MITRE ATT&CK is a knowledge base of observed adversary tactics, techniques and sub-techniques, with Enterprise, Mobile and ICS domains. Major content releases generally occur twice yearly, with smaller updates between them. As of November 1, 2026 the current content version is v20.0, released October 13, 2026.

Why it matters

Use ATT&CK selectively to enrich device-specific threat models, detection engineering and security testing. ICS techniques should be selected for architectural applicability, not applied automatically to every hospital device.

Common pitfalls

•Mapping threats to ATT&CK tactics only (the column headers) instead of specific techniques and sub-techniques, the granularity is the point.
•Treating ATT&CK as a checklist of controls rather than a reference of attacker behavior, defensive frameworks like D3FEND or NIST CSF cover controls.
•Ignoring ICS ATT&CK for hospital-deployed devices; many techniques in that matrix apply to networked imaging, lab analyzers, and infusion fleets.

Sources

MITRE ATT&CK · MITRE
ATT&CK for ICS · MITRE
Getting Started with ATT&CK · MITRE
MITRE version history · MITRE
FDA final guidance, February 3, 2026 · FDA

Open full page

Select term B to compare.

Why compare MedTech terms side by side?

MedTech terminology is full of pairs that look interchangeable but carry very different regulatory, clinical, and commercial consequences. Picking the wrong framework, pathway, or standard early in a project can add months to a submission, invalidate clinical evidence, or trigger an audit finding. Side-by-side comparison is the fastest way to surface those differences before they become costly mistakes.

Each comparison on this page pulls from the same vendor-neutral, sourced definitions used throughout the MedTech Terms glossary. You see the one-line summary, the formal definition, why it matters in practice, common pitfalls, and the primary sources (FDA guidance, EU MDR/IVDR articles, ISO/IEC standards, MDCG documents, IMDRF principles) that back each entry. That makes the comparison defensible in regulatory strategy memos, design reviews, and submission narratives.

Common comparison patterns

Regulatory pathway choice - 510(k) vs PMA, 510(k) vs De Novo, Abbreviated vs Special 510(k).
Quality systems - QSR vs ISO 13485, QMSR vs QSR.
Software classification - SaMD vs SiMD, Locked vs adaptive AI.
EU frameworks - MDR vs IVDR, CE Mark vs UKCA.
Cybersecurity artifacts - SPDX vs CycloneDX SBOM, CVE vs CVSS.
Post-market actions - Recall vs field action, Removal vs correction.

How to use this tool

Pick term A and term B from the dropdowns, or click a preset above. The URL updates with both slugs so you can bookmark or share the exact comparison with a colleague, a notified body reviewer, or your regulatory consultant. Click Open full page on either side for the complete entry, including FAQs, related terms, and the full citation list. If you are not sure which term to start with, browse the Categories view or the A-Z index.

MedTech Terms is a vendor-neutral community resource sponsored by Blue Goat Cyber. Definitions are written for educational use and are not legal or regulatory advice.