Healthcare providers have a lot on their plate: Caring for patients is first and meeting compliance regulations comes at a close second. Hospitals and smaller practices truly benefit from technology experts coming on-site, installing all the right IT systems, and leaving clearly outlined instructions, amounting to a swift and inexpensive process. Of course, they still have to maintain a small and functional IT team that can look after minor issues.

The rising popularity of healthcare software

When cost-effective, not to mention convenient, services and applications such as subscription-based Software-as-a-Solution (SaaS) services for healthcare are readily available, is it still practical to carry the weight of your own business’s technology? Apparently, not so much.

A study by a market research firm indicates the rising popularity of SaaS among healthcare companies. According to their forecast, ‘the global healthcare cloud computing market is anticipated to grow rapidly and will post a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of more than 21% during the forecast period.’

From assisting healthcare professionals in performing administrative tasks with basic computing tools, healthcare software developers have introduced products that are now used in major medical procedures. While software developers are still very much in the business of developing healthcare software for administrative tasks, many have shifted their focus to specific medical fields.

Why healthcare providers are shifting to the cloud

The reason for the shift is simple: a greater need for efficient healthcare systems. Per the study, one of the many fields in which cloud-based healthcare software has crucial presence is cardiology, a branch of medicine that certainly benefits from efficient data storage and retrieval systems, particularly in tasks such as accessing current and historical patient data.

Also contributing to the increased popularity are the facts that much less support is needed for maintenance, and much less investment is needed for medical software licensing and related expenses.

Is cloud computing good for the healthcare industry?

Without a doubt. Rules coming from HIPAA and the United States Office of Inspector General, and others have strict technology requirements for healthcare providers. Compliance regulations change so fast and, often, these amendments serve to benefit the welfare of the public and to some extent, the healthcare providers themselves.

Healthcare providers in the Americas are predicted to take a huge chunk of the growing healthcare cloud computing market, and given their influence on the progressive healthcare industry, the rest of the world will soon adapt.

As innovations in the field of medicine continue to emerge, so will the technology that complements them. Doctors, healthcare administrators, nursing, and medical technology staff need reliable healthcare IT, and this slow and steady ascent to cloud computing can only benefit the healthcare industry as a whole.

For compliance concerns in which technology plays a key role, healthcare -- and any regulated industry, really -- need dynamic and inexpensive technology. Need recommendations for the right SaaS solutions for your business? Contact us today.

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A new strain of malware is attacking Macs and iOS backups. Researchers have discovered that the malware was concocted by the same Russian-backed cybercriminals who hacked the US Democratic National Committee during the 2016 presidential election. Read on to find out what the malware does and how your business can defend against it.

According to antivirus provider Bitdefender, the new malware -- named Xagent -- is a Mac OS backdoor that is usually delivered via spear phishing emails.

To deploy the malware, hackers attach a Trojan software downloader in the email. If users interact with it, the program immediately creates a backdoor and connects to the cybercriminal’s network.

The malware then avoids detection by checking for antivirus software; and if it determines that cybersecurity solutions are offline or unpatched, it will begin to send system information, locally-saved passwords, iPhone backups, and desktop screenshots back to hacker headquarters.

Although security updates for the new malware are still unavailable, there are some things you can do to minimize the possibility of infection.

Approach emails with caution
Since hackers use phishing scams to distribute the Xagent malware, train your staff to be critical of email links or attachments, even if from the CEO or a close friend. And under no circumstances should you interact with any email from an unknown sender.

Keep your OS up-to-date
Always remember to install the latest operating system and application updates to make sure that Mac vulnerabilities are covered immediately.

Don’t save passwords
While it may be easier to save your passwords on your local browser, it gives hackers easy access to your accounts. If you can’t remember all your passwords, consider password management software. And while we’re on the subject, make sure you set unique passwords with a good combination of letters, numbers, and symbols.

Encrypt backups
To add another layer of protection, encrypt your iOS backups. This ensures that unauthorized users won’t be able to read the contents of your iOS data even if they do manage to gain access to your computer.

Cybersecurity is a universal issue, even for Mac users. But adopting these basic security habits will keep any hacker, whether from Russia or the US, at bay. Fortify your defenses by giving us a call today.

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