Two people are sitting at a table; Middle-aged female doctor (left) has short brown hair, wears a doctor's coat and a stethoscope around her neck. She is showing something on a laptop to an older man (right). The man has short gray hair, a gray beard, and glasses. He is wearing a blue shirt.

Digitalization in the healthcare sector

Opportunities through eHealth / digital health.
Value creation in the digital healthcare system.

Secure digitalization in the healthcare sector

Optimal use of resources, standardized processes, synergy effects: Many effects are in favor of digital networking in the healthcare sector. However, the core of digitalization in the healthcare sector is a secure, legally compliant IT infrastructure to enable targeted collaboration between practices, clinics, nursing services, and therapists.

LANCOM Systems shows how healthcare providers can securely participate in the digitalization of the healthcare sector in the area of conflict between modern patient care and patient data protection.

Prepare for NIS2 now

The healthcare sector has been part of the CRITIS sectors affected by the NIS1 directive since 2016 and is subject to certain European cybersecurity requirements. With NIS2, further, stricter requirements will now be added from October 2024, which will be set out in national laws. Compliance with these will be monitored and penalised. It is best to prepare now and find out what you will need to consider in the future:

Find out more about NIS2

Digitalization of the healthcare system

Digital health: the political course has been set

The exchange of medical data in care clusters should make healthcare more accessible, more effective and cheaper. Diagnostics, therapy, and research can also be made more efficient and at the same time more individualized in a digital network.

A desirable side effect is that the patient becomes the focus of attention. Targeted information exchange, smooth communication and close support along the "digital patient pathway" or "digital care pathway" will significantly improve the quality of care.

Young nurse with black curly hair and blue nurse's coat shows something on a tablet to an older senior doctor with short gray hair in a white doctor's coat and a stethoscope around her neck

Laws and guidelines for the protection of health data

The advancing digitalization of the healthcare sector is increasing the cyber risk for medical and research institutions. Accordingly, increasingly strict national and European laws regulate the protection of sensitive patient data and critical medical systems.

National guidelines

National laws on digitalization and IT security in the healthcare sector describe very clearly where healthcare should be heading in the future:

Away from rural and demographic undersupply, towards a digitally networked healthcare landscape with a broad range of medical services. And as soon as possible. Some European countries are far ahead in this respect, while others are driving development forward with laws and subsidies.

Patient data protection and NIS2

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) describes guidelines for the protection of electronic personal (patient) data.

Many healthcare facilities are also part of the critical infrastructure (KRITIS). The European Network and Information Security Directive NIS2 will apply to them from October 2024.

This is currently being transposed into national law and requires information and network security measures. Non-compliance is punishable by fines in the millions – whereby the owners and managers of practices, medical centers, and clinics are liable with their private assets.

Advantages of digitalization in the healthcare sector

The advantages of smooth communication and cooperation between the service providers and facilities involved are obvious:

Fast and standardized digital processes

Fewer printouts, letters, and prescriptions
Less effort for file transmission
No handwriting that is difficult to decipher

Tailor-made diagnostics, medication and therapy

More time for patients
Better database
Minimization of errors due to misunderstandings and misinterpretations
Higher quality of treatment

Transparency across all care steps

Easier collaboration between different healthcare providers
Better exchange of information
Faster access to important patient data
Greater treatment safety

Easier planning and management of resources

Coordinate appointments, beds, medication, staff, etc. better and in real time
More billable working time
Relief for staff

Closed, protected networks for secure collaboration in digital healthcare

LANCOM Connected Health Ecosystem

Are you already cooperating with other healthcare providers – or do you have an idea of how your processes can be digitally optimized in cooperation with others? Then the only question that remains is how to set up your digital network securely. How do you ensure the protection of sensitive patient data and critical processes?

It's simple – with the Connected Health Ecosystem from LANCOM!

The convenient rental model for Health IT Infrastructures includes everything you need for the secure operation of a digital health cluster or a research network.

View LANCOM Healthcare Brochure

View LANCOM Healthcare Reference Projects

Use the Healthcare Matchmaker

Added value and overview of the LANCOM Health IT infrastructure packages for the healthcare sector with four added values including icons as a two-column row in the upper part of the image, package symbol with inscription "LANCOM Health IT infrastructure packages" and "3-year term" in the center of the image and the five packages shown symbolically next to each other in the lower part of the image; the added values include the points compliance-compliant IT security, highest quality, sustainable network maintenance and Made in Germany; the packages contain the note that alternative solutions deviating from the packages are also possible if required; the five packages represent the use cases Outpatient I (individual practice, therapeutic practice), Outpatient II (group practice, pharmacy), Outpatient III (MVZ), Outpatient IV (outpatient care) and Inpatient (clinic, nursing home)

The secure basis
for eHealth and Co.

LANCOM Health IT Infrastructures for the digital healthcare sector

LANCOM Health IT Infrastructures offer all the prerequisites for secure digitalization in the healthcare sector. They meet all legal requirements and guidelines for protecting your data traffic.

Speak to the LANCOM healthcare experts

Continuing the digitalization of the healthcare sector securely and efficiently

Patients are already digital and mobile

The reality of most patients' lives has long been digital and mobile. They use their smartphones for communication and appointment scheduling, save files, and send documents. Many already use health apps from more or less reputable providers that already serve the market.

The readiness for digital healthcare is there – often even expectations that are not yet fulfilled. Digital natives think that making appointments and video consultations should be possible with just two clicks.

A secure IT infrastructure rewards this trust with a solid foundation and an integrated environment.

Man holding phone with headphones; he looks at the screen from above and attends a video call with a female doctor

Your path to healthcare 2.0

LANCOM Systems specializes in cybersecurity in the healthcare sector. Certificates such as the trust mark "IT Security Made in Germany" (ITSmiG) and the BSI IT security label show that we place the highest value on data protection and compliance.

LANCOM also excels in the area of digital sovereignty with guaranteed backdoor freedom and GDPR compliance, as well as production and development engineered in Germany and comprehensive support. Together with numerous technology partners such as Philips Healthcare, Dräger Medical Services, Stanley Healthcare, Rohde & Schwarz Cybersecurity and macmon, we have already solved many challenges in the healthcare sector.

Feel free to contact us! We look forward to your inquiry.