OMNY Health is an innovative health-tech company based in the United States, specializing in data-driven solutions to improve healthcare. Dr. Maik Lindner serves as Chief Information Security Officer and Innovation Lead, a role he has held since 2021. In this position, he is responsible for the strategic development of the company’s security architecture as well as the implementation of innovative technologies that are reshaping how OMNY Health approaches the use of health data.

Dr. Lindner studied Information Systems at the University of Münster, where he completed both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees before earning his doctorate. After completing his PhD, he began his professional career as a Senior Researcher and Business Development Manager at SAP in Belfast. Following several positions within SAP, including Director of Systems Engineering in the HANA Cloud Computing division, he went on to hold leadership roles in technology-driven companies such as Virtustream and TidalScale before joining OMNY Health in 2018.

In this interview, Dr. Lindner shares his journey from the lecture halls of Münster to digital innovation in U.S. healthcare—and the lessons from his student years that continue to guide him today.

Dr. Lindner, since 2021 you have been Chief Information Security Officer and Innovation Lead at OMNY Health. How do you shape technological change in healthcare there, and what challenges do you face?

As an innovative company, it is essential for us to align IT security and innovation strategically—protecting patient data while at the same time enabling new medical solutions. This involves ensuring data privacy and compliance (for example HIPAA and GDPR), managing cyber risks, and fostering a culture of innovation that promotes the use of technologies such as AI and cloud solutions. The greatest challenges lie in protecting sensitive health data against cyberattacks, navigating complex regulatory frameworks, and, in particular, overcoming organizational resistance to change.

Before joining OMNY Health, you held senior technical roles at SAP, Virtustream, and TidalScale, among others. What did you take away from that time for your current work—and were there professional experiences that shaped you in particular?

My time at SAP was formative and gave me a deep understanding of scalable enterprise software and complex system integration in the cloud domain. This knowledge is especially valuable today in healthcare, where we often have to bridge the gap between legacy systems and cutting-edge architectures. My work at SAP Research, as part of SAP, also provided me with a smooth transition from the university research environment in Münster into corporate research and innovation. At TidalScale, I was able to deepen this knowledge and learned a great deal about distributed operating systems and massive computing architectures in cloud data centers—expertise that helps us manage the enormous volumes of data in healthcare. My time at Virtustream, EMC, and later Dell Technologies provided me with a solid foundation in cloud architectures, the operation of critical cloud infrastructures, and cloud security. All of these experiences have been invaluable. One of the most important lessons I have carried with me from all of these companies is the recognition that technology should not be viewed merely as a tool for solving isolated problems, but as a strategic and operational enabler of new opportunities and more efficient processes. For me, the economic value of technology always takes center stage.

Which technological trends—such as in cloud, AI, or data security—do you currently consider most relevant in healthcare?

When I look at current technology trends in healthcare, I see three areas in particular with enormous transformative potential: cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and data security. For me, the cloud is the absolute foundation. It provides the flexibility and scalability necessary to handle vast amounts of sensitive health data. I think here of hybrid or multi-cloud strategies that help us store data optimally, and of cloud-native developments that enable applications like telemedicine or remote patient monitoring. These advances not only increase cost efficiency but also improve access to critical patient information, ultimately enhancing overall care efficiency. At the same time, I am fascinated by the way AI is revolutionizing healthcare. I see generative AI and large language models (LLMs) as tremendous opportunities to optimize clinical workflows, automate documentation, and even accelerate drug development. Particularly impressive is AI-assisted diagnostics, which helps us detect diseases much earlier through image analysis, as well as predictive analytics that can forecast patient outcomes. Personalized medicine and the automation of administrative processes, such as billing, are also becoming increasingly important thanks to AI, as they both enhance efficiency and improve quality of care. And then there is the area closest to my heart as someone responsible for information security and innovation: data security and privacy. Given the sensitivity of health data and the growing sophistication of AI-driven cyberattacks, this is an absolute top priority. We need robust security measures, multi-factor authentication, and advanced quantum encryption to defend against ransomware or phishing attacks, for example. Compliance with strict regulations such as HIPAA remains a core task, especially when working with cloud environments and third-party providers. I am also convinced that AI-powered security tools will help us detect threats faster and respond more effectively.

You completed your Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD in Münster. What kept you at the university for so long, and what do you still associate with the city today? Which skills or experiences from your studies continue to help you in your professional life?

My long time at the University of Münster was a conscious choice and an incredibly formative period of my life. I found not only an excellent academic environment and exciting research opportunities there, but also an atmosphere that allowed me to immerse myself deeply in my topics and engage with outstanding professors and fellow students. I am especially grateful for the excellent support from my doctoral advisor, Prof. Heinz Lothar Grob, which was invaluable throughout my time in Münster and profoundly shaped my academic career. This environment honed my critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Münster remains more than just a university town to me—it has become a second home. With its unique charm, vibrant student life, and livability, I always felt comfortable there. I fondly remember relaxing by Lake Aasee and the freedom of exploring everything by bike. Those years were decisive for my personal growth, giving me not only lifelong friendships but also an intellectual vitality that continues to drive me today. The skills I acquired during that time are invaluable for my current professional practice. I would particularly highlight structured problem-solving and the scientific working methods I internalized during my PhD, which enable me to approach complex challenges systematically and validate them with data. Critical analysis and the ability to synthesize information also help me make sound decisions quickly. And last but not least, the PhD strengthened my perseverance and resilience—qualities that are absolutely essential in everyday (work) life, where unforeseen problems are the norm.

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