In "Growing HIPAA Threat — Ignore Windows XP at Your Own Peril," Marion Jenkins, executive vice president at 3T Systems, discusses the danger of computers in healthcare facilities running old versions of Microsoft operating systems, such as Windows XP, because in less than a year Microsoft will no longer provide support for them.
According to Mr. Jenkins, this is an issue that healthcare organizations need to take seriously because Microsoft will stop offering security updates and anti-virus software for the old systems. Therefore, laptops and workstations running these systems will no longer be HIPAA-compliant, and they will become targets for hackers. If organizations cannot update their software to protect their systems against malware, they cannot ensure compliance with the HIPAA Security Rule specification.
Mr. Jenkins writes that organizations need to take action quickly. Organizations should thoroughly review and have an inventory of all their IT systems, including lists of risks and vulnerabilities. They should upgrade their systems to satisfy HIPAA as well as to take advantage of more scalable IT systems.
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According to Mr. Jenkins, this is an issue that healthcare organizations need to take seriously because Microsoft will stop offering security updates and anti-virus software for the old systems. Therefore, laptops and workstations running these systems will no longer be HIPAA-compliant, and they will become targets for hackers. If organizations cannot update their software to protect their systems against malware, they cannot ensure compliance with the HIPAA Security Rule specification.
Mr. Jenkins writes that organizations need to take action quickly. Organizations should thoroughly review and have an inventory of all their IT systems, including lists of risks and vulnerabilities. They should upgrade their systems to satisfy HIPAA as well as to take advantage of more scalable IT systems.
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