A successful migration to an HDS-certified and SecNumCloud-qualified trusted cloud: the GCS e-Santé Bretagne and Cloud Temple demonstrate how to combine security and innovation in the healthcare sector. Stéphane Lorcy, head of the GCS's technical department, shares the lessons learned from the implementation of this strategic project.
This migration project is part of a wider strategic review being carried out within the group. We wanted to regain technical control of our systems, both in terms of hosting and applications.
About GCS e-Santé Bretagne
The Groupement de Coopération Sanitaire (GCS) e-Santé Bretagne is a private, not-for-profit organisation playing a central role in the digital transformation of healthcare in Brittany. Its mission is twofold: firstly, to support its members in their digital transformation, and secondly, to contribute to the roll-out of the national roadmap for digital health, resulting from the work of the Ségur de la santé.
The project
Faced with the expiry of its hosting contract and as part of its drive for far-reaching transformation, the GCS e-Santé Bretagne has launched an ambitious project to migrate its infrastructure to a trusted cloud. This project is part of a wider strategic reflection aimed at regaining technical control of its information systems, in terms of both hosting and applications.
The issues
The GCS e-Santé Bretagne found itself in a situation of technical dependency that was holding back its development. "We were very dependent on our service providers," explains Stéphane Lorcy, "and for every change, such as opening a flow, we had to systematically go through purchase orders. This situation slowed down daily operations and limited the teams' ability to act.
The initial lack of in-house expertise in hosting was a major obstacle. The GCS not only had to orchestrate a complex technical migration, but also simultaneously develop the skills of its teams. This increase in skills had to be achieved while maintaining an irreproachable level of service, particularly for critical applications.
Regulatory compliance added another layer of complexity to the project. As an organisation handling sensitive health data, the GCS had to ensure that its new infrastructure scrupulously complied with the security and confidentiality standards in force in the health sector.
The solution
"During our study of the various offerings and service providers on the market, we concentrated on those who could both give us control over the infrastructure and support us in this skills upgrade," emphasises Stéphane Lorcy.
The solution implemented by Cloud Temple was structured around a global and progressive approach. In terms of infrastructurelThe deployment was based on a trusted cloud with HDS and SecNumCloud certifications, guaranteeing the highest level of security for health data. The technical architecture has been designed to combine security and accessibility, with the implementation of a secure access system via bastion and VPN.
The introduction of Cloud Temple's ITSM Console tool represents a major step forward in the day-to-day management of the infrastructure. This platform enables GCS teams to manage their technical environment autonomously, from resource management to performance monitoring, including the administration of virtual machines.
The transition was organised around successive workshops, with ongoing support from the Cloud Temple teams. "When we had gaps, we organised extra meetings and mini-trainings," says Stéphane Lorcy, "and gradually we became more comfortable with the tools.
The benefits
The transformation has brought benefits on several fronts. At an operational level, the GCS has gained valuable autonomy in the management of its infrastructure. Teams can now react quickly to the need for technical adjustments without having to rely on time-consuming administrative procedures. The sizing of resources is optimised in real time, enabling better control of costs and performance.
The GCS has moved away from market management towards in-house technical expertise. "This change in mentality and strategy for our core products is being driven by management," emphasises Stéphane Lorcy. The departments are working together more effectively, and the teams have developed new skills.
The flexibility of the RACI between the GCS and Cloud Temple means that the division of responsibilities can be adapted as internal skills evolve. "This project has had some unexpected positive effects, particularly in terms of breaking down the barriers between departments," observes Stéphane Lorcy. This project forced them to work together.
With the successful migration of an initial critical application, this transformation demonstrates that a healthcare organisation can carry out a complex technical project while maintaining its services and meeting its security requirements.
Want to find out more about this project? Watch the replay of the Cloud & Health webinar
Cloud Temple's trusted cloud is easily accessible via the CAIH Cloud Marketplace "Consulting, support and hosted infrastructures for healthcare data".