IoT Security: How Hackers Can Endanger Human Lives
The rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) has connected millions of devices to the internet. However, this increased connectivity also introduces serious security risks.
By Hirum Kigotho|Last updated: September 22, 2025|6 minutes read
cybersecurityiot security
The rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) has connected millions of devices to the internet, making everyday systems from medical equipment to industrial machinery smarter and more efficient. However, this increased connectivity also introduces serious security risks. Many IoT devices lack strong cybersecurity defenses. Hackers, once perceived as cybercriminals focused solely on financial gain, now have the power to inflict physical harm through cyberattacks. This article examines the growing danger of cyberattacks across various sectors and how they can directly threaten human safety.
1. Attacks on Healthcare Systems
Hospital Network Disruptions
Cyberattacks on hospital networks can have deadly consequences. Ransomware attacks, which lock critical systems until a ransom is paid, can incapacitate hospitals and delay emergency procedures, endangering patient lives. In some cases, these attacks have led to the failure of life-support machines, mismanagement of medication dosages, and the inability of doctors to access medical records.
If medical staff cannot access critical information, such as patient histories or medication schedules, they might be unable to provide life-saving care in time. In Germany, a ransomware attack in 2020 forced a hospital to close, resulting in the death of a patient who could not receive timely treatment. Attacks on Medical Equipment
The healthcare industry increasingly depends on interconnected medical devices for patient monitoring and treatment. Devices such as pacemakers, insulin pumps, and ventilators are linked to hospital networks or the internet. While this connectivity enhances medical care, it also introduces vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit to inflict physical harm on patients. Pacemakers and defibrillators are critical implants that regulate heart rhythms. However, these devices are susceptible to hacking. If cybercriminals gain access, they could remotely alter settings, causing the pacemaker to malfunction. This could lead to heart failure or other severe medical issues, potentially resulting in patient death. Insulin pumps, which assist diabetic patients in managing blood sugar levels, are vulnerable to cyberattacks. A hacker could modify the dosage delivered by the pump, administering either excessive or insufficient insulin. This could cause severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), both of which can be fatal if not promptly addressed. 2. Cyber Attacks on Critical Infrastructure Power grids, water treatment facilities, and communication networks are essential to modern society. Cyberattacks on these infrastructures can lead to widespread blackouts, water contamination, or communication failures, creating chaos and endangering lives.
In 2021, a hacker gained access to a water treatment plant in Florida a hacker gained access to a water treatment plant in Florida and attempted to increase the amount of sodium hydroxide (lye) in the water supply to dangerous levels. Quick action by an employee prevented a catastrophe, but the attack highlighted vulnerabilities in essential infrastructure. 3. Attacks on Industrial Control Systems Industrial control systems manage processes in factories, chemical plants, and nuclear facilities. A cyberattack targeting these systems could cause catastrophic failures, such as explosions, fires, or toxic chemical leaks. For example, the Stuxnet virus, which targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities in 2010, manipulated industrial controls to cause physical damage. While Stuxnet was designed to avoid causing harm to human life, other attacks on similar systems could easily lead to fatalities. 4. Attack on Transportation Systems Modern vehicles are increasingly controlled by computers and connected to the internet for navigation, entertainment, and safety features. Hackers who gain control of these systems can manipulate the vehicle’s speed, brakes, or steering, causing accidents. In 2015, security researchers remotely took control of a Jeep Cherokee, demonstrating vulnerabilities in connected vehicles. If cybercriminals exploit these weaknesses, they could cause fatal accidents. Similarly, attacks on air traffic control systems or railway networks could lead to catastrophic collisions. 5. Bioterrorism and Cyber Attacks on Research Facilities Bioterrorism involves the intentional release or dissemination of disease-producing organisms or toxins. Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies store vast amounts of sensitive data, including research on deadly pathogens. A cyberattack on these facilities could lead to data breaches, theft of dangerous biological information, or even sabotage of vaccine production and distribution.
In 2020, cybersecurity agencies warned that hackers were attempting to steal COVID-19 vaccine research, raising concerns about bioterrorism and disruptions to public health initiatives. 6. Drone Hijacking Another potential source of fatal cyberattacks is the growing use of drones in both civilian and military settings. Drone hijacking occurs when a cybercriminal takes control of a drone by exploiting vulnerabilities in its communication or navigation systems. Hackers could take control of armed drones used in combat, or even delivery drones, to crash them into populated areas or sensitive locations, resulting in casualties. Cybersecurity is no longer just about protecting data; it is about protecting lives. As hackers grow more sophisticated, industries must adopt robust security measures, governments must enforce stricter cybersecurity regulations, and individuals must stay vigilant against cyber threats. The future of cybersecurity is directly tied to the safety of human life, making it a global priority.
Cyberattacks on hospital networks can have deadly consequences. Ransomware attacks, which lock critical systems until a ransom is paid, can incapacitate hospitals and delay emergency procedures, endangering patient lives. In some cases, these attacks have led to the failure of life-support machines, mismanagement of medication dosages, and the inability of doctors to access medical records.
If medical staff cannot access critical information, such as patient histories or medication schedules, they might be unable to provide life-saving care in time. In Germany, a ransomware attack in 2020 forced a hospital to close, resulting in the death of a patient who could not receive timely treatment. Attacks on Medical Equipment
The healthcare industry increasingly depends on interconnected medical devices for patient monitoring and treatment. Devices such as pacemakers, insulin pumps, and ventilators are linked to hospital networks or the internet. While this connectivity enhances medical care, it also introduces vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit to inflict physical harm on patients. Pacemakers and defibrillators are critical implants that regulate heart rhythms. However, these devices are susceptible to hacking. If cybercriminals gain access, they could remotely alter settings, causing the pacemaker to malfunction. This could lead to heart failure or other severe medical issues, potentially resulting in patient death. Insulin pumps, which assist diabetic patients in managing blood sugar levels, are vulnerable to cyberattacks. A hacker could modify the dosage delivered by the pump, administering either excessive or insufficient insulin. This could cause severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), both of which can be fatal if not promptly addressed. 2. Cyber Attacks on Critical Infrastructure Power grids, water treatment facilities, and communication networks are essential to modern society. Cyberattacks on these infrastructures can lead to widespread blackouts, water contamination, or communication failures, creating chaos and endangering lives.
In 2021, a hacker gained access to a water treatment plant in Florida a hacker gained access to a water treatment plant in Florida and attempted to increase the amount of sodium hydroxide (lye) in the water supply to dangerous levels. Quick action by an employee prevented a catastrophe, but the attack highlighted vulnerabilities in essential infrastructure. 3. Attacks on Industrial Control Systems Industrial control systems manage processes in factories, chemical plants, and nuclear facilities. A cyberattack targeting these systems could cause catastrophic failures, such as explosions, fires, or toxic chemical leaks. For example, the Stuxnet virus, which targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities in 2010, manipulated industrial controls to cause physical damage. While Stuxnet was designed to avoid causing harm to human life, other attacks on similar systems could easily lead to fatalities. 4. Attack on Transportation Systems Modern vehicles are increasingly controlled by computers and connected to the internet for navigation, entertainment, and safety features. Hackers who gain control of these systems can manipulate the vehicle’s speed, brakes, or steering, causing accidents. In 2015, security researchers remotely took control of a Jeep Cherokee, demonstrating vulnerabilities in connected vehicles. If cybercriminals exploit these weaknesses, they could cause fatal accidents. Similarly, attacks on air traffic control systems or railway networks could lead to catastrophic collisions. 5. Bioterrorism and Cyber Attacks on Research Facilities Bioterrorism involves the intentional release or dissemination of disease-producing organisms or toxins. Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies store vast amounts of sensitive data, including research on deadly pathogens. A cyberattack on these facilities could lead to data breaches, theft of dangerous biological information, or even sabotage of vaccine production and distribution.
In 2020, cybersecurity agencies warned that hackers were attempting to steal COVID-19 vaccine research, raising concerns about bioterrorism and disruptions to public health initiatives. 6. Drone Hijacking Another potential source of fatal cyberattacks is the growing use of drones in both civilian and military settings. Drone hijacking occurs when a cybercriminal takes control of a drone by exploiting vulnerabilities in its communication or navigation systems. Hackers could take control of armed drones used in combat, or even delivery drones, to crash them into populated areas or sensitive locations, resulting in casualties. Cybersecurity is no longer just about protecting data; it is about protecting lives. As hackers grow more sophisticated, industries must adopt robust security measures, governments must enforce stricter cybersecurity regulations, and individuals must stay vigilant against cyber threats. The future of cybersecurity is directly tied to the safety of human life, making it a global priority.