Nova Leah: Securing Connected Medical Devices for a Resilient Europe

In an era when cyber threats can endanger not only data but lives, one Irish company is quietly redefining how we protect critical healthcare technologies. Nova Leah, a cybersecurity venture born out of academic research in Dundalk, Ireland, has emerged as a pioneer in safeguarding connected medical devices – from pacemakers to hospital infusion pumps – against cyberattacks. Founded in 2015 by Dr. Anita Finnegan after her doctoral work on medical software security, Nova Leah has translated cutting-edge research into practical tools that help manufacturers and hospitals build “security-by-design” into lifesaving equipment[1][2]. Today Nova Leah’s AI-driven platforms continuously monitor devices for vulnerabilities and compliance, ensuring that a wireless defibrillator or insulin pump remains as safe from hackers as it is from malfunctions.

Nova Leah’s rise comes at a critical moment for Europe. EU policymakers have placed new emphasis on strategic autonomy in cybersecurity and on shoring up the resilience of healthcare infrastructure – a priority underscored by incidents like the 2017 WannaCry attack, which crippled hospital systems worldwide[3]. With backing from European innovation funds and close alignment to EU regulations, Nova Leah is positioning itself as a linchpin of Europe’s defense against digital threats in the medical domain. Its story – from a small research spin-out partnering with a local institute, to a globally recognized specialist securing medical technology – offers a compelling glimpse into how Europe’s own innovators can reduce reliance on foreign providers and fortify the continent’s strategic tech sectors. For readers interested in the intersection of healthcare, cybersecurity, and European strategic autonomy, Nova Leah’s journey provides both inspiration and a blueprint for the road ahead.