Essential Technologies Group Offers Tips for Meeting HIPAA and PCI Regulations

Brisbane, Australia, February 7, 2017 (Newswire.com) - ​Essential Technologies Group, an IT services provider specializing in helping organizations make technology more efficient, secure and affordable, is offering advice to Australia small and medium-sized businesses regarding Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance as well as a free compliance assessment through the end of February. The goal of both is to educate businesses on the mistakes companies often make regarding compliance, as well as recommend simple IT improvements and security updates that can remedy them.

According to Michael Coward, Director at Essential Technologies Group, “The headlines are filled with reports of data breaches. Organizations in virtually every industry are dealing with increasing threats from hackers, viruses and ransomware, making compliance with standards like HIPAA and PCI more important than ever. Our goal is to help companies overcome industry-related challenges and deploy successful compliance measures that keep their information safe.”

Top Three HIPAA and PCI Mistakes that Companies Make

1.     Not Fully Understanding Compliance

One of the first mistakes happens because companies don’t fully understand the guidelines, or that there are differences between HIPAA, PCI, FERPA and other compliance standards. Just because your IT systems pass PCI compliance, doesn’t mean they’ll pass HIPAA.

2.     Paying Too Little Attention to Physical Security

When data breaches are reported on the news, they often talk about card processing software or data servers being hacked. But, more often than not, companies find themselves in violation of HIPAA or PCI compliance due to violations of common sense physical security. Employees writing down information like passwords, social security numbers and credit card data—even with good intentions—can be the “in” that a hacker or identity thief needs.

3.     Failing to Identify Weak Points

Sometimes, companies get so worried about the fines and repercussions of a failed HIPAA or PCI audit that they end up placing compliance over real security. Often, this results in unintentionally creating weak spots that can be exploited. It’s vital that both software and hardware are secure, and that the same level of security exists across all systems. Additionally, organizations should evaluate the security of their Internet service provider and the computers/servers used to manage and store important data.

The cost and burden of maintaining HIPAA and PCI compliance can be substantial—plus, companies need to consider the financial and PR damage that a violation can cause. For this reason, Essential Technologies Group recommends getting assistance from a third-party expert that can examine the company’s systems and policies to ensure they meet all relevant standards.

“A managed IT company that specializes in HIPAA and PCI compliance is usually your best bet,” said Michael Coward. “A managed services provider can alleviate this burden by handling across-the-board digital security on your behalf, plus evaluate policies and educate employees about their security responsibilities. Overall, when you look at managed services as an investment against potential violations or PR disasters, the price is really minimal.”

Organizations that are interested in Essential Technologies Group performing a free compliance assessment to identify potential vulnerabilities and recommend options for getting and staying compliant can sign up for their no-cost assessment online or call 1800-384-768.

About Essential Technologies Group

Essential Technologies Group is a progressive IT consultancy that partners with small and medium-sized businesses across Australia delivering optimal security and performance. With offices in Brisbane, they support a range of professional services industries, including healthcare, engineering, real estate, dentistry and accounting. The company manages hardware, software, networks and phone systems, and delivers a comprehensive range of IT services, including security, data and backup recovery, cloud computing, IT consulting and more. For more information about Essential Technologies Group and its IT support solutions, call 1800-384-768 or visit them online.

MEDIA CONTACT

Michael Coward
Director, Essential Technologies
1 800-384-768

Source: Essential Technologies Group