AlertBoot's New HIPAA Encryption With Integrated Reporting Gaining Traction With Assisted Living Facilities
Las Vegas, Nevada (PRWEB) February 18, 2014 -- AlertBoot, a leading provider of mobile device management and managed full disk encryption services, has successfully contracted with various nursing homes across the US to provide them with an easy way to encrypt laptops and protect smart phones in the workplace.
The increased interest in encryption software by assisted living facilities arises due to heightened HIPAA data security and privacy requirements. The increased attention in AlertBoot comes from newly integrated HIPAA compliance reports as well as the simple and easy approach to digital device security using AlertBoot's cloud-based deployment and installation.
"People working in nursing homes have an extra set of challenges when it comes to HIPAA," noted Tim Maliyil, founder and CEO of AlertBoot. "For example, nurses working in such environments must be vigilant on how they respond to the simplest of questions, as their answers may inadvertently reveal patients' protected health information. This is in addition to their duties as healthcare professionals. Their job description and working hours leaves them very little room for becoming field experts on computer data security. The same goes for administrators, doctors, and other personnel who assist seniors."
HIPAA data security requirements can be complex and cover a wide range of activities. When it comes to laptop computers, HIPAA specifically defers to NIST (the National Institute of Standards and Technology) on the technical aspects of encryption software. NIST guidelines for good, strong encryption generally boil down to this:
(1) Use AES encryption if possible,
(2) Ensure that the encryption key strength is AES-128 or stronger,
(3) Ensure encryption keys are backed up and kept in a secure manner.
In addition, it is recommended that HIPAA covered entities employ encryption software that has received FIPS 140-2 validation. A FIPS certificate is only granted after NIST has tested the solution, ensuring that the encryption software complies with NIST guidelines. Situations where an encryption solution fails NIST scrutiny are not unheard of, and a FIPS certificate prevents such unforeseen risks.
In the event that a particular solution turns out to be non-compliant, the covered entity will not be able to partake in one of the well-known advantages of using encryption as a HIPAA compliance measure: the safe harbor one gains from the Breach Notification Rule.
Gaining safe harbor requires more than adherence to technical specifications, however. A covered entity must be able to demonstrate, via documentation, the use of encryption, which can be problematic for stand-alone encryption software.
AlertBoot resolves this problem via its web-based console which doubles as a central server that can log and track a device's encryption status from the beginning. Traditional solutions require a separate management server that is managed by a technician. Unlike the AlertBoot model, such a server is an extra cost that is not already priced into the license cost.
Concluded Maliyil, "HIPAA covered entities are beginning to find the value in the AlertBoot proposition as they dig deeper into HIPAA data security requirements for computers and other portable devices that store PHI. The reports, the encryption software, the key backup, and other security aspects that need to be addressed can be overwhelming to businesses that don't have a dedicated IT department. AlertBoot already has those elements figured out."
In addition to the HIPAA-specific issues, additional factors make AlertBoot ideal for busy HIPAA organizations:
- Licenses on as-needed basis.
- Multiplatform support.
- Lowest cost.
- Remote management.
- Multi-user support.
To learn more about the advantages and convenience that comes with AlertBoot, please contact us at sales(at)alertboot(dot)com.
About AlertBoot
AlertBoot Data Security offers a cloud-based data and mobile device security service for companies of any size who want a scalable and easy-to-deploy solution. Centrally managed through a secure web based console, AlertBoot offers mobile device management, mobile antivirus, remote wipe and lock, device auditing, USB drive and hard disk encryption managed services.
Headquartered in Las Vegas, AlertBoot is trusted by thousands of companies worldwide as part of their bring your own device (BYOD) and mobile information management (MIM) strategy.
For more information on AlertBoot Mobile Security solutions, please visit http://www.alertboot.com/.
Contact Information
Media Contact:
Sang Lee
VP Communications
+1 702-659-8890 x3734
Sang Lee, AlertBoot, http://www.alertboot.com, +1 702-659-8890 Ext: x3734, [email protected]
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