board successfully protected devices such as multiparameter monitors and infusion pumps without affecting their clinical functions. The evaluation confirmed enhanced protection against unauthorized access and potential data breaches

For Pilot 2, the toolbox was further tested in real-world conditions at Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù in Rome and Fundación Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús in Madrid. In Rome, wearable devices for pediatric cardiac patients transmitted data securely through an AI-enabled platform, achieving strong patient compliance and system usability. Meanwhile, in Madrid, the CYLCOMED dashboard monitored 5G connections in emergency ambulances transporting critically ill children, ensuring safe and real-time data transmission.

Collaboration and Policy Engagement Shape the Future

CYLCOMED concluded with a final workshop involving related cluster projects and representatives from the Ministries of Health of Austria, Germany, Poland, and the Medical Chamber of Slovenia. The event emphasised EU-wide collaboration and highlighted shared strategies to safeguard healthcare infrastructures against cyber threats. Looking ahead, CYLCOMED demonstrates that robust cybersecurity can coexist with clinical excellence, paving the way for safer, more resilient digital health systems throughout Europe.