Directories and healthcare

I've noticed that a large number of readers who have written to me about their directory projects are in the healthcare sector. I thought that was just the result of consolidations within the industry. Turns out, though, there's more to it than that.

Focus on Directories reader Scott Richert is in the healthcare business. Richert points out that pending legislation - the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act - deals with patient privacy and data security issues. It will demand "role-based" access security to clinical data, and access and audit logs, among other things.

What better place is there for a modern directory service? On the other hand, if you aren't prepared, what better place for disaster to strike.

If you will be responsible for implementing these new regulations, it's not too early to begin planning now. Take stock of all the systems you have in place, decide which are strategic to your overall network plan, and then take steps to migrate from those systems which no longer fit the needs of your enterprise.

Get your vendors involved. Ask them to recommend some consultants, then check out the consultants' credentials. You're going to need outside help to get to where you want to go. Therefore, planning the most effective outside help should be a prime task right now.

Dave Kearns is a writer and consultant in Silicon Valley. His most recent book is "Peter Norton's Complete Guide to Networks" published by SAMS. Dave's company, Virtual Quill, provides content services to network vendors: books, manuals, white papers, lectures and seminars, marketing, technical marketing and support documents. Virtual Quill provides "words to sell by..." Find out more at Virtual Quill or by e-mail at info@vquill.com

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