AUSTIN, Texas (May 31, 2017) – ClearDATA, the trusted managed cloud provider, has added another certification to its long list of rigorous data security and privacy credentials—this one aimed at protecting the data of European citizens from unwanted surveillance by commercial and government entities alike. The company announced today it has been granted EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Certification.

The EU-US Privacy Shield is a framework for transatlantic data flows for commercial purposes between the European Union and the United States. It enables U.S. companies to more easily receive personal data from EU entities under EU privacy laws meant to protect European Union citizens. While the framework is primarily concerned with data exchanged by private companies it does address scenarios in which access to this data might be requested by the federal government.

“With the recent globalization of healthcare IT, ClearDATA anticipates significant growth in Europe,” said Chris Bowen, Chief Privacy and Security Officer and founder of ClearDATA. “The targeting of healthcare data throughout the world continues to intensify, and organizations want additional assurance that their data is being properly safeguarded. Making the voluntary decision to join the Privacy Shield program and comply with its principles is one more demonstration of our commitment to protecting the data of all our clients throughout the E.U.”

To join the Privacy Shield Framework, a company must self-certify to the Department of Commerce that it complies with the Privacy Shield Principles, which are enforceable under Section 5 of the FTC Act prohibiting unfair and deceptive acts. The Framework replaces the U.S.-EU Safe Harbor Program.

Last year, ClearDATA was recertified under the Health Information Trust (HITRUST) Alliance Common Security Framework 8. HITRUST-CSF Certified status places ClearDATA in an elite group of organizations worldwide that have earned this certification.

Beyond international data privacy pacts, the world at large needs a reinvention of how data is stored and managed. Breaches by cybercriminals are increasing in frequency and sophistication, with ransomware — programs that hold a hospital, company or individual’s computer systems, medical equipment and data hostage in exchange for a ransom — being perhaps the most repugnant example to date.

The average person, and for that matter, the average IT Department, is not equipped to beat the odds of such a devastating breach. To that end, ClearDATA was formed with the purpose of protecting healthcare organizations and their patients from cybercrime and other breaches, especially in an era where healthcare services are increasingly moving online.

Today, ClearDATA is recognized by organizations like CB Insights as a leading healthcare information security services company, with $54 million in funding and a customer portfolio that includes some of the largest healthcare providers in the nation.