Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Is the Cloud the Right Place for Your Business?

Whether it’s because of Apple’s iCloud, Dropbox or another platform, most people in Cincinnati are now familiar with the basic idea of what the cloud is and what it has to offer. While it’s fairly easy for individuals to get on board with this concept, businesses are often more resistant to making the transition.

The most common reason businesses are hesitant to transition to the cloud is because they have concerns about security. Given the various data breaches that happen to organizations of almost all sizes, it’s completely valid to have concerns about cloud security. That being said, it’s important to emphasize that when the proper security measures and policies are in place, cloud platforms can be just as secure as any other type of storage.

Because moving to the cloud can provide a Cincinnati business with numerous advantages, we want to touch on some of the key benefits, as well as look at the security issue in a little greater detail:

Enjoy Greater Flexibility

One of the big benefits that goes along with the transition from physical servers to virtual ones is the increased flexibility that becomes available. For example, if there’s a sudden spike in usage, there’s no need to worry about a crash. Instead, being on an optimized cloud platforms means that additional server resources can be spun up within minutes.

Save Money and Time

On the other side of the point touched on above, being in a virtual environment means that resources don’t need to run 100% of the time. If resources aren’t being used, they can be turned off for the time being, which means that your business won’t spend on things it’s not using. Having this level of control in a straightforward format also means notable savings of time.

Take Advantage of More Effective Project Monitoring

When any type of project is spread across numerous locations, it can be difficult to accurately monitor how well it is moving forward. The great thing about utilizing a cloud solution is the centralized structure of this type of system means that everyone involved will be able to accurately look at how well the project is progressing.

Dedicated Hardware Can Actually Increase Security

As mentioned earlier in this post, security is definitely an important consideration for any type of cloud platform. But even though security is something that needs to be carefully evaluated, the right cloud system can actually provide an optimal amount of security. As long as firewall, anti-virus and physical security rules are all utilized, a cloud solution can deliver all the benefits discussed above within a very secure system.


Want to learn more about transitioning your business to the cloud in an optimal and secure way? Call (513) 206 9971 to speak to a member of the Full Sky Technologies team about your specific cloud business needs.

How Important Are Battery Backup Units for Servers?

One question we’re commonly asked is whether or not battery backup units should be used for computer equipment like servers. The single-word answer to that question is yes. Since knowing that battery backup units should be used is probably enough to further pique your interest on this topic, we want to jump into a more detailed discussion about battery backup units.

The 3 Main Functions of Battery Backup Units

In addition to the phrase battery backup units, you may also hear this component referred to as an uninterrupted power supply. Often abbreviated as UPS, the function of a battery backup unit is to offer an additional layer of protection in the event of something like a power outage occurring. By having a UPS in place, you won’t have to worry about losing sensitive information in the event of a sudden outage. Instead, you’ll have an extra window of time to save the information. An uninterrupted power supply also helps to protect against data or system corruption.

To offer those different forms of protection, there are three main functions that battery backup units supply. The first is to provide power even when wall power is unavailable. As discussed above, this function means that even if utility power is cut off, data can be saved and a device can be properly shut down instead of abruptly cutting off.

The second function of an uninterrupted power supply involves a term you may have heard in other discussions about servers. That term is clean power. In this context, clean power doesn’t refer to things like fossil fuels. Instead, it refers to power that is consistent in its frequency and voltage. In an ideal world, the power from the wall would always be clean. But in reality, the power that’s delivered varies greatly.

When that power goes straight to a server, the device has to work hard to properly clean it before being used. This can take a toll on hardware and cause it to wear out prematurely. What’s great about the second function of a UPS is it’s designed to take on that role. Because it’s fully optimized for cleaning, it can extend the lifespan of hardware.

Last but not least, an uninterrupted power supply is able to send a signal to a server, computer or other piece of hardware to let it know that the power has shut off. By acting as a buffer, the UPS provides a way for devices to properly shut down or be transferred to another power source. As with handling the process of cleaning power, this type of buffer will extend the lifespan of hardware.


If you have any additional questions about optimizing your server performance and lifespan with help from battery backup units, you can easily get in touch with us by calling (513) 206-9971

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

What Hospitals Need to Know About Remote Access Hacks

The term remote access refers to the ability for employees to access their hospital’s network from anywhere. Since this enables employees to stay connected from anywhere as long as they have Internet access, it’s easy to understand the productivity benefits that remote access can offer. Because of those benefits, more hospitals are opting for remote access systems. While there are definite upsides to remote access, it’s important to be aware of the potential downsides as well.
The biggest issue with a remote access system is that it provides a potential attack pathway for hackers. How significant is this issue? Research shows that insecure remote access is the leading cause of data breaches and hacks. Given the type of sensitive data that hospitals are responsible for protecting, this form of security needs to be taken very seriously.
Not only are remote access hacks the source of high-profile data breaches like Target’s compromise of over 40 million credit and debit cards, but identify theft within the medical industry has increased 21.7% since last year.
How Can Hospitals Strengthen Their Remote Access Security?
When it comes to breaching remote access systems, improperly configured remote management tools are the most common target. The reason hackers target this element of a system is because it makes it possible for them to bypass the system’s firewall and gain remote access to the core system.
While IT security for remote access isn’t a topic that should be taken lightly, the good news is there are a handful of steps that can be taken to significantly increase security. Although the steps are fairly straightforward, the reason they are surprisingly effective is because many organizations never take the time to implement them. As a result, having them in place will serve as a significant deterrent.
The first step is to ensure that every user has a unique username and password, and understands the importance of not sharing those credentials with anyone else. The second step is to require two-factor authentication. Of all the small wins that can occur, this is arguably the most significant. Next up is keeping firewall software updated. Fourth on the list is ensuring HIPAA compliance is maintained. Finally, it’s important to remind team members about the importance of data security on a regular basis. Those occasions should also be used to review current policies and make any necessary updates.

Because this is an issue with no margin for error, it’s crucial for hospitals to work with seasoned professionals. If you want to work with a team that has proven IT security experience, Full Sky Technologies can help. Contact us today at info@fullskytech.com or 513-206-9971 to discuss in detail how we can ensure that all your IT requirements are met in the most secure way possible.

How Can Healthcare Providers Best Utilize New Technology?

Given that the healthcare information technology market is slated to grow by 20% annually for the next three years and mobile health devices are on pace for annual growth of 33% for the next five years, it’s safe to say that healthcare providers are going to be presented with many new types of technology.
While new technology can be exciting and may be the key to unlocking growth, it also comes with a unique set of challenges. This is especially true in the healthcare field. Since any new technology that a healthcare provider is considering can have a significant impact, it’s important to properly weigh every decision.
Because there are so many different elements to consider, we’ve put together the following guide to help healthcare providers evaluate new technology options as they present themselves:
Data is Key
Although the future looks bright, the current reality of home medical devices is only 10% of them are able to generate and share electronic data. Since that creates a significant gap for healthcare providers, shifting to devices that do provide data capabilities needs to be a priority.
Don’t Drown in Data
There’s no denying the fact that data is crucial. That being said, far too many healthcare providers have found themselves in a position where they feel like they’re drowning in data. This is why it’s so important for providers to have a clear understanding of which data truly matters. By taking the time to gain this clarity, it becomes much easier to fully reap the benefits that new technology has to offer.
Focus on Specific Use Cases
Because there are so many different technology options for healthcare providers, it can be hard to figure out where to start. For providers who are struggling to narrow down their list of options, turning the focus to specific use cases can be very helpful. By pinpointing the most pressing use cases, it becomes much easier to determine which technology is worth pursuing and which options can be passed for the time being.
Make Sure You Have the Right Platform
While much of the new technology that’s out in the healthcare industry looks great, things can quickly change when a provider attempts to implement and roll-out new technology. The most common reason for this type of bottleneck is the provider’s existing platform isn’t ideal. If you want to avoid encountering those types of obstacles, you need to make it a priority to review your platform ahead of time and make any necessary adjustments.

If you need an experienced team to help ensure that the integration of new healthcare technology goes as smoothly as possible, contact Full Sky Technologies at info@fullskytech.com or 513 206 9971 to learn more about how we can help.