Secure Computer Backup

Posted on October 22, 2017 by Jean Eaton in Blog

You know that Joni Mitchell song, Big Yellow Taxi? “Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone.”

This couldn't be more true than when your computer crashes. It's a terrible feeling when your software or hardware suddenly doesn't work, or you can't find an important file you know you had last month. This experience can be a speed bump on your busy day, or a nightmare that takes you days and weeks, and a lot of money, to recover.

Good business practices include having regular backup of your key documents, bookkeeping, website, emails, and databases including your Electronic Medical Record (EMR). If your information is personal or sensitive – to you, your client, or your business – the backup should also be encrypted.

Your backup plan should include a backup of your information in a separate location than the source documents. In case of a catastrophic failure – including bad weather, fire, theft – you can access your key information assets quickly. You could manage the backup yourself or outsource it to a remote backup provider.

Where is your encryption key?

Your encrypted backup files need a ‘key' or algorithm to de-encrypt the files so that you can read and access the information. Have you kept a copy of the encryption key in the same place as your source documents? Or have you kept the key in a separate location – away from the source documents and away from the backup files? Have you recorded in your disaster plan how to retrieve the key?

Where is your Encryption Key? Information Managers

Cybersecurity is for all businesses – even if you are not using social medial or have a website! Many small business think that they are too small to be attacked – not true! Not reviewing your security practices and keeping up to date can leave your small business vulnerable to attacks.

Remember to change your clocks for daylight savings time – and get into the habit to review your backup. Check to make sure that it includes all the information that it should and that you can restore the backup to a clean machine.

What will you do to improve your computer backup plan?

Do you want more tips and resources like these – for FREE?

Join us for the Free 15 Day Privacy Challenge for more tips, tools, and templates that you can use right away!

We are proud to be a Champion of National Cyber Security Awareness Month #CyberAware. #15DayPrivacyChallenge.

#15DayPrivacyChallenge, #CyberAware, #NCSAM, computer backup, Practical Privacy Coach, privacy

Do you want to enjoy the benefits of the internet without the fear of cyber attacks and privacy breaches?

Posted on September 11, 2017 by Jean Eaton in 15 Day Privacy Challenge, Blog, Upcoming events/workshops

Is this you?

Paul clicked on a link in an email that encrypted all his data on his computer and now he has to pay a ransom to get the data back.

Mary used her work email address to register for the course, “Ready to leave your job?” Now her boss thinks that she is looking for a new job.

Alice did not follow your clinic policies and procedures properly and she left a confidential message with the wrong patient.

Bob is a new employee and will start his orientation tomorrow.

They each use the internet for their personal lives and as an employee. You need to know the best practices on the internet and how to protect your personal information. It's easy once you know how!

The 15 Day Privacy Challenge is a fun, FREE online educational opportunity on privacy and security that you can use at home or at work. Enjoy the benefits of the internet without the fear of cyber attacks and privacy breaches when you use these practical tips, tools, and resources.

This free online course is ideal for businesses, healthcare practices, or clubs and their privacy officers, employees, and their families.

The course is free – there is no risk to you and you will see that the 15 Day Privacy Challenge is the perfect way to make small changes easily that can improve the privacy and security of your information right away!

We are official champions of the National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM). October is Cyber Security Awareness Month and Information Managers is celebrating by hosting our annual 15 Day Privacy Challenge.

The 15 Day Privacy Challenge starts October 15th, for fifteen days.

The challenge includes tasks centered on a privacy or security best practice. Each challenge includes a short description about why this practice is important, how to get started, and links to additional resources. Each challenge will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. All activities are online and accessible from any internet enabled device.

15 Day Privacy Challenge - Practical privacy and security tips for the internet enabled home and office - FREE!Click To Tweet

Businesses and healthcare providers are legally responsible to ensure that every employee, contractor, and vendor receives privacy and security training, including cyber awareness. Prevent malicious errors, omissions or attacks that could result in fines and even jail time for the business, healthcare provider, employee, or vendor by being up to date on privacy and security best practices.

Training is the cornerstone of every privacy and security program.

People love games, challenges, and cyber competitions to create variety and interest in privacy and security best practices. The 15 Day Privacy Challenge uses a variety of multi-media content that everyone in your practice can understand. Privacy awareness training alone won’t guarantee that mistakes or errors in judgement won’t happen, but Privacy Awareness Training is your logical first step.

The 15 Day Privacy Challenge starts October 15th, for fifteen days.

The 15 Day Privacy Challenge includes easy to access on-line resources delivered each day. You will have access to all of the resources for one year on the website.

BONUS – access to discussion group with other participants to share your tips.

What People Are Saying

Don't just take it from us, here is what previous participants are saying:

“The 15 Day Privacy Challenge has given me some additional information on day-to-day responsibilities that I hadn't considered until now. Each Privacy Challenge has been so informative and I've been sharing it with our office staff.”

Vera. Alberta Health Services

“The 15 Day Privacy Challenge has made me aware of the policies that my facility needs to update/create!”

Rachel Worthing, CHIM, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences

“The 15 Day Privacy Challenge has given me some great resource information and helped me to identify the areas that I need to work on. I found value in almost all of the Privacy Challenges, but I would say Risk Assessment, Social Media, Email Phishing and Spam, and Confidentiality are the top four.”

Sharon

The 15 Day Privacy Challenges includes:

Posters
Short articles with practical information
Videos
Infographics
Links to additional free resources
Certificate of completion

The 15 Day Privacy Challenge includes practical tips on:

Confidentiality
Privacy Collection
Manage USB Sticks and Mobile Devices
Computer Backup
Computer Security
Spam email, Phishing emails, Spear-phishing
Privacy Officer Education
The Right to Access Your Own Personal Information
Change Your Passwords
Employee Orientation
Social Media
Risk Assessment
Privacy Breach Reporting

At the end of the challenge, you will receive a printable certificate of completion. Successful challengers might also find that this qualifies for CPE credits, too!

You will also have many more tools to add to your privacy tool box!

You can do this yourself or make it a team event. The finished tasks and poster will contribute to your business' Privacy Management Program. Proudly display your poster to your co-workers and customers to show the steps you have taken to manage privacy and security.

Yes, I'm ready to take the Privacy Challenge!

Includes the webinar on October 19 – Do Your Club Volunteers Protect Your Privacy?

Along with your webinar registration, you will also benefit from the occasional Privacy Nugget tips by email of similar privacy resources and articles that you can use right away!

#15DayPrivacyChallenge, #CyberAware, #NCSAM, 15 Day Privacy Challenge, healthcare, Practical Privacy Coach, Practice Management Mentor, privacy, privacy awareness, privacy officer, security, security awareness, training

Three Reasons Hackers Love Your Small Business

Posted on October 25, 2015 by Jean Eaton in 15 Day Privacy Challenge, Blog

60% of small and medium business owners go out of business

within 6 months after a privacy and security breach.

You can prevent this by implementing good policies, procedures and best practices in your office. Provide privacy and security awareness training to all of your staff. Some staff with greater responsibilities will need additional training.

You may not be able to do everything, but doing nothing is not an option.

Share this infographic with tips that you can share with your team.

October is Cyber Security Awareness Month! Information Managers is celebrating by hosting our annual 15 Day Privacy Challenge. The 15 Day Privacy Challenge is a fun, no cost educational opportunity on privacy and security.

We are proud to be a Champion of National Cyber Security Awareness Month #CyberAware #15DayPrivacyChallenge.

#CyberAware, #NCSAM, cyber security, Practical Privacy Coach, small business, small business week

Safer Internet Day

Posted on February 4, 2015 by Jean Daffin in Blog

February 10, 2015

Let’s create a better internet together!

“The theme for this year’s Safer Internet Day celebration is “Let’s create a better Internet together.” The day offers all of us the opportunity to do that – not just by increasing the number of people who use it safely and responsibly but also by growing the amount of good there is online and using the Internet to increase its visibility and impact. We’re talking about expressions of kindness and positive social action, big or small, by people of all ages.”

Start planning for safer internet day visit http://saferinternetday.us/ and find out how to get involved. #NCSAM

#NCSAM, good security practices, Internet, Practice Management Mentor, Safer Internet Day, security