ZS Gives 1,000 Analysts Secure Access to AI-Powered Data Tools

ZS, a consulting firm that works closely with healthcare companies, faced a tricky problem. They wanted data scientists and analysts to play with data and build AI models, but patient information is highly protected by law. Tight security usually slows people down. So ZS designed a special analytic workspace on Amazon's cloud platform that is safe by default—and fast enough for daily use.

Inside this workspace, the internet is turned off, and connections to the outside world are carefully controlled. Every file is encrypted, and only vetted software tools can be installed. Because Amazon didn't offer automatic backups, ZS built its own: a background robot that regularly saves everyone's work. It also watches for unused machines and shuts them down to avoid wasting money. Big computing jobs require special permission, so nobody can accidentally rack up a huge bill.

The result? More than 1,000 people now use the platform every day across 200 separate workspaces—each with its own security rules and cost tracking. Teams can see exactly how much their data experiments cost, which makes budgets transparent. The system meets healthcare compliance requirements without forcing analysts to become security experts.

This matters far beyond healthcare. Banks, insurance companies, and government agencies all face the same conflict: let employees use powerful tools or lock everything down. ZS proved that with careful design, you can have both. That's good news for anyone who wants smarter, faster decisions without risking sensitive information.