Healthcare IT leaders today are operating in an environment that’s nothing short of relentless. Budgets are lean, talent is stretched thin, and the stakes couldn’t be higher: safeguarding patient data while supporting critical clinical workflows.
The days when technology decisions could be tactical are long gone. Now, they must be strategic, measurable, and resilient.
Hybrid Cloud Has Become the Default Architecture
When we talk about modern infrastructure in healthcare, we need to acknowledge something almost every organization has lived through: hybrid cloud has become the prevailing architecture for many health systems, and that’s not likely to change anytime soon.
Some workloads live in public cloud. Others stay on premises. And the value—the real operational value—comes from how well those environments work together.
Hybrid cloud also reflects practical decision-making:
- Interoperability and integration needs push certain services into the cloud
- Legacy EHRs and specialized systems often require on-premises infrastructure
- Performance needs influence where workloads are best hosted
The goal isn’t “cloud first” or “on-prem always.” It’s making intentional choices about what belongs where, based on clinical operations, security, and agility.
Cloud Adoption Often Starts with Familiarity
For many healthcare providers, their path to cloud-based services started with Microsoft. Between Windows workstations, Microsoft 365, and Teams, the Microsoft stack is already embedded in day-to-day operations. That existing investment can help accelerate Azure adoption:
- Familiar tools reduce adoption friction
- Integrated security and compliance capabilities support HIPAA and other requirements
- Native extensions for identity, governance, and threat detection help IT teams standardize and scale
For organizations already committed to Microsoft, Azure is often a logical next step because it fits their operational reality—not because it’s trendy, but because it just makes sense.
Security Is a Continuous Practice, Not a Project
Healthcare data is sensitive and mission critical. Cloud platforms provide baseline compliance capabilities and security tooling, but healthcare organizations still need a deliberate security strategy that reflects real-world risk.
Modern security practices for healthcare IT should include:
- A Zero Trust mindset, where identity and access are continuously validated
- Cloud-native controls that enforce guardrails, monitor compliance, and surface abnormal behavior
- Reporting that supports both technical teams and executive stakeholders—especially when risk decisions require leadership visibility
Security and resiliency have become inseparable. You can’t afford to treat them as separate initiatives anymore.
Resiliency Has Expanded the Conversation Beyond DR
We used to talk about “business continuity” and “disaster recovery,” but the threat landscape has changed dramatically. Ransomware, outages, social engineering, and operational disruption have pushed healthcare organizations to think bigger. Resiliency requires planning for disruption, adapting quickly, and building layered defenses.
A resiliency approach often includes:
- Redundancy for critical systems and workflows
- Disaster recovery planning that aligns to operational priorities, not just technical specs
- Cybersecurity practices integrated into infrastructure and application delivery
Resiliency also requires business owners at the table, not just IT teams. This isn’t just an infrastructure conversation, but an operational imperative.
Application Sprawl Drives Risk and Hidden Costs
Many mid-sized health systems operate hundreds, or even thousands, of applications. Some are essential. Others are legacy systems that have stayed in place because no one has had the time, staff, or budget to rationalize them. Without a clear strategy, organizations face:
- Increased security exposure
- Higher licensing and infrastructure costs
- Operational complexity that slows change and innovation
A disciplined application lifecycle approach helps address this. Discovery, prioritization, modernization, and retirement are governance practices that strengthen security while freeing resources for higher-value work. It’s not glamorous, but it matters.
Measuring ROI Means Connecting IT to Outcomes
Healthcare organizations can’t justify new investments based on promise alone. They need measurable results. ROI can include dollars saved, but many of the most meaningful wins show up in outcomes like:
- Reduced clinician downtime
- Improved patient safety and experience
- Faster deployment of new services
- Reduced operational risk
- Lower total cost of ownership through optimized consumption
When IT can tie infrastructure decisions to clinical and operational outcomes, leadership can evaluate investments with more confidence and more clarity. And that’s the conversation healthcare CIOs should be having with the C-suite.
The Human Reality Behind the Tech Stack
Technology decisions in healthcare always come back to people. Clinicians need tools that support real-world workflows. IT teams need solutions they can manage without burnout. Patients need secure, seamless experiences across every touchpoint, whether in person or virtual.
The infrastructure choices healthcare organizations make today—and the way those environments are governed—have a direct impact on care delivery, staff experience, and long-term sustainability.
Need Help Moving Forward?
Hybrid cloud, security, resiliency, and cost governance do not have to be tackled in isolation. Connection’s Healthcare Practice works alongside healthcare organizations to assess current environments, identify risk and optimization opportunities, and align Microsoft and Azure strategies to clinical, operational, and financial priorities.
We have built our healthcare practice around the realities our clients face, including limited resources, increasing regulatory pressure, and the need to do more with less. Our teams bring deep Microsoft expertise, healthcare-specific experience, and a practical approach focused on outcomes, not just infrastructure.Learn more about Connection’s Healthcare Solutions and Services and connect with your Account Team to discuss how we can help support your organization in the year ahead and beyond.
Jennifer Johnson
Jennifer Johnson, Director Healthcare Strategy and Business Development, joined Connection in 2010 starting in field sales and joined the healthcare practice in 2015. Jennifer has more than 20 years in IT, including prior roles in distribution and manufacturing. Jennifer holds her Certified Digital Health Leader designation from the CHIME organization and is a member of HIMSS, where Connection is a diamond sponsor. Jen was named CRN Women of the Channel in 2023 and 2024 and holds certifications from NVIDIA (AI Advisor- Sales) and Dell Technologies (AI Champion- Partner Sales).
