What Is IMEI? The Unique Identifier for Cellular-Connected Medical Devices

Quick takeaways

• IMEI identifies the device/module on a cellular network (it’s not the SIM).
• It’s most useful when you track it consistently from manufacturing → provisioning → postmarket support.
• IMEI is an identifier, not a security control. The value lies in how you utilize it within your security processes.

What is an IMEI?

An IMEI is a globally unique number associated with a cellular device or cellular module. Mobile networks can use it to recognize the equipment attempting to connect. For medical device manufacturers, IMEI is a stable attribute you can tie to:

• your internal serial number
• a specific cellular module variant
• the SIM/eSIM subscription in that device
• support and postmarket records for that unit

Why it matters: during an incident or field action, the fastest teams are the ones who can identify the affected unit(s) and take containment steps without guessing.

IMEI structure (what the digits mean)

A modern IMEI is typically 15 digits and is commonly described as:

• TAC (Type Allocation Code) – identifies the device/model family (allocated through the GSMA system)
• Serial Number – identifies the individual unit within that TAC
• Check Digit – validates the number (Luhn-style check)

Many references summarize this as:

• 8 digits TAC + 6 digits Serial Number + 1 digit Check Digit = 15 digits

Practical takeaway: the TAC is helpful for “which family/model is this?” and the remaining digits let you distinguish one unit from another—useful for fleet operations.

IMEI vs IMSI vs ICCID (the confusion that slows teams down)

Medical device teams often inherit connectivity setups where identities are scattered across different systems. Here’s the clean mental model:

The best practice: track IMEI + IMSI/ICCID + your device serial number together so you can answer: “Which physical device is using which subscription right now?”

Why IMEI matters for medical device cybersecurity

1) Fleet inventory that holds up during an incident

Here’s a scenario we see often: a device ships with a cellular module, but the IMEI never gets captured in a place that support or security can quickly access. Months later, a suspicious network event occurs, and the team spends days trying to trace it back to a physical unit.

If IMEI is captured at the right points (manufacturing/provisioning/backend), you can quickly:

• identify affected units and model families
• confirm which subscription(s) were in use
• coordinate action with your carrier/IoT connectivity portal

2) Incident response and containment

During a suspected compromise, the first questions are always the same:

• Which unit is involved?
• What connectivity profile is it using?
• Can we contain it (limit network access, rotate credentials, disable remote commands)?

IMEI supports fast identification and coordination—especially when combined with strong backend logging, device identity management, and a defined containment playbook.

3) Lost/stolen devices: reduce secondary risk

Lost or stolen devices aren’t just an asset issue—they can become a data exposure risk or a stepping stone into your ecosystem.

Depending on carrier capabilities and contracts, IMEI may support carrier-side actions (like limiting access). Regardless, your playbook should also include:

• revoking device credentials and tokens
• rotating shared secrets or certificates (if applicable)
• monitoring for attempted reuse or unexpected reconnects

4) Supply chain and module traceability

Many devices rely on third-party cellular modules. Consistently tracking IMEI (and TAC/family relationships) improves traceability across manufacturing, provisioning, support, and postmarket response.

The FDA’s current premarket cybersecurity guidance emphasizes lifecycle security and maintaining documentation/evidence for cybersecurity practices. Solid asset/configuration control are practical parts of that story.

How MedTech teams should capture IMEI (so it’s usable later)

Manual lookups are fine for troubleshooting, but they’re a bad primary process for fleets. Instead, capture IMEI through one or more of these:

• Manufacturing records: link IMEI to device serial number in the DHR/manufacturing system
• Provisioning/enrollment: capture IMEI when the device is activated (and tie it to IMSI/ICCID)
• Backend telemetry: have the device report IMEI as part of enrollment (careful with privacy/log exposure)
• Carrier/IoT portal exports: regularly reconcile carrier records with your asset inventory

Goal: when support or security asks for an IMEI during an incident, it should be a two-minute lookup—not a scavenger hunt.

Limitations and security pitfalls (what IMEI can’t do)

IMEI is not authentication

IMEI is an identifier. It doesn’t encrypt data, prove a device is “trusted,” or prevent compromise. If you’re using IMEI as a gatekeeper by itself, you’re going to have gaps.

Don’t rely on IMEI alone for “tracking”

Real-world constraints apply: devices can go offline, SIMs can be swapped, and carrier-side actions may vary. For MedTech products, pair IMEI-based workflows with:

• strong device identity and credential management
• remote revocation/disablement mechanisms
• backend anomaly detection and security logging

Unexpected IMEI changes are a red flag

IMEI tampering is commonly associated with fraud/theft, and may violate laws or carrier terms, depending on the jurisdiction. If you encounter unexpected IMEI behavior, treat it as suspicious and investigate further.

What to document (so IMEI supports your cybersecurity program)

• Where IMEI is captured (manufacturing → provisioning → postmarket)
• How IMEI maps to IMSI/ICCID and your device identity in the backend
• Lost/stolen playbook (containment steps, revocations, monitoring)
• Incident response steps that use IMEI to identify and scope affected units

FAQs: IMEI for medical device cybersecurity

Does every medical device have an IMEI?

No. Only cellular-capable devices/modules have an IMEI. Wi-Fi-only devices typically will not.

Can we block a stolen device using IMEI?

Sometimes, depending on carrier capabilities and agreements. In practice, you should also revoke device credentials, rotate secrets, and monitor for attempted reuse.

Is IMEI sensitive information?

IMEI isn’t a password, but it can be misused for fraud or tracking. Handle it responsibly and avoid exposing it in public logs, screenshots, or customer-facing error messages.

Where should we store IMEI?

Store it where support and security can access it quickly: your asset system/CMMS (if you use one), your provisioning records, and your backend device registry, which is linked to device serial numbers and subscription IDs.

What’s the most common IMEI mistake MedTech teams make?

Not capturing it consistently during provisioning/manufacturing, then scrambling to identify affected units during an incident or field action.

Need help securing cellular-connected medical devices?

Blue Goat Cyber helps MedTech teams build defensible cybersecurity programs—from threat modeling and secure design to testing and postmarket processes that scale.

• FDA Premarket Cybersecurity Services
• FDA Postmarket Cybersecurity Services
• Medical Device Penetration Testing Services
• Threat Modeling Services
• SBOM Services for MedTech
• Contact Blue Goat Cyber

References

• GSMA: IMEI database overview
• TÜV SÜD: IMEI number structure
• FDA: Cybersecurity in Medical Devices (Premarket Guidance)