Bethesda Health Group Delivers Personalized Resident Care, Enhances Security, and Saves Six Figures with HPE Aruba Networking Expansion
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Insights
The integration of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) into Bethesda Health Group's IT infrastructure represents a significant enhancement in their cybersecurity posture. The shift from traditional VPN solutions to a SASE framework, which incorporates zero trust network access (ZTNA), secure web gateway (SWG) and cloud access security broker (CASB) services, aligns with the industry's best practices for protecting sensitive healthcare data. This move is particularly pertinent given the increasing number of cyber threats targeting the healthcare sector.
From a cybersecurity perspective, the adoption of a cloud-first strategy with an emphasis on ZTNA ensures that access to applications and data is strictly controlled and monitored based on user identity and context. This granular level of access control reduces the attack surface and mitigates the risk of data breaches. The use of SWG and CASB further fortifies Bethesda's defense against web-based threats and unauthorized data sharing, which is critical for compliance with healthcare regulations such as HIPAA.
Overall, this strategic investment by Bethesda Health Group not only enhances their security but also demonstrates a proactive approach to cybersecurity, which can foster trust among stakeholders, including residents, their families and investors. This trust is crucial for maintaining the company's reputation in the long term.
Bethesda Health Group's adoption of HPE Aruba Networking's SSE solution is indicative of the broader trend in healthcare towards digital transformation and cloud adoption. The integration with existing HPE Aruba Networking infrastructure, including EdgeConnect SD-WAN, Wi-Fi APs and CX Series Switches, creates a robust ecosystem that can handle the increasing data demands of modern healthcare operations.
By leveraging AI-powered management and role-based network access control (NAC), Bethesda is positioning itself to improve operational efficiency and patient care. The ability to securely manage access to applications such as Electronic Health Records (EHR), Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) and billing systems is critical for healthcare providers. It ensures that sensitive patient data is protected, while also enabling caregivers to access the information they need to provide timely and effective care.
Furthermore, the cost savings from eliminating legacy MPLS connections, as mentioned by Mike Keller, Director of Technology for Bethesda, can be significant. These funds can be reallocated to further IT enhancements or patient care initiatives, potentially providing a competitive advantage in the healthcare market.
The financial implications of Bethesda Health Group's decision to enhance its networking infrastructure with HPE Aruba Networking's SSE are multifaceted. The initial investment in cutting-edge technology, while potentially substantial, can lead to significant cost savings in the long run. As noted, the elimination of MPLS telecommunications connections resulted in six-figure savings over the contract's life. Such cost-efficiencies can improve Bethesda's financial performance by reducing operational expenses.
The investment in advanced cybersecurity and network management solutions can also have a positive impact on the company's risk profile. By mitigating the risk of costly data breaches and improving compliance with regulatory requirements, Bethesda may reduce potential liabilities and insurance costs associated with cyber risks. This proactive approach to IT security can be a value proposition to investors who are increasingly aware of the financial and reputational damage associated with cybersecurity incidents.
In terms of stock market implications, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE: HPE) may see a positive reflection on its share value as use cases like Bethesda's highlight the effectiveness and demand for its products. This could potentially attract more clients in the healthcare sector and beyond, signaling growth opportunities for HPE's networking and security solutions.
Leading continuum of care provider adds security for its cloud-first environment by embracing Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) with HPE Aruba Networking Security Service Edge (SSE)
To securely and seamlessly provide innovative, individualized, and compassionate care, Bethesda Health Group is adding HPE Aruba Networking SSE to its end-to-end HPE Aruba Networking solution. (Source: Bethesda Health Care)
The expansion builds upon Bethesda Health Group’s existing wired, wireless, and Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) security with a fully cloud-delivered Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) platform that mobilizes 1,100 Bethesda caregivers across two states and connects several thousand residents to their care teams, families, and friends.
“Adding HPE Aruba Networking SSE to our networking infrastructure to gain a full SASE solution is critical to securing our cloud-first organization and meeting evolving customer expectations,” said Mike Keller, Director of Technology for 134-year-old Bethesda. “Many of the seniors we serve today have relied upon computing technologies at work and in their personal lives. They value cybersecurity protections and expect us to safeguard their personal data – regardless of where it resides, while ensuring that staff can rapidly and securely access assets for delivering exceptional care.”
Collaborating with trusted partner InterVision, Bethesda started the journey by first migrating away from its incumbent Cisco networking infrastructure to adopt HPE Aruba Networking EdgeConnect SD-WAN. This provided Bethesda with a secure, centrally-managed, high-performance WAN that reduces costs and dependencies on legacy Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) telecommunications connections. “In addition to obtaining technological advances from EdgeConnect, eliminating MPLS saved us six figures over the life of the contract,”
Subsequently, the organization standardized on market-leading HPE Aruba Networking Wi-Fi access points (APs) for wireless connectivity, and HPE Aruba Networking’s CX Series Switches for wired networking. The organization also adopted HPE Aruba Networking Central, for AI-powered management, along with HPE Aruba Networking ClearPass, for role-based network access control (NAC) of wired and wireless endpoints and IoT solutions.
With the most recent addition of HPE Aruba Networking SSE, Bethesda is now able to provide their users with fast, secure access to private and externally managed applications and improve IT staff visibility into access events. Added capabilities include zero trust network access (ZTNA), secure web gateway (SWG), and cloud access security broker (CASB)—all consolidated into a single, easy-to-use cloud service that automatically adapts policies based on changes in user, device, and application context.
“No matter which application our staff needs to access, whether it’s the EHR, HRIS, or billing, deploying HPE Aruba Networking SSE enables us to grant access only to the exact applications a staff member needs, unlike our legacy VPN that introduced risk by providing access to every application on our network,” said
Bethesda is excited about the benefits of standardizing on a complete, unified networking and security solution from HPE Aruba Networking. “We’ve gained comprehensive networking infrastructure that is cost-effective to own, easy to maintain, and scalable for meeting our future needs,” said
HPE Aruba Networking SSE is the further development of Axis Security’s cloud-based SSE platform acquired by HPE earlier in 2023. This expands the capabilities of HPE Aruba Networking’s edge-to-cloud security portfolio, building on HPE Aruba Networking’s existing EdgeConnect secure SD-WAN and next-generation firewall capabilities. The combination provides a complete edge-to-cloud unified SASE solution, ensuring Zero Trust security controls can be applied to people and devices, no matter where they connect, whether on campus, at a branch, in a home, or on the road.
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About Hewlett Packard Enterprise
Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE: HPE) is the global edge-to-cloud company that helps organizations accelerate outcomes by unlocking value from all of their data, everywhere. Built on decades of reimagining the future and innovating to advance the way people live and work, HPE delivers unique, open, and intelligent technology solutions as a service. With offerings spanning Cloud Services, Compute, High Performance Computing & AI, Intelligent Edge, Software, and Storage, HPE provides a consistent experience across all clouds and edges, helping customers develop new business models, engage in new ways, and increase operational performance. For more information, visit: www.hpe.com
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240228016461/en/
Kari Curto
kari.curto@hpe.com
Source: Hewlett Packard Enterprise
FAQ
What security solution is Bethesda Health Group adding to its network infrastructure?
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