Fortifying Patient Care Through Resilient Cloud Security

In Part 1 of this three-part series of how NHS organisations can do more with less through strategic technology investment, we explored how leveraging cloud solutions can enhance patient care and operational efficiency, helping ensure healthcare organisations are future-ready.

In this instalment, we focus on cloud security — an essential foundation for protecting patient data, maintaining service continuity and driving clinical outcomes.

NHS Trusts face immense pressure to enhance patient care, safeguard sensitive data and ensure critical applications remain consistently available. And following Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s pledge to “free up money for frontline services,” and the creation of a blueprint to turbo charge AI adoption, it's more important than ever to help ensure that when NHS Trusts and ICB’s are transforming their digital infrastructure they are doing so in a sustainable way.

With digital transformation rapidly reshaping the healthcare landscape, NHS trusts and providers are recognising the need for a smarter approach — one that prioritises robust security through resilient applications and comprehensive business continuity planning.

Yet misconceptions linger. Some trusts still equate a single SaaS rollout with a full cloud roadmap, while others assume every cloud is automatically public. The reality is more nuanced — and far more promising — when healthcare leaders embrace a tailored strategy that addresses immediate needs while positioning them for future success.

Why hybrid cloud is key to NHS resilience

According to the HIPAA Journal, the average cost of a healthcare data breach reached a record $11 million in 2024 — nearly double the losses seen in other industries. Healthcare remains the costliest sector for data breaches, as patient records are a prime target for cybercriminals, fuelling identity fraud, false claims, and even blackmail. A successful ransomware attack can halt clinical services, as seen in recent incidents that postponed thousands of appointments.

Given these stakes, application resiliency and iron‑clad continuity are non‑negotiable. A hybrid cloud design – blending agile public‑cloud analytics with the control of private cloud – delivers just that. It keeps sensitive data sovereign, satisfies regulatory demands and ensures clinicians can always access the information they need, precisely when they need it.

A sovereign solution built for healthcare

Rackspace Technology has spent decades refining cloud strategies for highly regulated sectors. Our Sovereign UK Healthcare Cloud is purpose‑built for NHS workloads, managed entirely within UK borders and isolated from global platforms. It enables trusts to deploy EPR systems and adjacent applications on infrastructure that is secure, compliant and instantly scalable. “It gives us the benefit of built‑in security at a government‑mandated level,” said Nigel Tazzyman, Deputy Director of ICT at CNWL NHS Foundation Trust.

Layer on managed security services and private cloud AI, and the defence becomes even stronger. Industry data shows that organisations using AI‑driven security shave nearly 100 days off breach containment times and cut related costs by almost half. That speed and savings translate directly into safer patient care and greater financial headroom for innovation.

Whether you are beginning your cloud journey or pushing toward full modernisation, Rackspace stands ready to help. Our mix of end-to-end expertise, partnerships and healthcare specific solutions empowers NHS trusts to build resilient digital foundations, safeguard patient data and deliver care without compromise.

Visit Rackspace today to find out how we can address your healthcare technology challenges and find solutions that generate results →