Electronic health records (EHR) have enabled the healthcare industry to make spectacular advancements in patient care. But with this new technology comes concerns regarding privacy and security. While many companies are flocking to the cloud, some healthcare practices are creating better solutions with virtualization technology.

What is virtualization?

There are countless ways for healthcare practices to improve their operations with virtualization, but each type of virtualization uses software to define hardware parameters that are more in line with a practice’s needs.

For example, if you had a web portal for patients to view their appointment details or visit summaries, you’d need a desktop computer or server to run an application that kept the service running 24/7. But with a limited budget, you might also want that workstation to be available for other tasks and applications. As long as the portal service and miscellaneous programs are installed on the same computer, they’ll be competing for resources and slowing each other down.

With virtualization, you could use software to create two virtual, totally independent computers. Half of your workstation’s hardware would be dedicated to your web portal service, and the other half would be set aside for other tasks and applications. You define how much power each half gets so a performance issue with one half never drags down the other.

Storage virtualization in healthcare

One of the biggest pain points for healthcare providers is how to keep up with storage demands for EHRs. IT solutions need to be both secure and flexible enough to meet the evolving needs of patients and industry regulations.

Storage virtualization allows healthcare companies to design solutions based on their needs rather than the hardware they have on hand. For instance, if you have a server for EHRs that is running out of space, you could use software to pool leftover space from other servers and workstations to create one huge virtual drive.

With more efficient resource distribution, you can keep sensitive documents stored on site without investing in expensive hardware upgrades.

How to set up a virtualization solution

Setting up any sort of virtualization system is a complex process that requires an intimate understanding of computer hardware and software. To learn more about what sort of cost reductions our services can give you, give us a call today.

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Truly optimized security settings and software are beyond the capacity of most business owners. You just don't have time to tinker with your office IT. Instead, try these quick and easy tips before calling us.

Cover up your webcam

There must be some credibility to doing this if Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg, former FBI director, James Comey, and NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden all believe their webcams could be compromised. This is not just another paranoid celebrity reaction to ruthless paparazzi, there’s a genuine reason behind it. Kindly take a moment to consider the following scenario: hackers using your webcam to spy on you.

Though it might sound unrealistic, this actually happened on several occasions. Sometimes for purely voyeuristic reasons and sometimes what appeared to be espionage. This is a very real threat with disturbing repercussions. Hackers aim to gain personal information based on your surroundings, deduce your location, as well as spy on the people you’re with, ultimately using this information to hold you ransom, threatening to broadcast your most intimate and vulnerable moments if you don’t pay up.

Fortunately, guarding yourself against such danger is really easy and some painter’s tape over your webcam should do the trick. If you’re not confident about regular tape, you can purchase a cheap webcam cover online or at any hardware store.

Purchase a privacy shield

Think of privacy guards as those iPhone scratch protectors, but with an anti-snooping feature. These are thin covers you put on your computer, laptop or smartphone screen to limit viewing angles. Once installed, anyone trying to look at your screen from anywhere -- except straight-on -- sees nothing. Privacy filters are commonly used to protect work devices, particularly which display or contain critical files with sensitive data or confidential information. However, less sensitive, personal devices are still vulnerable to ‘shoulder surfing’ -- the act of peeking at someone else’s screen, with or without ill intent, which is why we recommend using these protectors on all your devices.

Use a physical authentication key

Requiring more than one set of credentials to access sensitive resources is common sense, and has become standard practice for established online services. With something called two-factor authentication in place, you gain access to your account only after you’ve entered the authentication code, which the website sends to your smartphone once you’ve entered your account credentials. Until recently, two-factor authentication relied mostly on text messages that were sent to mobile phones. But professionals have now realised that phones can be hijacked to redirect text messages.

Moreover, authentication codes can be stolen, or users can be tricked into entering these codes via a convincing phishing website. If you’re looking for authentication services that cannot be hijacked, stolen or lost, your best bet is a USB or Bluetooth key you can carry on your keychain. This means nobody -- not even you -- will be able to access your account without the physical key. Ultimate security at your fingertips.

If you need help setting up two-factor authentication, or any IT security services, contact our experts and experience true peace of mind as we fortify your data to no end.

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