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Category: AWS Well-Architected

Service Organisation Control (SOC) compliance is necessary for any business that handles sensitive data, like financial records or healthcare data, through Amazon Web Services (AWS). 

Australian firms may need a SOC audit from an accredited organisation to ensure compliance and maintain the highest level of data protection. Learn how an AWS specialist like WOLK can help you prepare for a SOC audit and ensure the safe handling and storage of your most sensitive data.

The Five Trust Services Criteria

The versions of SOC that work best with AWS—SOC 2 and SOC 3—are based on five key principles known as the Five Trust Services Criteria:

  • Security. Protecting the data from unauthorised access, such as data breaches, misuse, or destruction.
  • Availability. Monitoring the systems hosting the data to ensure their continued availability to authorised users and clients.
  • Processing integrity. Ensuring the systems processing the sensitive data produce complete, valid, and accurate outputs, preventing errors or unintended modifications as much as possible.
  • Confidentiality. Protecting sensitive data or the confidential information it contains from restricted access or disclosure, such as proprietary data or a client’s personal information.

To comply with either version of SOC, you must meet the Security criteria. Depending on your industry or business sector, you might also need to follow some or all of the other four trust services criteria.

Achieving SOC Compliance on AWS

Amazon handles compliance at the infrastructure level, meaning compliance is only guaranteed for the hardware and networking connections on which your data resides. Your organisation is responsible for security and compliance at all other levels: software, data, applications, and user access rights under the Shared Responsibility Model.

Businesses using AWS to manage sensitive data can tap into specific resources to help prepare for an audit and simplify the compliance process.

  • AWS Artifact. This resource allows your organisation to view the AWS SOC Reports and other audit documentation, such as ISO 27001. You can show copies of these reports to reduce your audit burden and demonstrate the infrastructure’s compliance.
  • AWS CloudTrail. This tool provides logging and auditing of all AWS accounts and activity in your AWS environment, such as user access or API calls. They are necessary for Security and Processing Integrity compliance.
  • AWS Config. This service monitors and records all configuration changes in your AWS environment, such as alterations to a security group, helping with Security and Availability compliance.
  • AWS KMS. Key Management Service (KMS) is a commonly used AWS service that lets organisations create and enforce strong data encryption and key management standards, which can help with Confidentiality and Privacy compliance.

Let WOLK Help You Prepare for a SOC Audit

Cloud computing and AWS experts like WOLK can help assess your needs and prepare you for a SOC audit. We handle everything from broad Well-Architected Reviews to gap assessments and specialized tasks like compliance monitoring and security checks. Every business is different—reach out to our team to learn how we can support yours.

Many Australian organisations rely on cloud-based services like Amazon Web Services (AWS) to store and manage sensitive business data. If you’re considering moving your business operations to the cloud, it’s essential to understand and follow top security and audit frameworks.

One widely recognised standard is System and Organization Controls 2 (SOC 2), an internationally acknowledged framework initially developed in the United States. Learn about the best practices for SOC compliance and how the AWS experts at WOLK can help you navigate them.

The Main Objectives of SOC Compliance

SOC 2 covers five principles called Trust Services Criteria (TSC), which outline its main benefits, including:

  • Security. Keeping sensitive data safe from unauthorised access at rest, when accessed, transferred, or deleted.
  • Availability. Ensuring your organisation’s data resources are always accessible by maximising uptime and implementing data backup and disaster recovery measures.
  • Processing integrity. Implementing measures to verify sensitive business data is complete, accurate, valid, and processed correctly.
  • Confidentiality. Verifying that confidential business information, such as intellectual property or financial information, is protected through access controls and user privilege systems.
  • Privacy. Protecting personal information, as defined in the Privacy Act 1988, from breaches, unauthorized access, or damage, such as healthcare information

Organisations using AWS benefit from Amazon’s Shared Responsibility Model, which ensures that AWS infrastructure and core software meet SOC compliance standards. However, businesses must also ensure that their data, applications, and resources hosted on AWS servers comply with SOC requirements.

SOC Compliance on AWS: Best Practices

AWS offers organisations a variety of tools and measures to help implement and maintain SOC compliance. Here are some key practices to follow:

  • Enforce the principle of least privilege. One of the core aspects of data security is that each user or team member has only the permissions necessary to perform their tasks. AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) allows you to create roles with clearly defined data access rights, serving as the first line of defence against unauthorised access to sensitive business information.
  • Use data encryption protocols. AWS Key Management Services (KMS), CloudHSM, and server-side encryption protocols can help your organisation maintain SOC compliance. They protect your data when stored on the cloud and in transit, limiting the risk of sensitive data being exposed to the public internet.
  • Maintain visibility in your environment. AWS CloudTrail and CloudWatch provide your organisation with logs, metrics, event viewers, and API calls. They give you a full view of your AWS environment, allowing you to detect and address potential security breaches on time.

Contact WOLK For Guidance with SOC Compliance 

Move your organisation to the cloud confidently with WOLK’s AWS team. Our experts can assess your business needs and guide you through creating a secure and SOC-compliant AWS environment. Contact us today to start your migration process.

Migrating your organisation’s operations and business data to the cloud has many security and regulatory benefits, especially with a trusted provider like Amazon Web Services (AWS). 

AWS hardware and infrastructure fully comply with ISO 27001, providing your data a layer of security against tampering, unauthorised access, and unexpected loss. It also helps maintain compliance with Australia’s main data privacy and protection laws, such as the Privacy Act 1988. 

Partner with the AWS experts at WOLK and learn strategies for keeping your organisation’s data safe and compliant with all relevant industry regulations.

Risk Assessment and Security Audits

Under the AWS Shared Responsibility Model, both AWS and your organisation are responsible for keeping data hosted on the cloud safe and compliant with regulatory needs. AWS’s share of the responsibility extends to its hardware, infrastructure, and core software. Your business must implement all necessary security measures and controls within that environment.

WOLK can conduct a risk assessment and perform audits to ensure all of the following meet your data security needs:

  • Identifying security threats. We will use all available tools, such as AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM), AWS Security Hub, and AWS Config, to monitor your cloud environment’s security. We can identify security gaps, potential threats to cloud-stored data, and compliance issues.
  • Usage of data encryption. Our team can check whether your cloud environment efficiently uses tools like AWS Key Management Service (KMS). Data at rest and in transit should be encrypted with secure and ISO 27001-compliant protocols like AES-256.

If configuration discrepancies or gaps are identified, our team can help you make all necessary changes to strengthen security and protect your sensitive business data.

Third-Party Assurance and Certifications

WOLK is an AWS Advanced Consulting Partner and a specialist of the AWS Well-Architected framework. Our team has the resources to help you implement the best practices in data protection, including providing the following:

  • Incident response preparation. We can help you navigate AWS disaster response tools and implement a plan that meets ISO 27001 A.16 incident management requirements.
  • Continuous improvement principle. We can implement a plan to help your business continuously monitor its cloud environment. This plan gives you the means to ensure its continued safety and compliance with the latest versions of ISO 27001.
  • Audit readiness. WOLK can prepare your organisation for an ISO 27001 audit and evidence-gathering process, including implementing an Information Security Management System (ISMS).

Implement and Maintain ISO 27001 Compliance With WOLK

Since 2017, WOLK has supported Australian organisations in securing their data and adhering to regulatory standards. Contact our team today to discuss your cloud security needs.

Let’s explore why downtime and its associated costs have distinct implications for SMBs compared to large enterprises, highlighting the differences in risk tolerance, operational priorities, and financial constraints.

 

In the world of IT and business operations, downtime is often considered a critical metric for performance and reliability. For large enterprises, even a few minutes of downtime can translate to substantial financial losses, reputational damage, and operational disruptions. However, for small businesses (SMBs), the equation looks markedly different. While both large enterprises and SMBs strive to minimize downtime, their approach to managing and prioritizing it varies due to contrasting operational dynamics and resource constraints.

 

The High Stakes of Downtime for Large Enterprises

For large enterprises, downtime is synonymous with lost revenue, reduced productivity, and damaged brand reputation. These organizations often operate on a massive scale, where even minor disruptions can cascade into significant losses – here’s why downtime is a critical concern:

    1. Cost of Lost Productivity: With hundreds or thousands of employees, downtime often means widespread idleness. A large workforce sitting idle for hours translates directly into wasted payroll costs.
    2. Impact on Revenue Streams: Enterprises often operate in high-frequency transactional environments (e.g., e-commerce platforms, financial institutions). A system outage can halt revenue-generating activities, leading to millions in lost sales or penalties.
    3. Reputation and Client Trust: Downtime in customer-facing systems affects client trust. In competitive markets, frequent disruptions can drive customers to competitors, compounding long-term losses.
    4. Operational Complexity: Many large businesses rely on intricate supply chains or just-in-time production models. A delay in one part of the chain often has ripple effects, disrupting production schedules and delivery commitments.
    These high stakes justify significant investments in redundancy, failover systems, and disaster recovery solutions. Large enterprises prioritize uptime at all costs because downtime directly undermines their scale-driven business model.

 

Why SMBs Think Differently About Downtime

In contrast, SMBs operate within a different set of constraints and priorities. For small businesses, downtime, while inconvenient, is often more manageable and less catastrophic. Their approach to downtime reflects a pragmatic balance between operational needs and budget realities:

    1. Smaller Teams, Lower Productivity Impact: In a small business with a handful of employees, a temporary system outage may leave one or two team members idle. The associated productivity loss is unlikely to outweigh the cost of investing in high-end IT infrastructure to prevent such occurrences.
    2. Data, Not Downtime, Is the Bigger Risk: SMBs often prioritize data protection over uptime. For them, the loss of critical customer or financial data is far more damaging than a few hours of downtime. As a result, SMBs are more likely to invest in robust data backup and recovery systems than in high-availability infrastructure.
    3. Tolerating Temporary Disruptions: Many SMBs can afford to tolerate temporary downtime, especially during non-peak hours. Unlike enterprises, which operate on strict schedules, SMBs often have more flexibility to delay tasks or work offline.
    4. Budget Constraints: High-availability IT solutions—like redundant servers, 24/7 support contracts, or multi-cloud failover systems—are often cost-prohibitive for SMBs. Rather than overextending budgets to avoid occasional downtime, SMBs often choose to invest in core business functions, accepting downtime as a calculated risk.
    5. Limited Dependency on Complex IT: Many small businesses rely on simpler, less interdependent IT systems. This reduces the likelihood of cascading failures and means downtime is typically localized to specific tools or systems rather than company-wide operations.

 

A Pragmatic Tradeoff: Uptime vs. Cost

For SMBs, the decision to tolerate downtime is a calculated tradeoff. The cost of implementing enterprise-grade IT infrastructure often outweighs the potential losses from occasional disruptions. This tradeoff becomes even more rational when considering:

    • Frequency of Downtime: SMBs may only experience a few hours of downtime annually. If these disruptions occur infrequently, the cost of mitigation may not justify the investment.
    • Business Type: A retail business with physical operations may be less affected by IT downtime than an online-only store.
    • Peak vs. Off-Peak Hours: SMBs often face fewer losses during off-peak downtime, making investments in 24/7 high-availability systems unnecessary.

 

Balancing Act: Solutions for SMBs
While SMBs may not prioritize uptime to the same extent as large enterprises, they can still take cost-effective steps to manage downtime and mitigate its impact:

    1. Cloud-Based Solutions: Many cloud platforms offer affordable, scalable solutions with built-in redundancies.
    2. Reliable Backups: Investing in automated data backups ensures that critical information is preserved, even during outages.
    3. Prioritized Response Plans: SMBs can implement response plans that focus on restoring the most critical systems first.
    4. Vendor Partnerships: Partnering with IT service providers like WOLK can provide SMBs access to expertise and tools without the overhead of building in-house capabilities.

 

Conclusion
For large enterprises, downtime is a financial and reputational crisis that warrants heavy investment in preventative measures. For SMBs, however, downtime is a manageable inconvenience. By focusing on data protection and adopting cost-effective IT strategies, SMBs can strike a balance between minimizing downtime and staying within budget. Ultimately, the divergent views on downtime reflect the differences in scale, priorities, and risk tolerance that define small and large businesses.

As part of its commitment to data security, Amazon Web Services (AWS) complies with ISO 27001, a globally recognised framework for managing information security. This compliance is crucial for Australian businesses moving to cloud-based services, particularly those dealing with sensitive information like personal, financial, or medical data. Learn how ISO 27001 supports cloud migration and how an AWS expert like WOLK can help protect your data in the cloud.

Understanding AWS ISO 27001 Compliance

ISO 27001, also known as ISO/IEC 27001, is an information security standard recognized worldwide. It provides organisations with a framework to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and continued availability of sensitive data. The framework is built around three core principles:

  • Risk management. ISO 27001 offers guidelines for identifying, assessing, and reducing information security risks. Organisations that comply with these standards can effectively manage and minimise potential security threats.
  • Access control. ISO 27001 recommends implementing strong access management controls to ensure organisation members only have access to the data they need.
  • Continuous monitoring. ISO 27001 outlines best practices for monitoring systems to detect potential intrusions, prevent unauthorised access, and ensure compliance with the latest security protocols.

You benefit from their commitment to ISO 27001 compliance when you use Amazon Web Services. Independent third-party auditors regularly certify AWS, and many services, like Amazon S3, EC2, and AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM), are certified under this standard.

The Role of ISO 27001 in Cloud Migration

Using cloud services with proper security practices is a great way to protect data and ensure client privacy. However, migrating to the cloud can introduce security risks, especially when transferring data.

Improper or non-secure transfer processes can expose data to loss, theft, or access by unauthorised parties. To minimize these risks, ISO 27001 recommends implementing access controls, data backup solutions, and encryption. 

The framework also includes best practices for ongoing risk and compliance assessments. For example, it includes protocols to ensure the data migration does not violate local and international data protection laws.

Benefits of AWS ISO 27001 Compliance for Australian Organisations

Following ISO 27001 principles and using compliant services reduces risks during the cloud migration process and offers the following benefits:

  • Reduced operational risks. AWS ISO 27001 compliance offers Australian companies a systematic approach to identifying, assessing, and addressing data security risks.
  • Enhanced security posture. Following ISO 27001 gives organisations a strong, proactive approach to data protection. It covers threat detection, continuous monitoring, encryption, incident response, and disaster recovery plans.
  • Adherence to Australian law. AWS’s ISO 27001 certification helps ensure compliance with Australian data protection laws, including the Privacy Act 1988.

Discover How WOLK Optimizes Your AWS Infrastructure

Set your organisation up for success and transition into the cloud smoothly by partnering with WOLK. Our cloud experts have the resources to guide you through the cloud migration process, from AWS service guidance to data transfer. Contact our team today to get started with your firm’s cloud migration.

Elevating Healthcare Infrastructure: The Impact of AWS Well-Architected Reviews

The Australian government’s commitment to improving My Health Record drives healthcare providers across the country to upgrade their infrastructure. Providers must securely manage increasingly large volumes of sensitive patient data while complying with Australian law.

The Well-Architected Framework by Amazon Web Services (AWS) provides a scalable, reliable data management system. Learn how WOLK, an AWS specialist, can use the framework to modernise your healthcare facility’s infrastructure while keeping patient data secure and maintaining performance.

Challenges in Australian Healthcare Infrastructure

Healthcare providers in Australia have to protect patient rights and manage sensitive health records responsibly, all while delivering fast and efficient services. This creates several challenges:

  • Compliance. All organisations in Australia that handle personal information, including healthcare providers, must comply with the Privacy Act 1988. The Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) are a set of strictly enforced guidelines governing how data can be collected, used, or disclosed.
  • Data management. With the growth of telehealth and digital records, hospitals and clinics in Australia now manage large amounts of sensitive digital information. Healthcare providers must ensure this data is protected from loss, theft, or misuse to safeguard patient rights.
  • Disruption risk. Caregiving facilities in Australia must comply with Australian law and also be ready to do so efficiently with minimal disruptions. This requires infrastructure that can easily scale and adapt to the organisation’s changing needs.

Key Pillars of AWS Well-Architected Framework

The AWS Well-Architected Framework is a set of best practices for managing data infrastructure, built on six pillars: Operational Excellence, Security, Reliability, Performance Efficiency, Cost Optimisation, and Sustainability.

Following the principles in each allows a healthcare provider to build efficient, secure, and scalable cloud-based systems.

  • Security. Systems that adhere to the Well-Architected Framework’s recommendations encrypt data at rest and in transit, protecting it from unauthorised access from multiple angles.
  • Resilience. Infrastructure that follows the framework can automatically recover from failures by using redundant data centres. Disaster recovery measures ensure quick access restoration, even after events like natural disasters, outages, or cyberattacks.
  • Scalability. Using AWS allows a healthcare provider to scale its services up or down based on current demand, keeping the organisation flexible.

Mitigating Risks Through AWS Well-Architected Reviews

AWS experts like WOLK can perform AWS Well-Architected Reviews to review your cloud infrastructure. Regular reviews offer the following benefits:

  • Strengthen data safety. Our AWS experts will identify any vulnerabilities or security weaknesses in your systems and then implement patches or strengthening methods.
  • Compliance checks. An AWS review will also ensure your system’s continued compliance with the Privacy Act, APPs, and all applicable local laws.
  • Continued service. Our AWS specialists can help you find and implement convenient solutions to automate service continuity, such as automatically shifting traffic to healthy servers.

Optimize Your Healthcare Infrastructure With WOLK

The AWS team at WOLK can help your hospital, clinic, or healthcare facility with its cloud infrastructure. Contact our team today and learn how we can elevate your data management capabilities.

Did you know that in 2023, Australia’s healthcare sector reported 104 data breaches in just the second half of the year? Malicious attacks accounted for 67% of these breaches, and system migrations make healthcare organizations more vulnerable to these incidents. 

Because healthcare providers manage millions of patients’ sensitive information, ensuring data security during these transitions has never been more critical. With strict regulations like the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) in place, safeguarding this data is not just a priority—it’s a necessity!

One of the toughest challenges for healthcare providers is safely moving data to upgraded systems. It’s important to understand the risks involved in this process, the best practices to reduce those risks, and how AWS experts at WOLK can help you navigate the transition securely.

Risks and Challenges in Healthcare Data Migration

While modern cloud-based infrastructure is highly secure for protecting healthcare data, the migration process can still introduce several security risks, including:

  • Data breach risk. Moving data from older, local systems to cloud-based solutions can expose sensitive information to unauthorised access if proper security measures aren’t in place.
  • Risk of data loss. Delaying system upgrades increases the chances of data loss or corruption due to downtime or system incompatibilities. If the transfer is incomplete, files and records may become corrupted.
  • Compliance requirements. Even when upgrading to compliant hardware and infrastructure, the migration process must meet all legal requirements. Healthcare providers need to ensure that every step of the migration adheres to the Privacy Act and relevant state privacy laws.

Best Practices for Secure and Seamless Data Migration

Healthcare providers must fulfil three objectives when migrating to a modern cloud-based infrastructure system: maintain data accuracy, maximise uptime, and compliance. Here are the best practices to meet these objectives:

  • Data mapping. In healthcare, data mapping is a process that ensures all important patient information is transferred accurately during system upgrades. For instance, if an older system stored birthdates in a different format, data mapping makes sure the birthdates are correctly converted to the new format before being saved in the updated system. This helps maintain the accuracy and integrity of patient records.
  • Uptime. Minimising downtime is essential for healthcare facilities to keep providing care without interruptions. Techniques like phased data migrations, setting up backup systems, and scheduling data transfers during quieter times can help ensure services continue running smoothly.
  • Compliance during transfers. Healthcare providers can stay compliant by following strict data handling standards. This includes using strong access controls to limit who can access data and encrypting files during transfers to upgraded systems to protect sensitive information.

Protect Patient Data With WOLK

Don’t risk the security of your patients’ sensitive data by attempting a complex migration alone. The data security and cloud experts at WOLK are ready to ensure a seamless transition that meets the highest standards of compliance. Contact our team to safeguard your healthcare facility’s future and protect your patients’ trust—before it’s too late.

Digital healthcare in Australia is advancing quickly, with exciting developments such as the modernisation of the government’s My Health Record system and the growing popularity of telehealth services. These changes highlight the increasing importance of secure, purpose-built infrastructure in the healthcare sector.

For Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), having secure, high-performance IT infrastructure is crucial for deploying healthcare software and complying with regulations. Partnering with an AWS specialist like WOLK can help you manage, set up, and optimise a secure cloud-based infrastructure that meets all your needs.

Why High-Performance IT Infrastructure Is Crucial for Healthcare ISVs

High-performance IT infrastructure includes powerful cloud computing servers, platforms, storage solutions, and networking tools. For ISVs in the healthcare industry, this kind of infrastructure is essential for hosting and delivering software to hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities.

Healthcare software providers need reliable, high-performance infrastructure to ensure their software and client facilities run smoothly. This infrastructure keeps everything running at top speed, with maximum uptime and efficient data delivery—ultimately improving patient care and operational efficiency. 

In addition, cloud-based solutions are often more cost-effective than managing independent, on-premises servers, which require pricey hardware and dedicated IT specialists at each facility.

How Cloud Technology Simplifies Integration and Setup

ISVs use cloud platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS) to host and deliver their services because of the numerous benefits these technologies offer. Cloud computing simplifies the integration and setup of software solutions in several key ways:

  • Scalability. ISVs can easily scale their resources up or down based on their clients’ needs without any service disruption. This approach is much more flexible and quicker than traditional on-premises solutions, which usually involve installing or removing hardware to adjust capacity.
  • Real-time data processing. Cloud services enable real-time data processing and analysis, which is crucial for healthcare applications that demand instant access to patient information. For instance, during emergency room visits or when monitoring critical care patients, healthcare providers need immediate access to the latest medical records and vital signs to make quick, life-saving decisions.
  • Virtualisation. Cloud infrastructure provides ISVs access to virtual computers and operating systems, ensuring their software runs smoothly across various devices and enabling quicker deployment.

Staying Compliant and Secure With Advanced IT Solutions

Australian healthcare facilities must comply with various regulations, from the nationwide Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) to each state’s Health Records Acts. To ensure compliance, Healthcare ISVs use the latest IT infrastructure solutions. They offer benefits like:

  • Built-in compliance. The latest-generation IT infrastructure includes built-in compliance features, allowing ISVs to easily deploy compliant software.
  • Disaster recovery tools. ISVs can use their IT platform’s automated backups, failover systems, and encryption protocols to protect and recover healthcare data after a breach.
  • Secure storage. Compliant infrastructure also offers ISVs real-time data security at rest and in transit. These solutions protect client healthcare facilities from man-in-the-middle attacks and other intrusions.

Secure Your Future in Digital Healthcare With WOLK

WOLK’s AWS team has in-depth knowledge of cloud-based infrastructure and can help you set up the secure, high-performance servers you need. Contact our team today to discuss your cloud security needs.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) supports the productivity and data security needs of Australian organisations in all sectors, including the healthcare industry. In addition to compliance with Australia’s data protection laws, AWS solutions can help healthcare facilities identify and address security challenges without impacting teamwork and collaboration. 

Find out how an AWS expert like WOLK can help your healthcare facility migrate to AWS and modernise its processes.

The Importance of Patient Data Security in Healthcare

Data breaches regularly expose private or highly sensitive information, exposing victims to an increased risk of identity theft, fraud, scams, and financial losses. Many Australian laws and data protection regulations are designed to protect healthcare data and patient information. Examples include the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) and the Notifiable Data Breaches (NDB) scheme.

Despite these measures, healthcare providers across the country are vulnerable to patient data breaches. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) reported 104 healthcare organisation breach notifications from July to December 2023, up from 63 from January to June.

Challenges in Healthcare Data Management

Healthcare organisations must handle patients’ personally identifiable information and medical records, introducing many data security risks and challenges:

  • Increased cyber threats. Healthcare facilities in Australia are often the target of cyber attacks such as ransomware or phishing, increasing the need for cybersecurity measures.
  • Compliance challenges. Healthcare organisations must comply with the APPs, report breaches with the NDB, and follow all other applicable laws to avoid sanctions and protect patient trust.
  • Data integrity risks. Failing to keep a healthcare facility’s IT systems secure and up-to-date increases the risk of corrupting sensitive data or rendering it unavailable.
  • Storage and access challenges. Healthcare facilities must process, store, and secure large volumes of data. They must also ensure that data is remotely accessible by healthcare providers for efficient telemedicine.

AWS Solutions for Secure Healthcare Workspaces

Amazon Web Services (AWS) includes a range of secure, efficient solutions designed to enhance your healthcare facility’s data security. These solutions comply with Australian data security standards without impacting productivity or workflow efficiency.

  • AWS WorkSpaces. This secure, remotely accessible Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) facilitates access to sensitive patient data while keeping it safe with encryption at rest and in transit.
  • Identity and Access Management (IAM). With IAM, define and configure precise security roles for each healthcare worker, ensuring each team member only has access to the data they need.
  • AWS CloudTrail. Gain access to detailed user activity logs, detect who accesses what data, and give your healthcare facility the tools to detect and combat security incidents.

Secure Your Patient Data with WOLK Today

WOLK can help you protect your patients’ sensitive data and work more efficiently. Contact us today and learn how AWS services can strengthen your healthcare facility against cyber threats.

Hello, AWS Enthusiasts!

Buckle up, because today we’re diving into a topic that might just save your AWS account from a financial nosedive. Spoiler alert: cost is more than just that line item your finance team grumbles about — it’s actually one of your most effective security measures. Yes, you read that right! Your budget is about to become your new favorite security feature.

Security by Design: The Wallet Factor

Let’s be real. When most of us think about AWS security, we think of IAM policies, encryption keys, or maybe that security guru in the office who speaks in acronyms (we see you, CISSP holders). But here’s a twist: cost—that’s right, the dollars and cents—is one of the most underrated, yet powerful, security tools at your disposal.

Imagine your AWS account as a shiny new sports car. It’s fast, sleek, and can take you places, but if you leave the keys out, it’s bound to get taken for a joyride. Now, think of your AWS budget as the fuel gauge. If the tank is low, that joyride isn’t going very far. In other words, keeping an eye on your AWS costs is like keeping an eye on the fuel gauge — runaway costs could be a sign that something (or someone) is joyriding your cloud resources!

The Cost-Awareness Security Model (CASM™) [Not Actually Trademarked]

In a world where everyone is looking for the next big thing, we bring you a groundbreaking (and completely made-up) security model: CASM™. The basic principle? If something costs you more than expected, it might just be a security incident in disguise.

  • Unintended EC2 Instances: Spinning up instances can be as easy as clicking a button (or, unfortunately, as easy as a poorly secured API call). Those unexpected instances might just be an intruder—or worse, a misconfigured auto-scaling group gone rogue. Your wallet will notice before you do.
  • S3 Storage Sprawl: You know the drill—set it and forget it. Until, of course, your S3 bucket starts bulging at the seams with data you didn’t know existed. If you’re suddenly paying for more storage than you planned, it’s time to investigate.
  • Mysterious Data Transfers: Data moving where it shouldn’t? If your data transfer costs are rising faster than a SpaceX rocket, it’s worth checking if your data is being shared with the right people—or if someone’s siphoning it off.

The Red Flags of Your AWS Bill

AWS bills don’t lie. They might confuse, they might even intimidate, but they don’t lie. Here’s how to read between the (billing) lines:

  • Spikes in Cost: A sudden spike in costs is like that weird sound your car makes before it breaks down. Don’t ignore it.
  • Unusual Patterns: Is there a sudden uptick over the weekend when no one should be working? Or on a holiday? Unless your services are haunted, it’s worth looking into.
  • Service Usage Anomalies: Discovering a new service on your bill is like finding a strange charge on your credit card statement—who ordered this, and why?

Proactive Budgeting: The Unsung Hero

Now that you’re convinced cost is your secret security weapon, let’s talk prevention. Setting up AWS Budgets and Cost Alerts can turn you into the Sherlock Holmes of your cloud infrastructure. If something’s amiss, you’ll get the alert before things get out of hand. Think of it as your AWS account’s panic button — only without the red flashing lights.

Wrap-Up: Don’t Let Cost-Security Fall Through the Cracks

In conclusion, keeping your AWS costs in check is not just a matter of saving money—it’s a crucial part of your security strategy. By monitoring your spend, you’re also monitoring the health of your environment. So, the next time you review your AWS bill, don’t just cringe—look at it as your first line of defense.

Fill in your email below and click subscribe to get access to our FREE configuration mechanism to help you quickly and effortlessly set your Budget and Alerting.

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You will receive an email with instructions on how to implement this, alternatively you can book a free session and we’ll help you implement it.
Our rule of thumb is to take the average of your last 6 months of bills, multiple it by 1.2x and set that as your budget. Obviously if you are growing please allow for the growth phase and revisit your budget as often as is required.

P.S. Did you know you can set up cost alerts in the AWS Management Console? Because nothing says peace of mind like knowing your credit card is safe from unexpected AWS surprises.

P.P.S. If your AWS bill was a horror movie this month, don’t worry—we’ve all been there. Please schedule a free Cost Optimization call with Brian – brian@wolk.com.au if you need any assistance or you would just like to have a chat.

Until next time, keep it secure (and affordable)!