Unlock European Health Markets with HDS Certification
Your complete guide to understanding HDS certification, its benefits, and how to achieve it.
What is HDS?
A Mandate for Hosting Health Data in France
HDS (Hébergement de Données de Santé) is a mandatory French certification for any entity hosting personal health data collected from French citizens. It ensures that hosting providers and their services meet the highest standards for security, confidentiality, and data privacy as stipulated by French law and the GDPR.
Achieving HDS certification is not just about legal compliance; it is a declaration of your commitment to protecting sensitive patient information, building trust with users and partners across the European Union.
Secure Your Place in the European Health Tech Market
HDS certification is not just a compliance checkbox; it's a critical asset for any business handling sensitive health data for French citizens. It demonstrates your commitment to the highest standards of data security and privacy.
Legal Compliance
Meet the stringent legal requirements for hosting health data in France and the EU, avoiding significant penalties.
Patient Trust
Build confidence with patients and partners by ensuring their sensitive health information is rigorously protected.
Market Access
Gain a competitive advantage and unlock access to the lucrative French and European healthcare markets.
Key Requirements for HDS Certification
The path to HDS certification involves meeting a comprehensive set of requirements based on international security standards and specific French regulations.
ISO 27001 Foundation
A valid ISO/IEC 27001 certification is a prerequisite. It establishes the foundation for your Information Security Management System (ISMS) and demonstrates a baseline commitment to security best practices.
Specific HDS Controls
In addition to ISO 27001, organizations must implement specific controls detailed in the HDS framework. These cover areas like data backup, incident management, user authentication, and physical security of data centers.
Data Sovereignty and Location
Strict rules apply to the physical location of stored health data. You must ensure that data is hosted within the European Union or in a country recognized by the EU as having adequate data protection laws, with clear contractual obligations.
Rigorous Auditing Process
Certification is granted after a thorough audit by an accredited third-party organization. This audit verifies that all technical, organizational, and legal requirements of the HDS standard have been successfully implemented and are being maintained.
Ready to Start Your HDS Certification Journey?
Navigating the complexities of HDS certification can be challenging. Our experts are here to guide you every step of the way, from initial gap analysis to successful certification.