Gazzang, the Linux data security company, today announced its software-based data security solutions are enabling health care organizations to confidently move sensitive data into cloud and big data environments. The cloud computing market in health care is expected to grow to $5.4 billion by 2017(1) , due in large part to the performance gains, inexpensive storage, elasticity and data sharing capabilities delivered by the cloud.
Pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms and research hospitals are using the cloud to analyze massive datasets and quickly provision and de-provision large Linux clusters according to business requirements. As cloud usage escalates, these organizations are turning to Gazzang to encrypt and secure health care data as required by HIPAA-HITECH compliance regulations.
For Gazzang customer, Spero Software, providing a secure case management solution in the cloud allows its grant-funded clients to confidently collect, store and report detailed client information such as medical needs, prescriptions and more. Spero’s current clients are not licensed medical providers; however, Spero recognizes the importance of securing this data on behalf of its member organizations. The company is running Gazzang zNcrypt(TM) beneath the popular big data platform, MongoDB, to ensure its cloud data is encrypted and the keys are protected from unauthorized access.
“Spero provides ease of use and flexibility, offering an efficient way for organizations to streamline record keeping and reporting. Because the data our clients are collecting is often personally identifiable and extremely sensitive, such as mental health diagnoses and drug addictions, we have zero tolerance for unauthorized data exposure,” said Laurie Kronyak, founder and CEO of Spero Software. “Gazzang allows us to quickly and cost-effectively implement encryption and key management, securing the data at-rest and meeting a critical component of our HIPAA compliance strategy.”
HIPAA Compliance Reduces Risk of Data Exposure
HIPAA compliance is imperative for organizations on the front lines of the electronic medical records (EMR) movement. The new HIPAA Omnibus Final Rule that takes effect on Sept. 23, 2013 extends security and privacy requirements to business associates — contractors and subcontractors such as billing companies — requiring health care organizations to start thinking about security as part of a more ‘global’ business issue.
Gazzang solutions transparently encrypt and secure data at rest and provide customers with a policy-based key manager that returns control of the cryptographic keys to the data owners, instead of cloud or operating system administrators. Process-based access controls ensure unauthorized parties and malicious actors never gain access to the encrypted data. This powerful combination of encryption, key management and access controls enable health care organizations to meet strict data security policies and confidently migrate important data and applications to the cloud.
“Gazzang is working with dozens of national health care organizations to secure data on behalf of millions of patients and clients,” said Larry Warnock, CEO of Gazzang. “Working with Gazzang allows these SaaS providers, research hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and biotech firms to focus their attention on patient care and treatment, rather than software development and IT security.”
Gazzang is hosting a webinar, HIPAA Compliance in the Cloud, on May 1 at 2:00 p.m. EDT. Click here to register.
Additional Resources
Gazzang Launches zNcrypt for Health Care, Providing Endpoint Security for Vulnerable Patient Data
Achieving HIPAA Compliance
HIPAA-HITECH Compliance Guide
Spero case study
Hartford HealthCare case study
Health care infographic
About Gazzang
Gazzang provides data security solutions and operational diagnostics that help enterprises protect sensitive information and maintain performance in cloud environments. The company has over 200 customers across multiple industries including SaaS providers, financial services, technology, health care and public sector organizations. Gazzang is backed by Austin Ventures and Silver Creek Ventures. For more information, visit www.gazzang.com.
(1) Markets and Markets, “Healthcare Cloud Computing (Clinical, EMR, SaaS, Private, Public, Hybrid) Market – Global Trends, Challenges, Opportunities & Forecasts (2012 — 2017),” July 2012
