The “cloud” is this overarching term that you’ve likely heard a lot about, so how does it fit into facilities management? Modern cloud security is critical in maintaining safe and effective operations for your facility in regard to data, compliance, disaster protection, and threat mitigation. For pharmaceutical facilities, cloud security is a must due to the sensitive nature of the data involved. Here, our team unpacks why you need software with modern cloud security, what to look for when choosing software, and how improved security measures impact your operation. 

An Overview of Cloud Security

Cloud security, well, anything related to the cloud really, can seem overwhelming to understand from the outside. In short, cloud security is a collection of procedures and technology to address internal and external threats to your business. If your organization’s data isn’t stored in the cloud, it is likely stored on-premise, meaning there are servers and data centers located somewhere within your facility, which opens the door for a higher likelihood of both internal and external threats. For pharma, cloud computing and security are essential, especially during their digital transformation process. Cloud security and automation allow complex industries, such as pharma, to offload a significant portion of IT-related tasks. 

Data Protection

Data protection is essential for any industry, but pharmaceutical facilities face some of the largest data protection challenges. Just a few months ago, PharMerica was hit was a data breach compromising over 2 million health records, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. Facilities management and operations software commonly holds sensitive or confidential data for pharma facilities, including employee information, operational and proprietary drug data, network infrastructure, and more. If this information falls into the wrong hands, the impact can be detrimental, causing long-term public impact for your organization. Cloud security provides resources like encryption, access control, security monitoring, and backup and recovery options to enhance the protection of your facility significantly.

Regulatory Compliance

Compliance management is one of the most time-consuming tasks for facilities managers, and for pharmaceutical facilities, compliance is a top priority. Compliance with specific regulations, such as the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA), is made much more efficient through FM software, providing pharma manufacturers, distributors, and dispensers with detailed tracking and chain-of-custody data. Additionally, modern FM software like Intra offers detailed asset logistics services to help your facility with secure asset disposal, preventative maintenance, and consistent audit schedules. Cloud security provides the ability to configure access limits as well as store audit and inventory data securely to prevent a breach of confidential information. 

Server Protection, Backup, and Recovery

No one wants to be the target of a cyberattack. However, healthcare and pharmaceutical companies are often large targets due to the sensitive nature of the industry. Because of this, ensuring that all of your devices have cloud security throughout your facility is essential. Take the case of Distributed Denial of Service attacks (DDoS). DDoS attacks disrupt the normal traffic of a server or network, overwhelming and compromising the system with a flood of traffic. For FMs with on-premise servers, DDoS attacks can prevent users from accessing critical systems like HVAC, security systems, and power systems, leading to potential equipment damage. 

Additionally, DDoS and other similar cyberattacks can prevent users from making changes to the system, leading to extended periods of downtime. For pharmaceutical facilities, this downtime can be absolutely detrimental. Cloud security systems not only help prevent these types of attacks but also offer comprehensive backup and recovery options in a worst-case event. 

Master Pharma Facilities Management with Intra

Pharmaceutical facilities management is one of the most complex industries to master, especially without the help of automation software. At SCLogic, our goal is to deliver a comprehensive, full-scale operations solution for your team, providing industry-specific solutions at your fingertips. Working specifically with pharma and healthcare, our team has a distinct knowledge of changing industry needs, which is why we created Intra to be completely configurable to your individual pain points. To learn more about how we can assist your pharma facility, email [email protected] or schedule a demo today.