The paper,  which has been sponsored by RSA Security, says the stakes for digital data security are high and currently stand at £12.3 billion.

This annual figure - the amount the NHS is spending on the national programme for health - is rising, says the report, which notes that securing digital data for a system with potentially well over a million users is a major task.

Also, says the white paper, many of these NHS professionals need access to patient records in the field.

According to the white paper, the rapid evolution of technology has led to many innovations in providing patient care delivery, but to reap the full benefit of this digital transformation, the systems need to be proactive and vigilant in mitigating the risks associated with protecting digital information.

A copy of Embracing the Digital Future in Healthcare - Are You Ready? can be downloaded from the Wired.gov website.