Empowering Healthcare Through Secure Infrastructure: Advancing Interoperable Systems

At this year’s Healthcare Innovation Showcase, healthcare and cybersecurity leaders came together for a powerful discussion on the future of secure, interoperable data systems. The panel, “Empowering Healthcare Through Secure Infrastructure: Advancing Interoperable Systems for Efficient Data Sharing Across Global, Regional, and Local Collaborations,” explored how strong infrastructure and smart policy can enable efficient data sharing while safeguarding sensitive patient information.

Meet the Panelists

• Emerson Rajaram, Chief Information Security Officer at Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, brings over a decade of experience leading cybersecurity and technology initiatives across Ontario’s public health sector.

• Skerdi Cerga, Chief Technology and Security Officer at Trillium Health Partners, oversees technology and security for one of the largest hospitals in the Greater Toronto Area, supporting more than 13,000 staff and 1,000 volunteers across multiple sites.

• Jason Mafera, Field CTO for Healthcare at IGEL, moderated the discussion and helped guide the conversation toward practical applications of emerging technologies and future-ready strategies.

Data as the Foundation of Healthcare Innovation

The session opened with a focus on emerging technologies such as blockchain, distributed identity, and federated learning. While each has unique strengths, both Rajaram and Cerga emphasized that healthcare transformation begins with getting the data right—ensuring it is secure, consistent, and trusted.

• Blockchain was highlighted as a potential tool for tracking vaccine cold chain logistics, reducing waste, and ensuring accountability.

• Distributed identity shifts control to patients, empowering them to decide how their data is shared.

• Federated learning allows data to remain within hospital systems while enabling AI engines to securely share only the minimum required datasets for collaboration.

Cerga underscored his preference for distributed identity, noting it empowers patients while still leveraging federated learning to strengthen decision-making.

Confronting Cyber Threats

When asked about the most pressing cyber risks to interoperability, both panelists pointed to ransomware and supply chain vulnerabilities. Rajaram stressed the importance of understanding the full software bill of materials (SBOM) behind healthcare technologies, while Cerga noted that every vendor or partner introduces a new potential attack vector.

The discussion emphasized the need for zero trust architectures, continuous monitoring, and adopting frameworks like NIST CSF 2.0 or ISO 27001 to ensure risk is reduced in measurable ways.

Aligning Stakeholders for Secure Interoperability

Beyond technology, the panel focused on governance and collaboration between government, healthcare, and clinical leaders. Rajaram highlighted the critical role of the Ministry of Health in setting standards for data sharing, while Cerga praised Ontario Health’s work in establishing frameworks for interoperability. Both agreed that building systems with privacy and security by design is essential to avoid delays and improve adaptability during crises—like what was experienced during the pandemic.

Measuring Success

Panelists agreed that success must go beyond compliance checkboxes. For Rajaram, this means measuring risk reduction and tying cybersecurity decisions to return on investment. For Cerga, it comes down to ensuring that values like quality, equity, access, and sustainability are achieved without compromising patient trust.

Final Takeaway

The conversation reinforced that healthcare transformation depends on secure, scalable infrastructure built with privacy and interoperability in mind. From blockchain applications in vaccine management to zero trust adoption and robust governance frameworks, the message was clear: collaboration between policymakers, technologists, and healthcare professionals is essential to protect patient data while enabling more effective, connected care systems.