1. YOU ACCEPTED TO JOIN THE TECH 4 HEALTH 2026 SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE. WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS COLLECTIVE ENDEAVOR?
I am delighted to once again be part of the 2026 edition of Tech 4 Health, alongside other actors from the ecosystem in a multidisciplinary Scientific Committee. The diversity of profiles and perspectives is key to creating a differentiated, high-quality program that is closely connected to real-world healthcare challenges.
2. THE THEME OF THIS EDITION IS “CONNECT AND SECURE TO IMPROVE CARE.” WHAT DOES THIS THEME MEAN TO YOU IN YOUR AREA OF EXPERTISE?
The 2026 theme, "Connect and Secure to Improve Care," highlights the importance of linking different healthcare stakeholders (hospitals, doctors, laboratories, patients, etc.) through digital technologies that enable better information exchange and smooth communication. This facilitates a more coordinated care pathway while emphasizing the need to protect data in order to optimize patient care. By connecting systems and securing data, healthcare professionals can make better-informed decisions, monitor patients more effectively, and provide personalized treatments.
3. WHAT ARE THE MAIN CHALLENGES HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS STILL FACE IN TERMS OF DATA SECURITY?
Healthcare organizations face several major obstacles in securing data, which can delay the implementation of robust security measures and limit their ability to effectively protect patient information:
- Limited budgets: Healthcare institutions often have restricted budgets, limiting their ability to invest in modern security solutions.
- Complex IT systems: Existing systems may be outdated or disparate, making security integration difficult. Integrating security solutions into these complex systems can be a real challenge.
- Lack of awareness and training: Staff are often insufficiently trained on cybersecurity issues, and a lack of awareness increases the risk of human error.
- Rapidly evolving threats: Cyber threats evolve quickly, and organizations may struggle to keep up with new attacks and hacking techniques.
- Difficulty establishing consistent security policies: Different units within the same institution (hospital, laboratory, administrative services) may have unaligned practices and policies, complicating overall security.
- Regulations and compliance: Although regulations such as GDPR impose security standards, implementation can be complex and costly, especially for smaller structures. Organizational culture: Some organizations may have a culture that undervalues data security, hindering adherence to best practices.
- Partnerships and collaborations: Data exchanges between different actors (hospitals, laboratories, pharmaceutical companies) can create vulnerabilities if partners do not follow the same security standards.
Note:
In my opinion, the security of data and healthcare systems, mainly relating to regulations or cyber risks, is not directly part of my professional domain. I could have responded more effectively to other questions closer to my area of expertise.
4. WHICH INTERNATIONAL BEST PRACTICES COULD INSPIRE FRANCE AND EUROPE?
By drawing on international best practices, France and Europe can move towards better-connected and more secure healthcare systems, thus promoting higher-quality care. Examples include:
- System interoperability: The model of health data interoperability in Australia can inspire France and Europe. The country has developed standards to enable secure and efficient data sharing across different healthcare systems.
- Use of blockchain: Pilot projects in Estonia have explored blockchain to secure electronic health records, ensuring data integrity. This approach could inspire similar technologies in Europe to enhance medical record security and build patient trust.
- Use of AI: In the UK, AI is used to analyze health data while respecting privacy, improving diagnosis and patient follow-up. Inspiration for France and Europe: encourage research and pilot projects on AI use to optimize care while ensuring data security.
- Patient-centered data access: In Sweden, patients can access their own medical records online, helping them better understand and manage their health. Inspiration: promote initiatives in Europe that provide patients with secure access to their health data to enhance engagement in their care pathways.
- Public-private partnerships: In Singapore, collaborations between the government and private sector have been established to develop secure digital health infrastructures. Inspiration: foster collaborations between public and private actors in Europe to innovate in health technologies while ensuring security.
