With anything that’s complex and multi-faceted, it is not always easy to explain it to others. Oddly enough, it sometimes seems especially difficult to convey ideas when we are highly trained in the subject. We start to take the broader, basic-to-intermediate knowledge we have for granted, glossing over it as we focus at a higher level. Conversely, when we are learning about something new, it helps when we can get simplified, “boiled-down” essentials without any unnecessary legal jargon or other distractions. Well, here is an attempt to get to the essence, a Quick-Start Guide of sorts for HIPAA compliance that should only take you another 270 seconds or so to read. Forgive the lack of transitions from here forward – nuts and bolts only!
We can’t keep up with IT and we need help!
Until recently, businesses adapted to the computer age by purchasing desktop systems and possibly servers, to run a local area network, and maybe a website. IT needs have changed, however, with cloud-based productivity applications, electronic records, and mobile workforces. Keeping up with these and related innovations is vital to business efficiency and profitability, but IT teams tasked with making every digital element in the organization work — and work together – are often overwhelmed, leading to system failures and major problems for business operations.
Businesses typically have different expectations from their IT systems than even a decade ago, and therefore should adapt their approach to IT. For many, this means closing down that old server room; the number of businesses hosting their network on-premises is projected to fall from 31 percent to 17 percent by 2018. Correspondingly, budget allocations for hosting services will rise by an average of 20 percent for 2017, according to 451 Research.
Finding HIPAA Hosting Solutions as a Small Business Owner
Operating within the healthcare industry can be challenging. There are many moving parts that must be accounted for, whether you’re a new startup firm or a large network of hospitals. When most small business owners are looking for hosting solutions, the only concerns are cost and the capability of the hardware to meet the needs of a website. The options are endless when it comes to finding simple hosting. When it comes to firms in the medical sector, there are special considerations to be had.
Your hosting options are significantly narrowed when looking for HIPAA-compliant hosting. Small business owners working in healthcare must seek out hosting companies that specialize in HIPAA compliance. Relatively speaking, few hosting companies can provide this service because of what it entails. Powerful hardware is just one part of the equation. There must also be a long list of security measures put in place to protect sensitive data. This strict set of regulations is the reason why you can’t trust your hosting with just anyone. It’s also why many hosting companies can’t offer this service and why trying to establish local infrastructure to handle these duties isn’t the best option. Part 2 of this document released by the SANS Institute delineates what is required at the local level to remain compliant with HIPAA regulations. Maintaining HIPAA compliance at the hardware level is cost-prohibitive for most firms and a host is required.
Finding a hosting provider that can meet your organization’s needs can seem daunting, but there are a number of things to be aware of when seeking out a HIPAA-compliant hosting solution. Here are some general guidelines to keep in mind when looking for the right hosting solution for your business.
SSAE 16, SSAE18, SOC 1, SOC2: What they are and why you should care
Cloud computing has revolutionized the world of software licensing, but it has also opened the gates to new security risks. In the past, if a company wanted to add new software, it had to endure long installation processes on local servers. This gave companies the opportunity to verify the reliability of their systems, while local hosting gave them more control over their data. However, it was also immensely time-consuming and costly to set up and maintain.
Available Now: Windows Server Container Support in the Cloud
Introducing Windows Server Containers
We are happy to announce the availability of Windows Containers with Docker. This enables Windows users to package applications into images that can be run on any Windows 2016 server. Users can now deploy and scale their Windows Containers across Atlantic.Net’s global Cloud.
DIY Security: Why It’s Usually a Bad Idea for Most Businesses
Do-it-yourself is a popular mantra among many people building websites, doing home renovations, or marketing artistic and cultural products. Unfortunately, however, it is not an appropriate approach for some things; like network security. Just like a home renovation DIY project gone horribly wrong, organizations taking on cybersecurity roles outside of their core competency could cause themselves ruinous, avoidable expense.
Some companies make the decision to be wholly responsible for their network security intentionally, perhaps due to cost considerations, or a lack of understanding about the frequency and harm of security incidents. For some companies, it was simply neglected, or a tiny startup in stealth mode grew too quickly for management to keep up with all demands.
The cost of network downtime for enterprises is $5,600 per minute, which is close to $300,000 per hour.
According to Gartner research, the cost of network downtime for enterprises is $5,600 per minute, on average, which is close to $300,000 per hour. Worse, Ponemon research found that the average total cost of a data breach in 2016 was $4 million. Protecting against that kind of risk is a job for professionals. Keeping a network secure can be easy. You just have to have the right help.
Antivirus vs Anti-malware: What’s the difference?
Malware and viruses are a major threat to all computer users, especially on the Internet. The two terms are used interchangeably on a day-to-day basis, but are they the same thing? In this article, we will do a brief overview of the difference between malware and viruses, and then explain the difference between antivirus and anti-malware programs.
Two-factor authentication – Is it necessary? How do I get my employees to use it?
Contributing writer: Ahmed Muztaba
Why two-factor?
Today, nothing is more valuable than information. Because the majority of online content is behind the lock and key of the so-called “deep web,” it’s no wonder that hackers are more interested than ever in ferreting out secure information. Today’s great heist doesn’t require a cat burglar. A mouse is easier to maneuver.
Two-factor authorization (or 2FA) arose as a bulwark against the hijinks of Internet pirates whose Trojan Horses and phishing scams were netting easy prey. The premise is simple: by requiring a second layer of verification, it makes your data twice as hard to access illegally. You can see this everywhere; from the chip-and-pin credit card requirements to the “secret questions” that some websites require their users to answer.
By reducing the points of vulnerability in your company, both company and employee sensitive data can remain far less likely of being breached. Requiring strongly-typed password used to be enough, but with the increase in computing power and prevalence of botnets, a person or organization with malicious intent can have an immense amount of resources to harness. This means that once touch-to-crack passwords are now much easier to crack. By requiring a second layer of authentication that requires a code to be entered within a given amount of time before expiring, this can greatly prevent widespread damage.
I Need PCI Compliance for My Small Web Store
PCI Compliance – Critical for small businesses
PCI compliance is critical for small businesses. It is important for two reasons: it gets the company in line with the standards set up by the major credit and debit card brands, and it legitimately checks the security of the business’s systems. In other words, PCI compliance isn’t just about following rules but about protection – especially important since three in five small businesses that get hacked are bankrupt within six months.
The Beginner’s Guide to PCI Compliance
Introduction
If your business accepts credit cards and other types of payments cards, you may have heard about something called PCI compliance. Payment card industry compliance (PCI compliance) is the meeting of guidelines developed by the PCI Security Standards Council, an open worldwide body formed to focus on payment card data protection during and following transactions. This article will explain the basics of getting started with becoming PCI compliant.