MedTech Leaders Address Cyber Threats and Rising Costs

Executives discussed industry-wide cybersecurity challenges and the shift toward outpatient care at a recent conference.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Healthcare

Modern, sterile ambulatory surgery center corridor with minimalist lighting and high-tech medical equipment visible through an open door. — Medical device manufacturers are balancing intensified cybersecurity efforts while adapting to the industry-wide shift toward ambulatory surgery centers. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Medical device leaders convened at AdvaMed's The MedTech Conference in Boston to navigate a landscape of increasing cyberattacks and economic pressure. The industry is currently adapting to a significant shift in patient procedures moving from hospitals to ambulatory surgery centers.

Why it matters

Rising healthcare costs and economic uncertainty are driving these industry discussions as facilities search for ways to improve efficiency. Meanwhile, cybersecurity remains a top priority following recent attacks on major manufacturers like Stryker, Boston Scientific, and Medtronic.

Mass General Brigham currently monitors 200,000 medical devices across its network. The system spends $420 million annually on implants, a figure expected to climb to $500 million as healthcare demands evolve.

The players

AdvaMed

AdvaMed is a major trade association representing the medical device and diagnostics industry.

Mass General Brigham

Mass General Brigham is a non-profit healthcare system based in Massachusetts that manages multiple hospitals and facilities.

Stryker

Stryker is a global medical technology company that provides innovative products and services in orthopedics and medical specialties.

Boston Scientific

Boston Scientific is a developer and manufacturer of medical devices used in a range of interventional medical specialties.

Medtronic

Medtronic is a leading medical device company that develops technologies for treating chronic diseases.

The details

Companies are prioritizing patient and employee safety through transparent communication to mitigate the impact of sophisticated cyber threats. Simultaneously, the approval of pulsed field ablation for outpatient surgery centers signals a broader push to reduce costs by shifting care away from traditional hospital settings.

March 11, 2026: Stryker experienced a cyberattack.
October 19-25, 2026: AdvaMed held The MedTech Conference in Boston.

Market Landscape

The 2026 AdvaMed MedTech Conference highlights how modern medical infrastructure is being tested against both digital threats and the transition to decentralized care. This collective industry shift marks a departure from traditional hospital-centric models toward cost-efficient ambulatory surgery.

Patients may find more medical procedures offered at ambulatory surgery centers rather than hospitals, potentially leading to lower costs for care. Increased focus on cybersecurity aims to better protect personal health records and the reliability of essential medical equipment.

The takeaway

The medical industry is undergoing a dual transformation as it balances hardened digital security with the migration of complex procedures to outpatient settings. Staying informed about these changes can help patients navigate the shifting landscape of modern surgical care options.