MSDH
and what systems are connecting to what systems.”
Asset management is another area of focus for Kane and his team. In an increasingly decentralised work environment, keeping track of hardware and software licences and their usage has become more complex and crucial than ever.
“ We’ re in the anywhere workforce, anywhere workplace. So where is that laptop? Where is that mobile device?,” Kane asks rhetorically.“ How many Microsoft 365 licences can I not renew right now? If you don’ t have an answer, then we need to do some more asset management because that is money that you’ re just giving away to your vendor because you’ re not utilising that service.”
“ Our digital initiatives are reshaping our approach to healthcare delivery, especially after COVID”
KANE TOMLIN CIO, MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Balancing innovation with compliance The department’ s digital transformation efforts are not without their challenges, particularly when it comes to balancing innovation with compliance in a highlyregulated healthcare environment. As a HIPAA-covered entity, the Mississippi Department of Health must navigate strict data privacy and security requirements while pushing for technological advancement.
Kane credits the department’ s strong culture of compliance for giving him the freedom to innovate within these constraints.
“ We have a strong culture of compliance,” he says.“ We have, of course, data governance, we have IT security, emergency management and disaster recovery. That culture of compliance is already in place and that is fantastic, and it really gives me the
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