The transformation of Identity and Access Management (IAM) systems is a cost that the NHS could do without, but it’s critical in the drive to digitalisation. With an infrastructure that already has large numbers of siloed systems, it is the IT team’s responsibility to ensure that new IAM solutions can provide automation and are future-proofed.
Future system demands
The ability to meet the challenges of changing technologies and a dynamically-changing, mobile workforce, will require IT teams to take a longer-term approach to IAM implementations. The quick fix approach to solve current system headaches is naïve, given the speed of change, both operationally and technologically, across the NHS.
A Gartner survey entitled “Survey Analysis: What IAM Leaders Are Saying About Budgets, IoT and Technology Plans Through 2018”, found that 63% of IAM leaders plan to change IAM technology within the next two years and the main reason for replacement was that their system no longer meets requirements. This is a wider-industry lesson that’s important for the NHS.
If the NHS’ only goal is to solve current headaches, they are going to end up in exactly the same place again, perhaps two or five years down the line. Ensuring a robust IAM solution is in place will be central to support future integration and deliver return-on-investment.
It is important to view IAM as a trust-wide tool that enables access to an array of hospital systems. As hospitals look to new technology to enhance patient care and service, careful access management and connectivity will be essential to deliver an effective, secure service.
IT for the future NHS
This constantly altering environment is challenging to trusts. With vast infrastructure and users, change management must be carefully considered and planned to minimise the impact on the daily operations of the hospital.
One way in which trusts are tackling the fluidity of technology is by consuming increasing amounts of infrastructure and applications as a service, rather than on-premise. Whether as a service or on-premise, IT infrastructure or specific elements of it, are also being managed and updated by specialist technology professionals, taking the onus off the in-house IT department.
BDS Solutions works with a wide number of NHS Trusts providing specialist identity and access management solutions, as well as technical support and infrastructure services. Its Directory Manager solution automates the link between ESR and NHSmail, effectively managing Active Directory user accounts, providing flexibility to support future technologies.
Finding a long-term partner, who is a specialist in NHS technologies and systems is the key to IAM success. With the right advice and support, trusts should move towards solutions that can be flexible to future-proof investment.