Cloud Compliance in Healthcare & Defence: Critical Risks & How to Avoid Them
For UK healthcare and defence leaders, cloud adoption is an essential upgrade, but also a regulatory minefield. With stringent security requirements and evolving compliance laws, failing to get it right can lead to fines, security breaches, and operational risks.
Both the NHS and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) rely on cloud technologies for secure data sharing, real-time communications, and critical infrastructure. However, a 2023 report from the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) found that misconfigured cloud settings accounted for over 30% of reported security incidents in regulated sectors, highlighting the urgent need for a proactive compliance strategy.
So, how can your organisation ensure cloud compliance while maintaining security and efficiency? Below, we break down the key challenges and practical steps you can take to stay compliant.
1. Meeting Sector-Specific Regulations
The Challenge
UK defence and healthcare organisations must adhere to strict regulatory frameworks, which vary between sectors:
Defence: Defence Cyber Protection Partnership (DCPP), JSP 440, JSP 604, MOD Information Assurance Standards.
Healthcare: Data Security and Protection Toolkit (DSPT), GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018, NHS-specific security frameworks.
Non-compliance can lead to significant fines, legal penalties, and operational disruptions.
How to Stay Compliant
Map your compliance requirements: Identify all relevant regulations and ensure policies align.
Conduct a compliance gap analysis: Regularly review processes to detect weaknesses.
Stay updated on evolving standards: Monitor regulatory changes and adjust security measures accordingly.
Train your teams: Ensure all stakeholders understand compliance responsibilities.
Find out more about how we support Healthcare and Defence organisations with their specific sector challenges.
2. Securing Highly Sensitive Data
The Challenge
Both defence and healthcare organisations manage highly sensitive and classified data:
Defence: Military operations, intelligence reports, and national security information.
Healthcare: Patient records, clinical research, and confidential medical data.
A single misconfiguration can result in a major breach. In 2022, a UK healthcare provider suffered a cyberattack due to weak cloud security, leading to patient data exposure and regulatory fines under GDPR.
How to Protect Sensitive Data
Implement strict access controls: Use role-based access (RBAC) and multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Encrypt data at rest and in transit: Ensure AES-256 encryption for stored data and TLS 1.3 for communications.
Conduct regular security assessments: Detect and mitigate risks before they become threats.
Develop an incident response plan: Ensure swift action in case of a breach.
Read more about data storage security for safe business growth.
3. Managing Multi-Cloud Complexity
The Challenge
Many healthcare providers and defence contractors operate across multiple cloud providers (AWS, Azure, private cloud). This introduces:
Inconsistent security controls across platforms.
Data sovereignty challenges for cross-border storage.
Compliance gaps due to varying regulations.
According to Gartner, by 2025, 80% of organisations using multiple cloud services will struggle with compliance due to misaligned security policies.
How to Manage Multi-Cloud Compliance
Standardise security policies: Apply consistent security configurations across providers.
Use Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM): Automate compliance monitoring.
Review cross-border data flows: Ensure compliance with UK GDPR and sector-specific regulations.
Regularly audit cloud configurations: Identify and remediate misconfigurations.
Read more in our blog on CSPM.
4. Maintaining Continuous Compliance
The Challenge
Cloud compliance isn’t a one-time fix—it requires ongoing monitoring to keep up with evolving threats and regulations.
How to Maintain Compliance
Deploy automated compliance monitoring: Use CSPM tools to detect non-compliance in real time.
Schedule regular audits: Ensure security policies remain up to date.
Adopt a proactive risk management approach: Identify and mitigate risks before they become liabilities.
Engage compliance experts: Stay ahead of industry changes with expert-led audits and consultancy.
Need expert guidance? Speak to our team about cloud security and compliance.
Ensuring Compliance Without Slowing Innovation
Cloud adoption in UK defence and healthcare requires balancing security, compliance, and agility. By taking a proactive approach, organisations can mitigate risks while leveraging the full benefits of the cloud.
Key Takeaways:
Align your cloud strategy with sector-specific compliance frameworks.
Secure sensitive data with strict access controls and encryption.
Simplify compliance with automated monitoring and multi-cloud security policies.
Need tailored support? Contact us to discuss your organisation’s cloud security and compliance strategy.
