2 Months Left to use Windows 7

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Windows 7 will reach end of life on January 14th, 2020. At that time, Microsoft will cease releasing security updates for most of their customers, and anyone that needs to meet security regulations for their business will need to upgrade to Windows 10.

RWA technicians will be busy over the next few weeks and holiday season, upgrading operating systems and meeting the needs of new customers. If your business needs to upgrade, please reach out to us immediately for scheduling.

Fall 2019: After many years, this is the best time to upgrade or buy a new computer.

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New Laptops

One of the best new releases is the Asus Zenbook Pro Duo, pictured above. Rather than wasted space above the typical laptop keyboard, Asus added a second screen that will help programmers and researchers enjoy improved productivity.

The End of the GPU shortage

ASIC devices have replaced GPUs for the vast majority of bitcoin mining loads.

For many months, Bitcoin mining reduced the supply of graphics processing cards on the market to zero. Last year, newer graphics cards started to hit the market at the same time ASIC devices came along to replace GPUs for mining. With any luck, affordable graphics performance is here to stay.

The End of the RAM Shortage

Volatility and price drops in the retail RAM market

Due to high demand and slow production – and possibly illegal market manipulation – RAM prices dropped from over $240 for a set of 8GB modules to $90 in the span of a year. While the market has been unstable over the last two months, this was a significant cost as part of a typical $600 low-end computer.

Solid State Drives and Optane

A speed boost for your traditional hard drives.

There’s one blanket recommendation we make to all of our clients these days – if you run Windows 10, you should run it on a Solid State Drive. Modern operating systems simply keep the spinning platters of a traditional Hard Drive too busy, wasting time and productivity for your staff. Solid State Drives cost significantly more on a per-megabyte basis, but often run 20 to 40 times faster. Newer NMVe drives and motherboards eliminate traditional disk drive transfer interfaces, allowing for even better performance on new computers.

If you need a large hard drive but want a bit more speed, Intel’s Optane is here to help. As the successor to Intel’s “Rapid Storage Technology”, Optane is a small-but-fast SSD designed to cache the most frequently accessed parts of your traditional hard drive.

RWA is your preferred partner for a changing world of information technology.

Our technicians and purchasing officers constantly train and keep their knowledge up-to-date, ensuring our clients always get the best advice and recommendations for their hardware and cloud investments. Are you ready to remove IT roadblocks that are keeping you and your staff from reaching their full potential? Schedule a complimentary IT health check today!

What does the UK, Windows 7, and the VW Beetle have in common?

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A short list of everything going away or shutting down over the next few month:

Microsoft will stop supporting Windows 7.

The UK is leaving the EU.

Volkswagen will stop producing the Beetle.

MoviePass is failing.

Every Disney, Star Wars, and Marvel movie on Netflix will go away.

Old Towne Road rides into the sunset, hopefully.

… And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Fortunately, RWA can help. If you schedule an appointment in the next few weeks, our technicians can visit your site, take stock of all of your Windows 7 computers, and put together your upgrade plan for Windows 10.

Windows 10 End-of-Life takes place on January 14th, 2020. All services and support for that product will end at that time, and your business will need to upgrade before that date.

Preparing for Windows 7 End of Life

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Image Credit: Managed Encryption

Windows 7 is currently in an ‘extended support’ status that ends on January 14, 2020. After that date, only volume licensed customers will be able to purchase support from Microsoft – at escalating rates – for the next 3 years. For everyone else – home users and business users alike – you’ll need to upgrade to Windows 10 if you intend to keep receiving software updates from Microsoft.

If you run a business that abides by any sort of regulatory compliance, you will need to upgrade to an actively supported operating system.

Back Up Your Data

If you have any in-progress projects or data that doesn’t already reside in the cloud or have a backup available, you’ll want to take care of this before upgrading to Windows 10 or allowing Windows 7 support to expire. While the upgrade process is more straightforward than it has ever been before, there are always exceptions to the rule. Take your time, catalog your data, and keep it safe – an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Upgrading to Windows 10

If you’re a home user, upgrading to Windows 10 is a simple affair – purchase the retail product, insert the USB drive, and following the prompts.

However, if you’re a business – especially one with a managed network and domain – we recommend reaching out to RWA for consultation and network assessment. A typical modern workplace will have at least one or two “line of business” applications with specific technical and regulatory requirement. We will analyze your firewall, servers, and connected workstations, then provide detailed guidance on hardware requirements and upgrade planning. RWA technical specialists will ensure a smooth transition from Windows 7 to Windows 10.

Migrating to the Cloud

In recent years, Microsoft Azure and Amazon AWS have started offering cloud-native virtual desktops. Starting at $20/month, cloud VDI allows your employees to access their desktop and applications anywhere they go, freeing businesses from the need to secure and support actual PC and laptop hardware. Meet with us today to discuss options and plan your next steps into the cloud.

The Risk of Doing Nothing

The most significant cyberattacks of the past decade relied on exploits carried out against unsupported operating systems and features, notably Windows XP. In an effort to contain the damage, Microsoft released a support for that operating system years after support officially ceased. Businesses that stay with Windows 7 after 2020 not only put their employees and data at risk, but could possibly held liable if their compromised equipment is used to launch attacks against other targets.

Ready to upgrade to Windows 10? Reach out to RWA to schedule an initial complimentary IT health check, and let’s work together on a plan to modernize your business environment.

Additional Information, External Articles:
Managed Encrytpion – Security risks as Windows 7 goes End of Life – key things to consider [ managedencryption.co.uk ]

6 top HIPAA compliance myths and the truth

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One of the biggest potential challenges when it comes to medical IT is HIPAA compliance. It’s true that HIPAA is a serious matter that you must handle with care. But don’t let concerns about HIPAA scare you away.

Here are 6 common HIPAA myths and the truth behind them.

Myth: You only have to think about it once

It would be nice if HIPAA was something you only had to deal with once. But it is not something you can put into place once and then forget about it.

In truth, HIPAA is an ongoing responsibility and companies need to continually monitor their own compliance. As with most types of issues that require attention and motivation, people may start taking shortcuts over time. Make sure your company has a well-defined and well-funded plan to address HIPAA compliance.

Myth: HIPAA violations only affect medical information

The entire purpose of HIPAA is supposed to be protecting the privacy of individual health data. But according to an article in CIO magazine, violations often reflect other security risks as well. Many companies have to outsource their IT and records management functions and not all companies are equally diligent.

A company that violates HIPAA regulations is also more likely to put other sensitive data at risk as well. Corporate security breaches, whether of HIPAA information or credit data, can result in significant fines and public relations nightmares. Read here to learn more about why you need a disaster recovery plan.

Myth: You don’t have to worry about enforcement

There’s more than one government agency in charge of enforcing HIPAA compliance. Several government agencies are obligated to ensure that companies are compliant with the law. Some of the government offices who check to make sure you’re compliant with HIPAA include the following:

  • Office for Civil Rights
  • Department of Justice
  • State and federal attorneys general
  • Federal Trade Commission

You don’t need to be terrified of the government’s involvement, but you also can’t take for granted that it will be okay at any point to take security management less seriously. If you need some outside help setting up a compliant system consider an expert IT consultant.

Myth: Only physical records and personal contacts matter

It’s true that you have to be mindful of privacy when discussing patient medical records. It’s also true that you have to protect the security of physical records. But even cloud-based storage systems need to be compliant with HIPAA regulation.

Related: HIPAA compliance in the cloud? 3 things you need to know.

Myth: Some people don’t have to worry about compliance

Everyone who comes into contact with medical records is responsible for maintaining their privacy. Some people may have the misconception that only the initial healthcare provider has to maintain the patient’s privacy. But in today’s healthcare climate, records can pass through many sets of hands.

According to Forbes, each person who has contact with patient records is responsible for keeping them private, including subcontractors, data centers, and other third parties. That also includes claims processors, data entry, utilization review, and practice managers, to name just a few.

Myth: Your data is too insignificant to matter

Some companies think that they’re too small to matter. They mistakenly think that hackers are only concerned with large companies or personal credit card information.

According to the blog Security Metrics, personal health information is much more valuable than credit card information. The former collects a couple hundred dollars for each health record, while credit card numbers only go for a dollar or two. Fortunately, there are best practices you can follow to protect your data,  including updating software and improving staff training.

Being HIPAA compliant isn’t optional and it matters to every healthcare business. But with careful attention and good network security, you can protect both your patients and your business.

4 end-user security best practices

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Cybersecurity is the first line of defense in your organization. Making some simple changes to your security protocols will not only prevent hackers from stealing valuable data, but improve productivity in your workforce.

The result?

Less chances that you’ll experience downtime due to a security threat. Here are 4 end-user security best practices that you need to know about.

1. Think up new password management strategies

Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly savvy when guessing passwords and accessing computer systems. Right now, millions of accounts are at risk because of inherently weak passwords.

Research shows that 25% of employees only change their password at work when the system tells them to do so. It’s statistics like this that should encourage you to improve your password management strategy.

Here are some quick password management tips:

  • Encourage your staff to change their passwords on a regular basis — every three months or so.
  • Password-protect all your devices, including smartphones and tablets.
  • Choose passwords that contain a combination of letters, numbers and special characters.

2. Limit access to your computer systems

Insider threats could result in security vulnerabilities and, even worse, a full-scale data breach. Research shows that insiders make up 75% of all data security incidents. You can prevent this from happening in your own organization by limiting access to sensitive data.

First, encrypt your most valuable documents, files, and folders. (A professional can help you do this.) This will make it harder for insiders to access important information. Second, set up user access controls on your systems. This will prevent the wrong people from accessing important data.

3. Improve staff training

Human error can often lead to cybersecurity risks. This is why you should provide your staff with computer security training. It will help employees understand the biggest cyber threats to your business and ensure that they handle data in the proper way.

“CIOs and CISOs need to ensure that every employee in an organization is aware of the potential threats they could face, whether it’s a phishing email, sharing passwords or using an insecure network,” says Information Age.

Investing in training might sound expensive, but it could pay off in the long run and provide you with a significant return. After training, staff are less likely to make mistakes. As a result, you will spend less money on fixing staff-related security issues and concentrate on other areas of your business.

4. Update your software

Old software and legacy systems can impact network security. This is why it’s a good idea to update old programs with the latest security patches on a regular basis. Although this might be time-consuming, it will provide you with an extra layer of security.

“The truth is it’s easy to skip software updates because they can take up a few minutes of our time, and may not seem that important,” says McAfee. “But this is a mistake that keeps the door open for hackers to access your private information, putting you at risk for identity theft, loss of money, credit, and more.”

These 4 end-user best practices will optimize security management in your workplace and reduce the risk of a cyber attack. Investing in staff training, limiting access, updating old software and creating a new password management strategy will help you safeguard your most valuable data.

 

What Windows 7 End of Life Means for Your Organization

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It’s the battle of the operating systems: Windows 7 vs. Windows 10. You probably use one of these operating systems to send emails, communicate with customers and clients and access software.

Windows 7 is more popular than Windows 10 right now, but experts predict that the latter will overtake the former and have more users by December. And here’s another good reason to switch – Microsoft is officially ending support in January of 2020. Without support, Windows 7 will become vulnerable to cyberthreats stemming from a lack of patches. It’ll also provide a feature-limited user experience. 

In short, Windows 7 end of life spells out trouble for outdated PCs. If you still need convincing, here are even more reasons to upgrade to Windows 10.

1. Improve your security credentials

Upgrading to Windows 10 might sound like a big deal, but it’s packed full of features that could provide you with data recovery, network security, compliance, and password management. Case in point: Microsoft Passport. It’s an alternative way to protect your passwords when browsing the web, and it’s only available on Windows 10.

Other brand-spankin’ new security features include Windows Hello, which provides you with the security you need when using your device and data, and cloud access management solution Microsoft Azure Active Directory.

Research shows that Windows 10 is just more secure than Windows 7 — definitely something you should consider if you handle valuable customer data and private business information. One study suggests that Window’s most recent operating system is twice as secure as the older version.

2. Improve your productivity

Windows 10 can streamline productivity in your office and solve many of the problems associated with older operating systems like Windows 7. First off, there’s a brand new web browser. It’s called Microsoft Edge, which and it replaces Internet Explorer. Browsing the internet has never been easier — you can even access Cortana, Microsoft’s voice assistant, from any tab or window.

Other new features include Task View, which allows you to control your desktop by quickly opening and closing programs. Have you been using Windows 7 for a while? you’ll find the start menu on Windows 10 a huge change, too. It features live tiles from your favorite apps — a feature that Microsoft introduced in Windows 8.

If you want to optimize performance in the workplace, Windows 10 can help. There are various apps that help you manage documents and share information with colleagues.

Take PDFs, for example: “There are a ton of new features in Windows 10 that makes opening, editing and creating PDFs easier than ever before,” says Tech Radar. “For instance, in Windows 10 you can create PDFs from, well, anything by using the Microsoft Print to PDF option as a printer.”

3. More support

Microsoft discontinued mainstream support for its Windows 7 operating system back in 2015. Although users can still access extended support, this will end, too. (As mentioned previously, Windows 7 support stops in January 2020.) If you are still using Windows 7, this means Microsoft won’t support your operating system in just over a year.

“Your computer will still work, but you will be vulnerable to exploits and bugs after January 14, 2020,” says Joe Anslinger from Lieberman Technologies. “I would advise you to begin planning your company’s transition to Windows 10 now, well in advance of the 2020 deadline. The sooner you begin these plans the more time you will have to address issues while Windows 7 is still supported.”

You may be comfortable using Windows 7 in your office, but making the switch to Windows 10 could provide you with a heap of benefits. Microsoft’s most recent operating system provides you with full support, more security and threat management and loads of new features that increase productivity and optimize performance.

HIPAA Security Rule: Your guide to physical safeguards

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More than 1 million patients and health plan members had confidential information exposed in the first quarter of 2018 — twice the number of people impacted by data breaches in the fourth quarter of 2017. As cybercrime becomes a bigger concern in the healthcare sector, more medical professionals are cranking up their security credentials in order to safeguard valuable patient data.

HIPAA physical safeguards are a series of security standards that help you protect valuable information in your healthcare organization.

“Physical safeguards are physical measures, policies, and procedures to protect a covered entity’s electronic information systems and related buildings and equipment from natural and environmental hazards, and unauthorized intrusion,” says the Department of Health and Human Services.

Here’s everything you need to know about HIPAA physical safeguards.

1. Improve facility access controls

HIPAA lays down four facility access control specifications that improve physical security in your medical organization.

Contingency operations

You need to have a proper contingency plan in the event of a natural disaster or emergency. This will help you protect patient information and prevent data loss. Storing your data in the cloud instead of on a hard drive, for example, is one way to improve security. The result? In the event of an emergency, you will still be able to access confidential data from another device.

Facility security plan

You also need to ensure that you have physical access controls in place. This prevents unauthorized persons from accessing sensitive data and lets you control which members of staff view certain information. The latest physical access controls — smart lock systems, fingerprint sensors, swipe cards, etc. — will safeguard all the data you keep in your medical organization.

Validation procedures

Assigning different roles and functions to members of staff is another way you can protect information from ending up in the wrong place. Proper validation procedures will ensure the right people access the right information at the right time.

Maintenance records

HIPAA physical safeguards state that you must keep records of any external services you use. You will also need to keep notes about any physical modifications you make to your medical organization, such as replacing doors and locks.

2. Optimize device and media controls

As a healthcare provider, you will need to create a series of security procedures that safeguard the devices you use in your organization — desktops, laptops, smartphones, memory cards, hard drives, etc. HIPAA specifies that you dispose of unwanted devices in a safe and secure way and erase data you no longer need. You will also need to erase protected health information (PHI) from your devices if you want to re-use them.

You should also invest in a data recovery strategy, where you will be able to access healthcare information if your systems go down or malfunction.

3. Monitor workstation use

Negligent employees are the number one cause of cybersecurity breaches, according to a recent study. That’s why it’s so important to monitor staff who use IT infrastructure to collect and access PHI.

HIPAA physical safeguards stipulate that you limit workstation use to authorized users and implement security procedures to protect confidential patient information. If you don’t, you could expose sensitive data to the wrong people.

Final thoughts

If you run a medical organization, adhering to HIPAA physical safeguards is imperative. Failing to take the proper safety precautions could result in expensive fines from the government and jeopardize patient trust. Follow the tips above in order to stay HIPAA compliant.

Want to keep reading about the Security Rule? Check out the following articles:

HIPAA Security Rule: Your Guide to Administrative Safeguards

3 steps to HIPAA security rule compliance for your business

HIPAA security rule: Your guide to technical safeguards

HIPAA security rule: Your guide to technical safeguards

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Healthcare data breaches are becoming increasingly common. There were more than 477 incidents in 2017 — up from 450 in 2016. If you run a medical organization, incorporating a comprehensive data security policy into your business is imperative. Otherwise, you could expose confidential patient data to cybercriminals and receive expensive fines from the government.

HIPAA technical safeguards are a series of security standards that protect patient data. But what are they? And how can they protect your patients? Read on to find out.

1. Improve your access control requirements

HIPAA technical safeguards state that you should incorporate access control requirements into your data security policy. This way, you can find out who is accessing your health data and from where — and understand the ramifications if the wrong person obtains sensitive patient information.

The HIPAA access control technical safeguard standard has four implementation specifications:

  • Unique user identification: Users who have access to patient data should have a unique name or tracking number.
  • Emergency access procedure: You need to implement rules for users who access patient data in an emergency.
  • Automatic logoff: You should activate an automatic logoff on your computer systems after a period of inactivity.
  • Encryption and decryption: You should encrypt and decrypt confidential patient data where necessary.

“For compliance with this technical safeguard standard, a covered entity is required to implement technical policies and procedures for electronic information systems that maintain electronic protected health information, allowing access only to those persons or software programs that have been granted access rights,” says HIPAA.

2. Improve the integrity of patient information

This HIPAA technical safeguard preserves the integrity of patient information. In short, you will need to protect data from “improper alteration or destruction.”

“A covered entity must ensure that its electronic protected health information, as well as other critical electronic business information, has not been altered or destroyed without its knowledge and approval,” says HIPAA.

You can do this by implementing access controls and storing data in a secure virtual space. Alternatively, a managed service provider can customize a security solution that improves threat management and network monitoring in your healthcare organization. Click here to find out more.

Related Content: HIPAA compliance in the cloud? 3 things you need to know.

3. Enhance secure data transmission

The HIPAA transmission security technical safeguard standard protects patient information over electronic communication networks.

“In simplest terms, a covered entity must safeguard its electronic networks to ensure the availability and integrity of its electronic protected health information,” notes HIPAA.

Just like the access control technical safeguard, you need to prevent unauthorized access to the health data stored on your computer systems. You can do this with an effective password management system.

Related Content: 3 healthcare technologies that will revolutionize the patient experience

4. Verify the people who use your computer systems

This HIPAA technical safeguard specifies that you verify a person or entity who has access to health information on your computer systems. Using the latest software can help you achieve this. Some programs have multiple levels of security to check a user’s credentials before they access sensitive data.

“This standard requires more than just password management and includes maintaining audit trails so that the covered entity can authenticate who or what entity is creating, reading, altering, destroying, or transmitting electronic protected health information,” says HIPAA.

Are you HIPAA compliant? If you’re not, you could face expensive fines and lose the trust of your patients. Follow the four tips on this list and adhere to HIPAA’s series of technical safeguards.

Want to keep reading? Check out the following articles:

HIPAA Security Rule: Your Guide to Administrative Safeguards

3 steps to HIPAA security rule compliance for your business

Your SMB’s 5-part checklist to the latest technology

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SMBs are becoming increasingly reliant on technology to drive revenue, engage with customers, and grow their business. Still, the vast majority of these companies simply aren’t investing enough cash in the latest tech. In fact, 63% of SMBs only invest 1-24 percent of their annual budget in technology.

If you’re ready to change your company’s relationship with technology, here are a few good places to start.

Make your website mobile-friendly

Four out of five consumers use smartphones to shop for products and services online — a number that will continue to grow over the next few years. This is why it’s important to optimize your website so customers can access information on their mobile devices.

Making your web pages mobile-friendly will increase the overall customer experience, keep consumers engaged for longer, and reduce your bounce rate.

Related Content: Growing your business? Here are 3 things to consider.   

Increase your social media presence

Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram allow you to engage with customers on a more personal level. This technology is revolutionizing the way all companies market their products and engage with consumers. And with 2.77 billion users around the world, it’s really no surprise that social media has such an impact.

Use live chat software to communicate with customers

Live chat tools let your customer service staff communicate with consumers online. Use this technology to discover customer pain points, solve problems, and reduce the costs associated with other communication methods like telephone customer service.

“Thankfully for marketers, there has been a huge shift in how we use live chat today,” says marketing expert Neil Patel. “It’s actually becoming one of the best ways to nurture customers and drive sales fast. Nobody appreciates waiting on hold for 15 minutes or sitting by their email to get a response days later.”

Incorporate collaborative tools into your business

Collaborative technology allows all of your employees to work together on projects, even if they’re away from the office. The latest software integrates with your social media pages, email accounts, and mobile apps so you can improve productivity and automate various day-to-day tasks.

“From tracking who made the latest changes to a document, to how the document was before the changes, to tagging a colleague to review the document, it’s never been easier to manage a project,” says Lifewire.

Keep data in the cloud

The cloud lets you share, store, and manage your data in a virtual space away from your office. The result? You can improve data security and collaboration and access valuable information from any device no matter where you are.

Related Content: 5 next-level cloud productivity benefits

Final thoughts

Want to grow your company? The technology on this checklist provides your business with a solution. Mobile-friendly websites, social media platforms, live chat, collaborative tools, and the cloud are all technologies that can streamline workflows, improve productivity, and enhance communications.

Want to keep reading? Check out 5 signs you’re ready for an IT update.