NHS England recently granted external contractors "unlimited access" to identifiable patient data, a significant shift from previous data access protocols. This change impacts companies involved in the Federated Data Platform (FDP), including Palantir, according to Tech Radar.
Previously, external contractors had to formally request access to specific datasets. However, a new "admin" role is being created within the National Data Integration Tenant (NDIT) to allow non-NHS staff, including those from Palantir and other FDP partners, unrestricted access to patient data before it is pseudonymised.
This move comes after contractors requested the same level of access as cleared NHS workers, citing inconvenience in applying for individual data access approvals. Concerns have been raised about the implications of this broad access, with an internal briefing noting that increased unrestricted access could hinder the NHS's ability to track who is accessing specific patient data.
NHS England stated that strict policies and regular audits are in place, and external personnel require government security clearance and director-level approval. Despite assurances, ethical concerns persist among some NHS staff regarding Palantir's involvement and the FDP's usability.
Source: Tech Radar
Kelley Damore is Chief Content Officer at CyberRisk Alliance, where she leads content strategy across the company’s digital brands, research, communities and live events serving CISOs and security practitioners. At CyberRisk Alliance, she is focused on delivering 365-day engagement, trusted journalism and actionable insights to help security leaders navigate an increasingly complex threat landscape.
Kelley Damore is Chief Content Officer at CyberRisk Alliance, where she leads content strategy across the company’s digital brands, research, communities and live events serving CISOs and security practitioners. At CyberRisk Alliance, she is focused on delivering 365-day engagement, trusted journalism and actionable insights to help security leaders navigate an increasingly complex threat landscape.
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