Hospitals and clinics have been storing confidential medical files and patient data in highly protected servers. But unless patches are being installed, Spectre and Meltdown attacks could undermine the security of healthcare providers.

Why is Spectre and Meltdown a big problem for healthcare providers?

Spectre and Meltdown are security flaws in computer chips that give hackers access to all data saved in the server, circumventing even encryption and multi-layered security systems.

This is a problem for healthcare organizations because patient data and other medical information must be protected in accordance with HIPAA regulations. If hackers did use Spectre and Meltdown to hack servers, millions of private data -- including patient names, social security numbers, bank account numbers, and medical histories -- can be leaked over the Internet.

To ensure you servers stay HIPAA-compliant, there are three things you should do:

#1. Apply patches

One effective way to defend against Spectre and Meltdown flaws is by installing patches. Check your server manufacturer's website for the latest updates and install them right away. Although some are saying that these patches are causing systems to perform slower, it's still worth it if you want to avoid the hefty costs of noncompliance.

#2. Implement dedicated servers

A more cost-efficient method to prevent Spectre and Meltdown exploitation is by using dedicated servers. By having complete ownership of the server, you can control the security measures, software, and management of the server. You can also lower the risk of security breaches because no other organization will share your server and gain access to it accidentally, like what tends to happen with most public cloud services.

#3. Hire professionals

Due to the complexity of Spectre and Meltdown, healthcare providers are recommended to hire managed services providers (MSPs). Without adequate experience, you or your employees could accidentally disable security software and/or misconfigure servers.

For organizations with limited capital budget, MSPs can provide you Spectre and Meltdown solutions customized to your needs and budget. Experts will monitor and maintain your systems round-the-clock to address suspicious activities or security issues and ensure your servers receive the proper updates.

Eliminating Spectre and Meltdown flaws is critical for healthcare organizations. Our 24/7 experts can help you design appropriate data security solutions based on your business needs and available budget. If you’re interested in having secure data storage, give us a call today!

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Contrary to what you may believe, cyberthreats don’t only target Windows computers. Even small-business users can click a seemingly harmless link and become a victim of a cyberattack. If you don't want this to happen to you, there are a few simple things you can do.

Check your Privacy Settings

Begin by making sure that your Mac settings are set up properly to keep your information safe. Click System Preferences (the gear icon along the bottom of your screen), then open the Security & Privacy pane, which contains four tabs that allow you to manage different security features. You should do this with an administrator account so the changes affect everyone who uses this computer.

Take Advantage of the Firewall

One of the biggest steps you can take to protect your computer is to enable macOS's built-in firewall to block unwelcome network connections. Just go to the Firewall tab in the Security & Privacy settings, click on the padlock at the bottom of the screen, and key in your username and password. Then enable firewall by clicking on Turn On Firewall.

To modify its settings, click on Firewall Options just below the Turn Off Firewall button. A dialog box will pop up and you can click on Enable Stealth Mode. Turning on Stealth Mode will make your Mac invisible on public networks (like an unsecured coffeeshop WiFi).

In the Firewall Options, you will also find a list of services and apps that are allowed to receive inbound connections. If you want to add an app or service to the list, just click the ‘+’ button below the list itself. However, we recommend keeping this list as short as possible because any app connected to the list can be exploited.

Set Up a Firmware Password

Nowadays, macOS/Mac OS X automatically turns on FileVault encryption. This means that it encrypts the hard drive by default, and the only way it can be accessed is by logging in. Keep in mind, though, that this feature won’t necessarily save your account in case someone reinstalls macOS/OS X, or when they use a USB memory stick to boot the Mac and possibly remove all data from your hard disk.

To increase protection, set up a firmware password. To do so, restart your computer, and then press and hold down Cmd+R before the Apple logo shows up on screen. You can let go of the keys once the progress bar pops up.

Choose your location and language when asked, then click on the Utilities>Firmware Password Utility menu. Simply follow the instructions here, and make sure to never forget or misplace your password. Forgetting your firmware password can be quite a hassle because only Apple technicians can recover it.

Ensure that your confidential data remains confidential simply by performing minor tweaks on the system settings. It takes only a few minutes of your time to ensure lasting online protection. If setting up a firewall or firmware password sounds a little too advanced for you, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our experts.

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