Haselkorn Offers Tips for Meeting HIPAA and PCI Regulations

West Springfield, Massachusetts, May 2, 2017 (Newswire.com) - Haselkorn, an IT services provider specializing in helping organizations make technology more efficient, secure and affordable, is offering advice to New England small and medium-sized businesses regarding Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance. The company is also conducting a free assessment through the end of May 2017. The goal of both is to educate businesses on the mistakes companies often make regarding compliance and to recommend simple IT improvements and security updates that can remedy them.

According to CEO Scott Haselkorn, “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 industry-related challenges and deploy successful compliance measures that keep their information safe.”

"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 industry-related challenges and deploy successful compliance measures that keep their information safe."

Scott Haselkorn, CEO

Top Three HIPAA and PCI Mistakes:

1.     Lacking a Full Understanding of 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.     Overlooking 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.     Missing 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, Haselkorn 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 Scott Haselkorn. “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 Haselkorn’s custom compliance assessment in hopes of identifying potential vulnerabilities can sign up online or call 413-241-6177.

About Haselkorn

Haselkorn, Inc. is a full-service IT solutions provider for enterprise and SMB organizations in the Central Mass., Western Mass. and Connecticut areas. They have a broad range of industry expertise, strategic partnerships with leading technology vendors, and a team of certified IT professionals. Haselkorn is uniquely qualified to be your partner for comprehensive, high-value solutions that deliver real business impact. To learn more, visit them online or call 413-241-6177.

Source: Haselkorn