Average read time: 4 minutes.

In this blog, you will learn about:

• Data security related to the healthcare industry.
• The risks that are associated with data theft in the healthcare industry.
• How the concepts of proactive, prescriptive and preventative security relate to keeping data safe.

Data within the healthcare industry is fraught; there’s no avoiding it. According to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach report, the healthcare industry is particularly vulnerable to data breaches, with alarming consequences. The report also reveals that healthcare has held the top spot for the most costly data breaches for 14 consecutive years, with the average breach costing more than $7 million. In response to these dangers, organizations are shifting their solutions from on-premises to Cloud operations, including a variety of different ways to keep data secure. But change comes with disruption. So, in a world that’s dangerous for data, what’s at stake?

Confidence by Design defines the Altera Cloud experience, supported by our foundational pillars of security, performance, and availability— our “SPA.” In our last blog, we outlined what each of these pillars means. This time, we turn our attention to the first and most essential—security—a cornerstone of trust for organizations worldwide.

The risks

Without secure data, organizations must consider major risks. An avalanche of consequences can hit an organization without a secure system, including risking leaks of patient data and medical records. This can lead to identity theft for patients, incorrect medical treatments, privacy violations and major financial losses for organizations. Simply put, patient trust will suffer, leading to fewer patients and a worse reputation. A secure system works to prevent these potentially severe consequences, and in today’s digital age, the reality is: maintaining data security is critical.

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Proactive, prescriptive, preventive

Let’s take a look at these terms and define them more specifically. Proactive data refers to the approach of preventing data errors and issues before they occur, rather than reacting to them after they have already impacted operations. Prescriptive data goes beyond simply describing or predicting trends by actively suggesting the best steps to take in a given situation to achieve desired outcomes. And lastly, preventive data strategies and technologies are designed to protect sensitive information from being lost, stolen or accessed by unauthorized individuals. It aims to prevent data breaches before they happen.

By incorporating all three concepts into the structure of how we define our operations, we ensure that our data security can inspire trust, as well as next-level outcomes.

Safe and secure

These concepts are not the holistic list of how we, at Altera, frame the importance of data security from a Cloud perspective, but it is worth noting that these pieces contribute to the bigger picture of why the Cloud is the safest move for healthcare organizations to consider.

Security can become complex very quickly, which isn’t all together bad, especially if you have a Health IT vendor who has your back. While security presents a massive undertaking for organizations to keep under control, they certainly don’t have to do it alone.

Partnership is everything for the journey ahead

At Altera Cloud, Confidence by Design means a steadfast commitment to security, performance and availability, empowering organizations to stay focused on what matters most—the patient experience and seamless daily operations. Beyond technology, our team builds trusted, one-to-one relationships that embody reliability and partnership. Together, these elements ensure our clients can trust not only the strength of our cloud design, but also the dependable collaboration that defines their Altera Cloud experience.

Partnership is everything to our perspective at Altera, and success is framed by our clients, always, as their results are how we measure ourselves. To learn more about Altera Cloud and how we keep data safe, performing well and available, visit this site.