Wearable Biomedical Monitoring Systems for Occupational Health: A Scoping Review of Technologies, Applications, Privacy Risks, and Cybersecurity Challenges (2020–2026)

Smart wearable biomedical sensors/devices provide the ability for continuous monitoring of physiological parameters in occupational settings. Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)’s integration in wearable biomedical technology presents additional cybersecurity risks and privacy concerns as attack surfaces expand and sensitive biometric data is processed. This scoping review included studies published between 2020 and 2026, screened according to PRISMA-ScR guidelines, which identified 39 articles. The findings indicate that most systems rely on commercial wearables for monitoring fatigue, stress, and environmental conditions, often with limited consideration of the cybersecurity aspects. Common risks include insecure wireless communication, data interception, firmware and supply chain attacks, and vulnerabilities related to IT/OT integration. To address these challenges, this study proposes a multi-layer threat taxonomy covering sensing, communication, processing, AI/analytics, and organizational layers. The results highlight the need for end-to-end cyber-resilient architectures and privacy-by-design approaches in occupational wearable monitoring systems.