[IT safety in medical networks--current problems and approach to solutions]

Designers and users of medical networks have to face strong requirements for data protection and security. Professional discretion and data protection laws allow the transfer of or access to patient data only in a therapeutic context. These data should also be protected from the network provider. Patients should be safe from any harm by faulty data or buggy procedures. On the other hand the security of the most used software products gets worse and worse. The use of the internet endangers more and more the integrity of the user's computer. The security requirements can be met only through strict care in planning, building, and configuring the infrastructure. Some concrete recommendations and guiding principles can immediately be realized. If these recommendations are followed, the internet can be of immense value for health care.