Envisioning the Secure Network

PHIN-MS has been used to securely connect various Public Health Partners together for laboratory reporting. A pilot project has demonstrated a mesh network of 5 bidirectional PHIN-MS installations. Plans are being made for a 60 node mesh PHIN-MS network. These are only the barest beginnings of a secure network. How can we move forward? The session will begin with a discussion of why public health needs a secure network instead of just secure electronic reporting. What are the technical challenges, what are the business needs? This session will look at the state of secure communications that exists within public health today and will examine the possibilities raised by current pilot projects. Using the example of the non-secure network as a guide, we will discuss what network functions and standards will probably be needed to make the secure network a reality. Special attention will be focused on why a secure network will need to differ from the non-secure network. The session will show how new standards will allow new uses of a secure network such as supporting the Public Health Directory and creating a secure fax machine. The session will touch on how a secure network will require a different model of governance so that all players are assured that the network remains secure and acceptable for the intended use. The goal is to expand knowledge of why a secure network matters, what makes a secure network, how PHIN-MS can lay the ground work, and what are the next steps to creating the secure network.