Posts Tagged ‘social network’

Ever Feel like Somebody is Watching You? They Are!

Tuesday, October 1st, 2013

“Sometimes I feel like…somebody’s watching me! And I have no privacy!”

(The Rockwell hit from…quite appropriately…1984.)

Each day, we are tracked by the ‘smart’ systems, mobile apps, personal communication devices and other surveillance platforms that have become commonplace in our daily lives. In an effort to educate more people, and businesses, about the data trails they are leaving behind (and the companies, data bureaus and marketers who are sniffing out that trail), I created this new infographic (more…)

Use Encryption despite Your NSA Snooping Fears

Thursday, September 26th, 2013

I’ve received numerous questions from various news outlets, clients and colleagues since the published revelation that the NSA was getting the assistance of encryption vendors to decrypt messages throughout a very wide range of activities. A lot of folks are now throwing their hands in the air, claiming that encryption is now no longer effective, and planning to use something completely different.  Hmm…wait! Don’t throw out the encryption baby with the unsafe practices bathwater yet. Encryption is still an effective, and necessary, information security control to use. The following are (more…)

Top 4 Reasons Encryption Is Not Used

Friday, August 30th, 2013

Over the past week a few reporters who were following up on a recent breach of 9 million patient records for stories they were writing asked me basically the same question amongst all their others, “What are the barriers that stop healthcare organizations from encrypting their devices?” One of the resulting stories, by Marianne McGee, has been posted at HealthCareInfosecurity.  During my work with a wide range of small to large organizations, in a wide range of industries, I’ve found there are some common reasons why encryption is not implemented. Here are the top four I’ve run across. (more…)

When is PHI Not PHI?

Tuesday, August 27th, 2013

The deadline for complying with the Omnibus Rule is quickly approaching. Psst…it’s September 23 for most covered entities (CEs) and business associates (BAs).  I’ve been tardy in getting blog posts made because I’ve been happy to have the opportunity to help my hundreds of Compliance Helper and Privacy Professor clients to get into compliance with all the HIPAA and HITECH rules, many just getting there for the first time, in addition to the Omnibus Rule changes and new requirements. I’ve been getting a lot of HIPAA questions from many of the CEs and BAs. I thought it would be helpful to provide some of them on my blog. I’ll start with an interesting question about (more…)

Sales and Marketers: Don’t Diss the Info Sec Pros

Wednesday, July 31st, 2013

This past week one of my marketing friends made a statement I’ve heard far too many sales and marketing folks say over the years.

“The IT Security folks don’t have decision-making authority, and they aren’t concerned with anything beyond their network. I try not to spend too much time on them.”

It reminded me of when I was responsible for information security and privacy at a multi-national financial and healthcare organization throughout the 1990’s. I had (more…)

You Don’t Attain Your Clients’ Compliance

Friday, July 12th, 2013

Someone recently commented that I write a lot of blog posts based on my work and what my clients, students and others I meet at conferences and training classes have said or done. Well, that’s because such interactions often create some very good teaching moments that many others could benefit from!  And so, yes, now I have another such experience to share.  One of my new Compliance Helper clients recently told me, “I still don’t know what I need to do for HIPAA/HITECH compliance that is not covered under the compliance activities of my business clients.  How can I do anything more beyond what they are already doing?” (more…)

Context Determines Privacy Impact

Tuesday, July 2nd, 2013

I’ve been getting the following question and comment increasingly more often in the past several months:

1)    “If someone’s name (more…)

Don’t Be Penny Wise and Privacy Foolish

Monday, June 17th, 2013

“We Can’t Afford Security and Privacy!”

Recently I was speaking to a healthcare executive (a hospital Chief Financial Officer) at a conference where I had talked in one of the sessions about the needs for information security and privacy not only for compliance reasons, but also to mitigate risks to the business. He seemed a bit short with me when he approached.

Him: “I wish (more…)

I Don’t Need No Stinkin’ BA Agreement…or Do I?

Friday, May 31st, 2013

Last week one of my Compliance Helper clients that is a health insurance company asked me the following question (slightly modified to protect their identity):

For the past two years, we have tried to get business associate (BA) Agreements from some of our BAs. They will not (more…)

I See Business Associates…Do You See Yours?

Wednesday, May 29th, 2013

I’m getting a lot of déjà vu vibes lately with the old-ish Bruce Willis movie with the catch phrase “I see dead people.” (Remember that?) Only my twist on this phrase for the past few years is, “I see business associates.” A big problem is that (more…)