Breaking the Data Bottleneck: Smarter Storage Strategies and DSPM for Australian Healthcare

Bold technological investment decisions are reshaping healthcare. A Deloitte survey of 121 C-suite executives from health organisations worldwide anticipate a 90% increase in the use of digital technologies, while 60% emphasised the need to invest in core technologies like electronic medical records (EMRs) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software.

In Australia, healthcare providers are modernising their data environments to keep pace with global digital innovation. Yet, many still contend with fragmented legacy systems that restrict data accessibility and increase storage costs. In the healthcare sector’s bid to align with national digital health goals, smarter, unified storage strategies – such as cloud-first platforms, automated data classification, and robust lifecycle management – are essential for streamlining operations and improving patient outcomes. Data security posture management (DSPM) strengthens this foundation by providing continuous monitoring and proactive risk management to safeguard sensitive patient information.

Below, we demonstrate how advanced capabilities in data management, DSPM, and a cloud-first data platform are essential components of a treatment plan for Australian healthcare to overcome the data bottleneck.

Examining the Bottleneck: Legacy Systems and Siloed Storage

Australia’s healthcare cyber crisis stems from legacy systems struggling to meet exponential data growth and the demands of an ageing population, making modernisation an urgent priority to maintain the quality care Australia’s healthcare is known for.

Diagnosis: Fragmented Legacy Systems in Australian Healthcare

Diagnosis is the first step to recovery. To empower healthcare organisations toward smarter storage and well-governed information, we must address one of the biggest challenges facing Australian health services.

Australian healthcare organisations often operate on disconnected, on-premises systems that were not designed for today’s data demands. This legacy infrastructure creates silos across departments, making it challenging for clinicians and administrators to access and share patient information in real time. These disconnected systems also obscure visibility into data security, making it difficult to identify vulnerabilities or monitor access to sensitive patient information — challenges that DSPM is designed to address.

Prognosis: The Cost of Siloed Data and Redundant Storage

Siloed data creates a far-reaching prognosis: duplication, increased storage costs, and operational inefficiencies. Without a unified approach, healthcare providers face mounting challenges in maintaining secure, accessible, and cost-effective data environments. Compliance risks also escalate, particularly in relation to data retention and privacy regulations such as the My Health Records Act.

Fragmented systems also make it difficult to maintain visibility and control over sensitive information. DSPM, by continuously monitoring security status, enables healthcare organisations to identify risks, automate compliance checks, and ensure protective measures are in place.

Legacy technology also comes with vulnerabilities that pose serious challenges to data security and slow the delivery of critical, life-saving care. With the Australian Bureau of Statistics estimating that the population of people aged 85 years old and above will double by 2042 – that's over 1 million elderly individuals – there's no better time for effective digital transformation to ensure that individuals requiring specialised care are given the quality service they deserve.

For the Australian healthcare system to embrace innovation, an optimised, cloud-enabled, unified data platform is the cure.

Smarter Storage Starts with Cloud-First, Unified Platforms

The prescription for overcoming Australia’s data bottleneck and data security issues begins with a shift to cloud-first, unified platforms with solutions designed to scale with the demands of modern healthcare and deliver tangible benefits across the board.

Benefits of Cloud-First Strategies for Healthcare

Cloud-first platforms continue to support scalable, secure data management as providers modernise their operations. Providers gain real-time access to patient data regardless of location, supporting faster clinical decisions and more coordinated care. Enhanced security and disaster recovery capabilities are built in, helping organisations safeguard sensitive health information against threats and disruptions.

DSPM complements these strategies by providing ongoing visibility into where sensitive data resides, how it is accessed, and whether security controls are effective. This proactive approach helps organisations quickly address vulnerabilities and maintain compliance as their cloud environments evolve.

Unified Platforms and Their Role in Clinical Efficiency

Unified data platforms consolidate disparate systems, reducing duplication and streamlining workflows for clinicians and administrators. Centralised governance makes it easier to enforce data policies, manage permissions, and integrate with analytics tools that drive evidence-based decisions. The result is a more efficient, responsive healthcare environment where data flows seamlessly and supports high-quality care delivery.

Alignment with Australia’s Digital Health Priorities

These smarter storage strategies are closely aligned with the priorities set by the Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA): interoperability, secure data sharing, and patient-centric care. By modernising their data infrastructure, healthcare providers can better participate in national transformation efforts, meet regulatory requirements, and deliver outcomes that matter most. Smarter storage is not just a technical upgrade — it’s a strategic move towards a more connected, resilient, and future-ready healthcare system.

Enabling Recovery: Smarter Storage in Action with the AvePoint Confidence Platform

Just as a comprehensive treatment plan addresses both symptoms and root causes, overcoming the data bottleneck in the Australian healthcare system requires more than moving to the cloud. It demands a unified approach that actively manages, secures, and governs data throughout its lifecycle. The AvePoint Confidence Platform delivers measurable impact.

The Confidence Platform acts as a prescription for smarter storage:

Automated Data Classification and Lifecycle Management

The AvePoint Confidence Platform equips Australia’s healthcare industry with the right tools that:

Automatically identify, tag information based on sensitivity, usage, and compliance requirements, ensuring critical patient data is accessible and redundant records are systematically archived or disposed of.
Support compliance with the My Health Records Act and retention policies, reducing risk and freeing up valuable storage and IT resources.
Minimise manual intervention, allowing healthcare staff to focus on patient care rather than data housekeeping.

The Confidence Platform enables continuous assessment of data security posture, automates the identification of sensitive information, and streamlines compliance reporting — helping organisations stay ahead of evolving risks.

Seamless Cloud Migration and Secure Collaboration

Australia’s healthcare organisations can effectively implement and scale their digital transformation with the Confidence Platform, which can:

Streamline the transition from legacy systems to modern, cloud-enabled environments with minimal disruption to clinical operations.
Enable secure collaboration across multidisciplinary teams, supporting integrated care, telehealth, and remote work while maintaining privacy and security standards.
Reduces the technical and operational burden of migration, accelerating the journey to unified, accessible data.

This approach ensures continuity of care while building a modern data foundation.

Smarter Data Governance for Better Outcomes

Sensitive patient information – from medical history, care protocols, lab test results, to immunisation records – abound in healthcare organisations. The AvePoint Confidence Platform:

Provides granular visibility and control over who can access information, when, and why, supporting regulatory compliance and building trust with patients and stakeholders.
Automates and centralises governance, making it easier to enforce data policies and integrate with analytics tools that drive evidence-based decision-making.
Facilitates audit trails and reporting, enabling healthcare organisations to monitor data access and usage, demonstrate compliance, and respond to regulatory inquiries.

By integrating these advanced capabilities, the Confidence Platform offers a proven path to recovery from legacy inefficiencies. Australian healthcare professionals can move beyond fragmented systems and deliver world-class care in a rapidly changing environment — ensuring data is not just stored but also actively managed for better outcomes.

Charting a Stronger Path for Healthcare Data

With the right storage tools and governance framework, Australia’s healthcare sector is poised for recovery and operational resilience.

Cloud-first strategies, unified platforms, DSPM capabilities, and advanced data management enable providers to move beyond legacy bottlenecks and deliver secure, efficient care. The AvePoint Confidence Platform empowers healthcare organisations to actively manage sensitive medical information, support compliance, and build resilience for the future.

With smarter storage, healthcare professionals can look forward to a more connected, patient-centred system where data helps deliver better outcomes — just what the doctor ordered.