FDA Compliance for Regulated Systems using COTS, Cloud, and SaaS Solutions

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Carolyn Troiano

Speaker: Carolyn Troiano

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Date
03 September, 2026 (Thursday)
Time
10:00 AM PDT | 01:00 PM EDT
Duration
90 Minutes

Overview

Advancements in technology have forced organizations to rethink business models. Once controlled and orderly, these organizations are now more chaotic and complex, serving patients and customers who are better informed and with higher expectations than ever before. Work practices and tools must change to meet these challenges.
The approach to developing software, performing validation, and maintaining a system in a validated state through its entire life cycle should be carefully considered to meet changing needs. This webinar will include a comparison of the agile and waterfall methodologies, along with the pros and cons of each. There may not be one size that fits all, so it is important to understand what needs to be considered when making such a determination.
We’ll also cover COTS, SaaS, IaaS, PaaS, and cloud services, indicating the benefits and risks of each model. In discussing these hardware and software options, we’ll include the best practices for meeting FDA’s requirements for validation, 21 CFR Part 11, as applicable, and data integrity. Part of the session will identify the FDA’s current concerns and how to ensure your systems will meet their expectations.
 

Area Covered

  • Learn how to identify “GxP” Systems
  • Learn about FDA’s current thinking about technology and software development, and how this will impact industry
  • Discuss the current state of Computer System Validation (CSV) approach based on FDA requirements
  • Learn about Computer Software Assurance (CSA), the draft guidance from FDA in September 2022
  • Learn about the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) approach to validation and how this can be modernized through a more agile approach, including automated testing for continuous validation
  • Learn about cloud services and cloud service providers to optimize your experienceLearn ways to validate in the cloud without compromising quality or complianceLearn the pros and cons of an agile vs. waterfall approach
  • We will discuss cloud computing and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), and Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) systems that can be embraced and validated effectively
  • Discuss the best practices for documenting computer system validation efforts, whether using a waterfall or agile approach, including requirements, design, development, testing, and operational maintenance procedures, including ways to improve efficiency and effectiveness of managing related documentation
  • Understand the best approach to Installation Qualification (IQ) testing when the system components are not on premise, but in the cloud
  • Understand how to maintain a system in a validated state through the system’s entire life cycle in a more cost-effective manner, applying an Agile continuous validation approach
  • Learn how to comply with FDA’s 21 CFR Part 11 guidance for electronic records/signaturesLearn how to assure the integrity of data that supports GxP work, despite changes and advances in new technology
  • Discuss the importance of “GxP” documentation that complies with FDA requirements
  • Learn about the policies and procedures needed to support your validation process and ongoing maintenance of your systems in a validated stateKnow the regulatory influences that lead to FDA’s current thinking at any given time
  • Finally, understand the industry best practices that will enable you to optimize your approach to validation and compliance, based on risk assessment, to ensure data integrity is maintained throughout the entire data life cycleQ&A

Why Should You Attend

The attendees will learn about the FDA’s approach to modernizing technology, and how that will benefit both the Agency and the industry.  We will discuss ways to modernize the System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) approach to Computer System Validation (CSV) by using automated testing tools that will result in a continuous validation of software products. This approach is amenable to the agile software development methodology, which can be adapted for use in validation. We’ll discuss the pros and cons of each approach, and industry best practices for success.
We’ll cover Computer-Off-the-Shelf (COTS) software, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), and cloud services. You’ll learn how to select an optimal solution and ensure that whatever that might be, you can build a contract and Service Level Agreement (SLA) that best suits your environment and needs.
 

Who Will Benefit?

  • Vendors developing and/or supporting systems used in GxP operational areas
  • Vendors providing software services supporting GxP operational areas
  • Information Technology (IT) Analysts
  • IT Developers
  • IT Support Staff
  • QC/QA Managers and Analysts
  • Manufacturing Personnel
  • Clinical Data Managers and Scientists
  • Compliance Managers and Auditors
  • Lab Managers and Analysts
  • Computer System Validation Specialists
  • GMP Training Specialists
  • Business Stakeholders using Computer Systems regulated by the FDA
  • Regulatory Affairs Personnel
  • Consultants in the Life Sciences and Tobacco Industries
  • Interns working at the companies listed above
  • College students attending schools and studying computer system validation, regulatory affairs/matters (related to FDA), or any other discipline that involves adherence to FDA regulatory requirements

Speaker

Carolyn Troiano has more than 35 years of experience in computer system validation in the tobacco, pharmaceutical, medical device and other FDA-regulated industries. She has worked directly, or on a consulting basis, for many of the larger pharmaceutical and tobacco companies in the US and Europe. She is currently building an FDA computer system validation compliance strategy at a vapor company. Carolyn has participated in industry conferences, and is currently active in the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP), and Project Management Institute (PMI) chapters in the Richmond, VA area. Carolyn also volunteers for the PMI’s Educational Fund as a project management instructor for non-profit organizations.

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