Computer Security Part 2: Interview with Peter Loose of the IT Guys of Novato, CA 

Karen Reynolds, LAc, MS, RN:

Thank you, Peter, for meeting with me today to discuss computer security. After helping me with updates to my acupuncture practice computer security systems, I realized the necessity and value of your work for the offices of medical and complimentary care practitioners. Can you tell me a little about how your work is specialized within business owner computer world?

Peter Loose of the IT Guys of Novato, CA:

The IT Guys deal mainly with business line security products for computers. It is common for us to work with companies with 10 or more computers dealing with sensitive information like medical or financial files. Not only do these companies require secure servers, but they also require that security updates are routinely done on their servers. This means that the server then distributes updated security information to each of the office’s computers.

We also help small companies and private parties to be safe.

 

Karen Reynolds, LAc, MS, RN:

How would I as a small business owner go about selecting a solid anti-virus product and know how to determine which ones are good and which are less so?

Peter Loose of the IT Guys of Novato, CA:

We deal in business line products for security programs. It is important to know that the average person cannot buy business line products over the counter. So you have to have the right computer person doing this kind of work.

One way in which we assist small businesses is that we pre-purchase licenses in 500 count batches; so we can extend a discounted fee for the antivirus software licenses to our clients. For example: our Symantec business level licenses are $49.95 vs. the $85 retail. Specifically, we prefer Semantic product called End Point Protection. We also use Webroot and TrendMicro business products.

It is often better to sign a 2-3-year agreement with a cyber security company because it is cheaper and will handle yearly updates. Small business people who do not work with a security company will need to renew and get new software each year. They may not realize that so it becomes another risk over time.

 

Karen Reynolds, LAc, MS, RN: What are the most frequently occurring problems that you find in small practices’ privacy and security?

Peter Loose of the IT Guys of Novato, CA:

There are many. Here are 3 of perhaps the most frequent: non secure e-mail servers, lack of hard ware firewall or unknown infections.

• 1.) Some small businesses are required to comply with HIPPA Privacy and security rules.

{HIPPA privacy rules are national standards in place to protect individual medical records and private health information (PHI). The rules apply to health plans, clearing houses, and health care providers who deal with medical information electronically.}

Recently I had a client with multiple urgent care clinics. I shared with him that HIPPA laws require secured Exchange server e-mails for him and all of his staff. Using something like Gmail or Yahoo is not HIPPA compliant. The cost after program installation for secured server e-mail is $5 per month per staff member. He had approximately 100 personnel and thought that $500 per month was too expensive. This gentleman unfortunately incurred a $50,000 fine for noncompliance. It will take many years of business to recover that amount of money and $50,000 would have purchased him 100 years of secured e-mail service. Right now minimum fines tend to be $15,000. It can be as much as 1.5 million for larger entities like hospital facilities. These are audited frequently.

 

• 2.) Small business medical and complimentary care professionals also may not know that is it mandatory to have a hard ware firewall. For example, your clients should not be able to access the same Wi-Fi system which is used by practitioners because it can be used to gain access to computers, printers, scanners and other devices within an office. It is possible to buy firewall software, but this is hackable.

A hardware firewall communicates between all firewalls in a system. This means that an attempt at penetrating one computer’s firewall will block that attempt on all of an office’s computers at the same time. It is cloud controlled and this type of technology can monitor activities all over the world. 

To give you a sense of cost: installation of hard ware fire wall is about $650 and licenses terms can be for 1-5 years depending upon the client’s preference.

I consider Meraki to be the best company for hardware firewalls. Meraki is owned by Cisco, is very sophisticated and with reliable help desk staff.

                                                                                                                                                                                .

We typically set up hosted Exchanges services with filters in place which blocks messages coming in from China, Thailand, India, or Russia. These areas are hot beds sources for on-line scams. The newest threats are that crooks calling and pretending to be cyber protection companies or pretending to call from Apple or Microsoft. They will say that your computer is infected with a virus and offer to repair it. In some instances, they will even send out a Fed Ex person to pick up a check from the unknowing person. It is particularly suspicious when callers state they are from large companies or entities like the IRS and say they can take your credit card information immediately. The United States gets an average of 5 billion spam message per day. The success rate is 1.8 but 1.8% of 5 billion is quite substantial.

 

• 3.) We also specialize in repairing what are called Trojan infections such as the one known as Rootkit. A Trojan infection camouflages itself as part of the operating system, so it is not detected by software. It is difficult to detect because it may differ by only 1-3 bytes from native operating systems files. It can only be detected by visually examining the systems. The IT Guys have specialized software to assist with the process. The highest number of Trojan infections I have seen on one computer is 17. This computer had an Anti-Virus program running and that did not detect the Rootkit.

 

Karen Reynolds, LAc, MS, RN: I want to extend a big thank you again to Peter Loose for his time and sharing his expertise. If you are a small business owner in the health care field, it behooves you to comply with HIPPA regulations, be hosted on a secure server and invest in a hard ware firewall. Peter Loose and his son, Florian Miller are The IT Guys of Novato, CA. They are experienced and wealths of knowledge in the realm of computer security for your business. http://www.itguys.biz

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Karen Reynolds, LAc, RN Acupuncture for Optimal Health 

All content here is written personally by me in with the goal that it is be helpful to you. As long as you include the link for this blog entry to credit me as the author, it is fine to repost or share if you wish.For scheduling information and appointment availability, do please visit my website at: KReynoldsAcupuncture.com. Be well! Karen Reynolds, RN, MS, LAc