by IRIS Solutions
June 6, 2011
One thing I see with surprising frequency is a business that does not understand the importance of maintaining valid and current backup data. On occasion we see backup drives that have been left unplugged, are filled to capacity, or software that has been improperly configured and does not run as scheduled. When we discover issues such as this during a new client assessment, the business owner will often admit knowledge of the situation or appear unconcerned.
To date, I have only had to assist one company with data loss coupled with a failed backup device. The amount of time, frustration, and manpower that this requires cannot be understated--- it is staggering. Any company that loses financial data can encounter further financial and time loss penalties when that information is needed by the IRS or similar organizations. For those businesses that are in any way involved with medical practices, HIPAA violations also become a serious concern. Recently we have seen the first instances of financial penalties from HIPAA for data loss:
- In February 2011 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services fined Massachusetts General Hospital $1 million for losing the medical records of 192 patients.
- Around the same time, Cignet Health of Maryland was fined $4.3 million for failing to provide patients a copy of their medical records upon request.
The danger of data loss and/or theft is very real and we are seeing practices suffering massive penalties as the associated agencies attempt to impose the full reach of their regulations. Some additional repercussions of sensitive data loss can include mandatory public announcements of the incident, requirements to directly contact all potentially affected persons and explain the situation to them, and increased audit scrutiny for several years thereafter.
Storage solutions today are far more reliable and far less expensive than ever in the history of electronic data storage. The related software to manage and monitor your data backups has become much more advanced as well. Not to sound cliche, but if you're wondering if you can afford a good backup solution the better question to ask is "Can I afford not to?"
IRIS Solutions offers several forms of data backup and monitoring services. Please take a moment to contact us with your questions and concerns on this very important topic!
by Administrator
March 9, 2011
The best business owners know that they are not experts at everything. We encourage you to focus on your core competency and let IRIS Solutions manage your "IT Department."
At IRIS Solutions, we are proud of our diverse and robust IT service offering. Our clients may take advantage of the following IT services that relate to their professional goals:
- 24/7 Network Monitoring
IRIS Solutions monitors a wide variety of aspects on your company's system in order to detect signs of system failures. Through the constant monitoring of disk and memory usage, Windows Security Updates, network firewalls and network devices, we are able to reduce the chance of system failures and keep your technology running at an optimal level, help you get more accomplished during your work day, and allow you to sleep easy at night.
- Onsite Support
Our onsite support team is comprised of highly trained professionals who offer unsurpassed service to our clients. The goal is to ensure that your network is running as efficiently as possible at all times, and our specialists are committed to resolving the IT issues that can occur anytime, causing big headaches. Through our onsite support, your network problems or questions will be handled quickly and efficiently, enabling your office to be productive, generate revenue and focus on your core business.
- Help Desk/Remote Support
Our Help Desk function focuses on you, our client, and has been designed with your needs in mind. We know that when an IT issue occurs, no matter how big or small, the only thing you are thinking about is "how to fix it." Whether you need supplemental answers to a technology question or if you are in need of a responsive, personable, and knowledge-based approach to a technology problem, our Help Desk function focuses on offering support when you need it most. Our specialists are trained to provide solutions which allow your office to work productively despite any technical glitches. By providing immediate support, the Help Desk resolves problems that without any assistance may cause downtime and confusion. The IRIS Solutions Help Desk provides immediate remote assistance in getting you back on track as quickly and efficiently as possible.
- Managed Services
Our Managed Services platform provides you with the most comprehensive solution to your office technology needs. We create a strategy based on the overall requirements and goals of your office and implement a detailed technology plan that assists you in increasing productivity measures, decreasing downtime, and surrounding your employees with the technology support and assurance they require to get their jobs done. Furthermore, we can help manage your company's critical and necessary technology, easing your frustration, lessening your stress, controlling costs, and making your technology work the way it was intended. We will help you plan for, rather than react to, a potential IT issue.
- Local and Offsite Backup Solutions
Digital data is convenient, fast, and easy to produce but once lost, unless backed up effectively and tested regularly for restoration, it may be gone forever. The push of the wrong key or click of the wrong icon could result in the loss of important, irreplaceable files that are integral to your company's performance. IRIS Solutions understands that a strategy must be in place to prevent this. To safeguard our clients against the potentially devastating loss of important data, IRIS Solutions offers local and offsite encrypted data backup.
Our local and offsite backup solutions will store and protect your data. In cases of data loss, natural disaster, or relocation, your company will be able to easily recover your information. IRIS Solutions partners with reputable offsite backup companies that store data in top-of-the-line facilities throughout the United States.
Entrust your IT function to the care of the trained professionals at IRIS Solutions. With our wide range of services, excellent support and competitive pricing, IRIS Solutions looks forward to maximizing your IT performance and minimizing your overhead. Call 800-953-9405 or email sales@irissol.com for more details about how IRIS Solutions can help you work smarter while your technology works harder.
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