Enhancing IT Security, Data Integration, and Compliance for a Healthcare Provider

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Healthcare

Enhancing IT Security, Data Integration, and Compliance for a Healthcare Provider

IT security model including network protection, identity management, and data encryption in a healthcare setting.

Focus Areas

IT Security and Infrastructure

Data Integration and Interoperability

Regulatory Compliance (HIPAA)

Data integration between electronic health records (EHR), cloud platforms, and systems

Business Problem

A regional healthcare provider managing multiple facilities struggled with fragmented IT systems, limited security controls, and inconsistent compliance processes. Sensitive patient data was dispersed across EHRs, billing systems, and departmental databases, increasing the risk of data breaches and audit failures. The organization sought to modernize its IT landscape by securing systems, unifying data pipelines, and implementing sustainable compliance practices.

Key challenges:

  • Legacy Security Architecture: Outdated firewalls and endpoint protection increased exposure to cyber threats.

  • Data Silos: Critical patient and operational data was isolated in non-integrated platforms.

  • Manual Compliance Efforts: HIPAA and HITECH audits required manual evidence gathering, delaying reporting.

  • Inadequate Access Controls: Broad access privileges created internal security vulnerabilities.

  • Lack of Real-Time Monitoring: No centralized system to monitor suspicious activity or enforce policies dynamically.

The Approach

Curate collaborated with the provider to implement an enterprise-grade IT security model, centralized data integration framework, and automated compliance workflows. The solution provided real-time visibility into system activity, improved governance of protected health information (PHI), and enabled timely, accurate reporting.

Key components of the solution:

  • Discovery and Requirements Gathering:

    • Security Posture Assessment: Evaluated current firewalls, endpoints, network design, and gaps in cyber hygiene.

    • Stakeholder Interviews: Engaged compliance officers, IT leadership, and clinical informatics teams.

    • Data Architecture Audit: Identified all sources, formats, and owners of clinical and operational data.

    • Risk & Compliance Mapping: Reviewed control frameworks for HIPAA, HITECH, and SOC 2 alignment.

  • Solution Design and Implementation:

    • Modern Identity & Access Management: Implemented Azure AD with single sign-on (SSO), multi-factor authentication (MFA), and least-privilege policies across systems.

    • Security Information and Event Management (SIEM): Deployed Microsoft Sentinel to centralize event logging and alerting.

    • Data Integration Framework: Created an ETL pipeline using Fivetran, dbt, and Snowflake to centralize structured and semi-structured data.

    • Compliance Automation: Adopted Vanta and Drata to automate evidence collection and maintain policy adherence.

    • Encryption and Tokenization: Ensured end-to-end protection of PHI in transit and at rest using cloud-native tools.

  • Process Optimization and Change Management:

    • Governance & Policy Council: Established leadership oversight for data access, risk, and compliance metrics.

    • Security Training Program: Conducted role-based security awareness and phishing simulation campaigns.

    • Compliance Documentation Templates: Standardized documentation to accelerate audit cycles.

    • ITIL-Based Change Management: Integrated risk and compliance checks into infrastructure and application changes.

Business Outcomes

Reduced Cybersecurity Risk


Advanced threat detection and IAM reduced internal and external exposure to data breaches.

Streamlined Data Access and Reporting


Unified data platform enabled faster analytics, claims validation, and patient insights.

Sustainable Regulatory Compliance


Automated control monitoring reduced manual audit prep by over 75%, improving readiness and confidence.

Enhanced User Accountability


Role-based controls and real-time monitoring improved accountability and reduced policy violations.

Customer Value

Stronger Security Culture


Improved threat awareness and staff accountability.

Operational Resilience


Systems were protected and recoverable during security incidents.

Sample Skills of Resources

  • Cloud Security Engineers: Designed IAM and implemented SIEM monitoring.

  • Data Integration Specialists: Built scalable ETL pipelines for healthcare data sources.

  • Compliance Analysts: Mapped HIPAA and SOC 2 controls, monitored effectiveness.

  • Security Trainers: Delivered role-based training and awareness campaigns.

  • DevOps/IT Engineers: Supported automated deployment and infrastructure hardening.

Tools & Technologies

  • Security & Monitoring: Microsoft Sentinel, Defender for Endpoint, CrowdStrike

  • Identity & Access Management: Azure AD, Okta, CyberArk

  • Data Integration: Fivetran, dbt, Snowflake, Airflow

  • Compliance & Audit: Drata, Vanta, OneTrust

  • Automation & Collaboration: Terraform, Confluence, Jira, Slack

Conclusion

Curate’s integrated approach to IT security, data integration, and compliance helped the healthcare provider create a secure, unified, and compliant digital environment. The initiative empowered the organization to deliver higher-quality care while maintaining operational integrity and regulatory alignment in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

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