--- title: "HIMSS Survey: Healthcare Warming Up to the Cloud" description: A new study by HIMSS Analytics reveals increasing prominence of cloud technology in the healthcare field. --- [Log in to the CyberHealth™ Platform](http://cyberhealth.cleardata.com/) [Talk to a Cloud Expert](https://www.cleardata.com/consultation/) [![Clear data](https://cspm.cleardata.com/hubfs/Cleardata_February2025/images/cleardata-logo.svg)](https://www.cleardata.com/) - [CSPM for Healthcare](https://www.cleardata.com/cspm) - - [Safeguards: HIPAA, HITRUST, GDPR, ISO, NIST, PCI](https://www.cleardata.com/cspm/#cspm-features) - [Automated Compliance](https://www.cleardata.com/cspm/#cspm-features) - [Cloud Risk Identification & Remediation](https://www.cleardata.com/cspm/#cspm-features) - [Compliance Risk Scores](https://www.cleardata.com/cspm/#cspm-features) - [PHI Leak Discovery](https://www.cleardata.com/cspm/#cspm-features) - [Audit-Ready Reporting](https://www.cleardata.com/cspm/#cspm-features) - Services - 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[Healthcare Cloud Compliance](https://www.cleardata.com/healthcare-cloud-compliance/) - [Analytics & Reporting](https://www.cleardata.com/analytics-reporting/) - [GxP for Life Sciences](https://www.cleardata.com/gxp-life-sciences/) - [EHR Deployments in the Cloud](https://www.cleardata.com/ehr-cloud-deployments/) - Resources - - [View All](https://www.cleardata.com/resources/) - [Blog](https://www.cleardata.com/blog/) - [What Is Compliance Debt?](https://www.cleardata.com/blog/eliminating-compliance-debt-the-key-to-healthcare-tech-innovation/) - [Customer Stories](https://www.cleardata.com/stories/) - [Events](https://www.cleardata.com/events/) - [About](https://www.cleardata.com/about-us/) - - [Leadership Team](https://www.cleardata.com/about-us/leadership-team/) - [Careers](https://www.cleardata.com/about-us/careers/) - [News](https://www.cleardata.com/about-us/news/) - [Partners](https://www.cleardata.com/supported-clouds/) [Events](https://cspm.cleardata.com/cleardata-blog/tag/events) # HIMSS Survey: Healthcare Warming Up to the Cloud April 1, 2015 3 minute read [mailto:?body=https://cspm.cleardata.com/cleardata-blog/blog/himss-survey-healthcare](mailto:?body=https://cspm.cleardata.com/cleardata-blog/blog/himss-survey-healthcare) ### [![2024-Threat-Report-data-1](https://cspm.cleardata.com/hubfs/Cleardata_February2025/images/2024-Threat-Report-data-1.jpg) Guide 2024 Healthcare Threat Report Learn More](https://www.cleardata.com/resources/healthcare-threat-report/) #### Table of Contents A new study by HIMSS Analytics reveals increasing prominence of cloud technology in the healthcare field. The results are presented in the [2014 HIMSS Analytics Cloud Survey](http://www.himss.org/library/healthcare-privacy-security/cloud-security/security-survey). ### 5 out of 6 providers use cloud When the association polled management officials at healthcare providers last year about their use of cloud, the results show that the computing method is becoming standardly accepted: 5 in 6 (83%) said that they have cloud systems currently deployed. The most widely used form of cloud tech is software-as-a-service, which is now in use by 67% of the providers. ### Adoption now and in the future – 92% Although 83% already represents the vast majority of the industry, most of the remaining 17% (9%) are in a cloud planning stage. Only 6% said explicitly that they would not use cloud, while the remaining 2% were unsure. In other words, “92% of healthcare providers now and in the future see the value of cloud [services](https://www.cleardata.com/services-descriptions/) for their organizations,” Columbus explained. ### Cloud service categories & reasons for adoption Cloud-delivered software is the most commonly used technology, with providers using each category of cloud service as follows: - Software-as-a-service – 67% - Infrastructure-as-a-service – 16% - Platform-as-a-service  – 2%. When asked why their companies use the cloud, healthcare executives cited three top reasons: bolstering their technological strength (48%), cutting costs (46%), and shortening application development windows (45%). ### Types of applications & types of cloud The society’s analysts were also interested in what types of computing tasks were being migrated to cloud. The top three responses were: - Real-time data processing for clinical apps – 44% - Health information exchange (HIPAA-compliant transfer of health data between providers, government offices, and data clearinghouses) – 39% - Backup & business continuity – 35%. They also wanted to know the extent to which healthcare firms were using public clouds versus private ones. Most companies were leaning toward private cloud, with 37% using that model vs. 23% public deployments and 36% public/private hybrids. The issue of public and private is explored in greater detail below. ### Use within the organization Cloud is most prevalent as a solution for administrative (finance, operations, human resources, etc. ) and IT needs – with 73% of companies using the technology in each of those areas. Meanwhile, 52% of providers use cloud in clinical [environments](https://www.cleardata.com/cleardata-managed-services-regulated-environments/). The survey responses also revealed that cloud is becoming more widely used throughout organizations, with 22% of companies using the computing model in six or more departments. ### Public vs. private healthcare cloud The issue of public vs. private architecture is critical since it’s a point of confusion for so many organizations. Understandably, healthcare companies are incredibly concerned with [HIPAA](https://www.cleardata.com/healthcare-cloud-compliance/) regulations – no one wants to end up on the Department of Health and Human Services’ [Wall of Shame](https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/breach/breach_report.jsf) for failing to achieve [compliance](https://www.cleardata.com/blog/soc-2-audit-what-you-need-to-know/). How do public and private compare? According to [Bill Hackenberger of HighCloud](http://healthitsecurity.com/2013/06/25/healthcare-public-and-private-cloud-security-best-practices/), “It is just as safe in the [public cloud](https://www.cleardata.com/partners/) as most private clouds.” He adds that whichever type of environment you are in, your data should be “encrypted and protected so even if a hacker gets through a firewall, the underlying data is encrypted and the keys are managed in a separate location.” While you may think that encryption is a no-brainer, many organizations don’t do it, including Anthem – which is [one of the reasons](http://thenextweb.com/insider/2015/02/05/us-medical-insurer-anthem-hacked-80-million-records-stolen/) the 2014-2015 breach of 80 million user records was so devastating. Of course, [encryption isn’t everything](http://thehealthcareblog.com/blog/2015/02/09/anthem-was-right-not-to-encrypt/), as firmly argued by Fred Trotter in The Health Care Blog/ ### Working with a healthcare cloud expert Not all clouds are created equal. Cloud companies that provide services to a wide variety of industries lack deep expertise in healthcare regulations and compliance. Simply claiming to be HIPAA compliant isn’t enough, the result is unnecessary [risk](https://www.cleardata.com/risk-visualization-prioritization/). The [ClearDATA](https://www.cleardata.com/) HealthDATA™ Cloud [Platform](https://www.cleardata.com/cleardata-cyber-health-platform/), the only cloud infrastructure **built exclusively for healthcare** and managed by a team of [healthcare compliance](https://www.cleardata.com/blog/guide-to-healthcare-compliance-in-the-cloud/), security and technology experts. Secure Your Healthcare Cloud ## Speak with a healthcare cybersecurity and compliance expert today. [Speak with an expert](https://www.cleardata.com/consultation/) ### [![How to Leverage Amazon Bedrock With Your Healthcare Cloud](https://cspm.cleardata.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/amazon-bedrock-2.jpg) Blog How to Leverage Amazon Bedrock With Your Healthcare Cloud](https://cspm.cleardata.com/cleardata-blog/blog/how-to-use-amazon-bedrock-with-your-healthcare-cloud) ### [![Mastering Healthcare Cloud Management: A Step-by-Step Guide ](https://cspm.cleardata.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/shutterstock_2496584797-Sep-18-2025-09-18-36-1151-PM.jpg) Blog Mastering Healthcare Cloud Management: A Step-by-Step Guide ](https://cspm.cleardata.com/cleardata-blog/blog/6-considerations-for-evaluating-diy-cloud-management) ### [HIPAA: Do You Need Proof of Encryption?](https://cspm.cleardata.com/cleardata-blog/blog/hipaa-do-you-need-proof-of-encryption) [![Clear data](https://cspm.cleardata.com/hubfs/Cleardata_February2025/images/cleardata-logo.svg "Clear data")](https://www.cleardata.com/) - [CSPM for Healthcare](https://www.cleardata.com/cspm) - [Safeguards: HIPAA, HITRUST, GDPR, ISO, NIST, PCI](https://www.cleardata.com/cspm/#cspm-features) - [Automated Compliance](https://www.cleardata.com/cspm/#cspm-features) - [Cloud Risk Identification & Remediation](https://www.cleardata.com/cspm/#cspm-features) - [Compliance Risk Scores](https://www.cleardata.com/cspm/#cspm-features) - [PHI Leak Discovery](https://www.cleardata.com/cspm/#cspm-features) - [Audit-Ready Reporting](https://www.cleardata.com/cspm/#cspm-features) - Services - Managed Services - [Cloud Compliance](https://www.cleardata.com/cloud-compliance/) - [Managed Detection & Response](https://www.cleardata.com/cspm/managed-detection-and-response/) - [Cloud Operations](https://www.cleardata.com/cspm/cloud-operations/) - [Professional Services](https://www.cleardata.com/cspm/cloud-transformation/) - [Cloud Migration & Modernization](https://www.cleardata.com/cspm/cloud-transformation/#migration) - [Cloud Assessments](https://www.cleardata.com/cspm/cloud-transformation/#assessments) - [End-To-End Cloud Resilience](https://www.cleardata.com/cspm/cloud-transformation/#end2end) - Solutions - By Market - [Healthcare Software & Services](https://www.cleardata.com/solutions-by-market/healthcare-software-services/) - [Medical Devices & Equipment](https://www.cleardata.com/solutions-by-market/medical-devices-equipment/) - [Healthcare Providers](https://www.cleardata.com/solutions-by-market/healthcare-providers/) - [Healthcare Payers](https://www.cleardata.com/solutions-by-market/healthcare-payers/) - By Topic - [Risk Visualization & Prioritization](https://www.cleardata.com/risk-visualization-prioritization/) - [Threat Detection & Protection](https://www.cleardata.com/security-threat-protection/) - [Cost & Performance Optimization](https://www.cleardata.com/cost-performance-optimization/) - [Healthcare Cloud Compliance](https://www.cleardata.com/healthcare-cloud-compliance/) - [Analytics & Reporting](https://www.cleardata.com/analytics-reporting/) - [GxP For Life Sciences](https://www.cleardata.com/gxp-life-sciences/) - [EHR Deployments In The Cloud](https://www.cleardata.com/ehr-cloud-deployments/) - Resources - [View All](https://www.cleardata.com/resources) - [Blog](https://www.cleardata.com/blog/) - [What Is Compliance Debt?](https://www.cleardata.com/blog/eliminating-compliance-debt-the-key-to-healthcare-tech-innovation/) - [Events](https://www.cleardata.com/events/) - [Customer Stories](https://www.cleardata.com/cloud-case-studies/) - About - [Leadership Team](https://www.cleardata.com/about-us/leadership-team/) - [Careers](https://www.cleardata.com/about-us/careers/) - [News](https://www.cleardata.com/about-us/news/) - [Cloud Partners](https://www.cleardata.com/supported-clouds) - [Microsoft Azure](https://www.cleardata.com/cspm/microsoft-azure/) - [Amazon Web Services (AWS)](https://www.cleardata.com/cspm/aws/) - [Google Cloud Platform](https://www.cleardata.com/cspm/google-cloud/) © 2026 CLEARDATA All rights reserved - [Privacy Policy](https://www.cleardata.com/legal/privacy-policy) - [Notice of Copyright Infringement](https://www.cleardata.com/legal/notice-of-copyright-infringement) - [Acceptable Use Policy](https://www.cleardata.com/legal/acceptable-use-policy/) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "ClearDATA", "url" : "https://cspm.cleardata.com/cleardata-blog/author/cleardata" }, "dateModified" : "2025-09-18T21:24:12.738Z", "datePublished" : "2015-04-01T19:16:35.000Z", "headline" : "HIMSS Survey: Healthcare Warming Up to the Cloud", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://cspm.cleardata.com/cleardata-blog/blog/himss-survey-healthcare", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://cspm.cleardata.com/hubfs/ClearDATA-logo-1540.png" } } } ```