Tablet Theft-4                                                                                                 WC Blog 477
Bug Tag-4
A Bug Tag Provides Protection Against Medical Computer Tablet Theft
Tablet theft from hospitals is a concern that cannot be overstated. The issues that surround a stolen computer, tablet or iPad involve the compromise of patient information. We see in the news that corporate giants lose customer information and we worry about the personal information that is exposed to the hackers. I think about the Equifax data breach that put the information of nearly 14.5 million people at risk. This follows a long list of other businesses that were violated in recent years. When a hospital or medical facility loses patient data a lot more can be at stake. Personal information becomes available, medical history, patient billing information and payment information are just a few of the things that can be targeted by hackers. Desktop computers have been replaced with laptops and in many institutions laptops have been replaced with medical computer tablets and iPads. Trying to protect against tablet theft is much different than trying to protect a desktop computer from being stolen. There is a way to stop thieves and it requires protecting devices with a Bug Tag.
     A Bug Tag is a small anti-theft device that is stuck on a tablet or iPad by sticking the adhesive back of the tag to the device. Buildings that use electronic article surveillance pedestals at doors are able to detect protected devices if carried near the exits. In the event a tagged tablet or iPad is in the range of the pedestals a loud, beeping sound resonates through the building. Workers respond to the alarm and recover the computers before they leave the building. Concerned about someone tampering with the Bug Tag? No need to worry, the tags have tamper mechanisms that activate an internal alarm if someone tries to pry a tag off. Again, employees alerted to the noise respond and prevent a theft from taking place.
     
     Is there really a possibility that a tablet that a tablet theft could occur at a hospital? In a recent article in abc15.com, Aug 1, 2017, by Joe Enea, “PD: Man slept in Phoenix hospital basement, robs them of computers”, the article reports that, “A man was caught stealing multiple laptops and large televisions from a Phoenix hospital last month.” The story reported how the subject had been sleeping in the hospital basement and sneaking laptop computers out of the hospital and then selling them. http://www.abc15.com/news/crime/pd-man-sleeping-in-phoenix-hospital-basement-robs-them-of-computers  Something that stood out to me about the story is there was no mention about what happened to any information stored on those computers. What information was on those computers and could someone hack into them and obtain patient data? It also occurred to me that with the transition in many hospitals from laptops to computer tablets and tablets are so much smaller than laptops. How much easier a tablet theft would have been if they were used in this particular building?
     You may be thinking this is an isolated case and chances are that even if a computer or tablet were stolen from a medical provider the encryption or security measures would prevent loss of data. You might want to rethink that. In another recent story, dated March 3, 2017, in the Times of San Diego, by Cassia Pollock, “Data of 750 Patients Compromised by Computer Theft at Sharp Healthcare”, the article discusses the possibility that someone may have access to the records of 750 outpatients due to the theft of a computer. What kind of information could someone possibly gain from this computer? “Each study record may have included patient name, date of birth, age, current medications, family history and a summary of studies performed.”  https://timesofsandiego.com/crime/2017/03/03/data-of-750-patients-breached-in-computer-theft-at-sharp-healthcare/  it should give us cause for concern the next time we visit a healthcare provider.
     Obviously we have to give out our information in order to be seen by doctors, nurses and even pharmacists. We do have the right to expect they will take care of our personal information since they are requiring it of us. It is important then that medical centers, hospitals, clinics and any other facility with access to patient information takes necessary precautions to prevent the theft of portable and mobile devices such as iPads and tablets. Use the Bug Tag on each device and electronic article surveillance pedestals at all entrances/exits to keep hardware from leaving the building. The confidence instilled in your patients will keep them returning again and again.
For more information on Tablet Theft contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
     

Tablet theft from hospitals is a concern that cannot be overstated. The issues that surround a stolen computer, tablet or iPad involve the compromise of patient information. We see in the news that corporate giants lose customer information and we worry about the personal information that is exposed to the hackers. I think about the Equifax data breach that put the information of nearly 14.5 million people at risk. This follows a long list of other businesses that were violated in recent years. When a hospital or medical facility loses patient data a lot more can be at stake. Personal information becomes available, medical history, patient billing information and payment information are just a few of the things that can be targeted by hackers. Desktop computers have been replaced with laptops and in many institutions laptops have been replaced with medical computer tablets and iPads. Trying to protect against tablet theft is much different than trying to protect a desktop computer from being stolen. There is a way to stop thieves and it requires protecting devices with a Bug Tag.

A Bug Tag is a small anti-theft device that is stuck on a tablet or iPad by sticking the adhesive back of the tag to the device. Buildings that use electronic article surveillance pedestals at doors are able to detect protected devices if carried near the exits. In the event a tagged tablet or iPad is in the range of the pedestals a loud, beeping sound resonates through the building. Workers respond to the alarm and recover the computers before they leave the building. Concerned about someone tampering with the Bug Tag? No need to worry, the tags have tamper mechanisms that activate an internal alarm if someone tries to pry a tag off. Again, employees alerted to the noise respond and prevent a theft from taking place.          

 

Is there really a possibility that a tablet that a tablet theft could occur at a hospital? In a recent article in abc15.com, Aug 1, 2017, by Joe Enea, “PD: Man slept in Phoenix hospital basement, robs them of computers”, the article reports that, “A man was caught stealing multiple laptops and large televisions from a Phoenix hospital last month.” The story reported how the subject had been sleeping in the hospital basement and sneaking laptop computers out of the hospital and then selling them. http://www.abc15.com/news/crime/pd-man-sleeping-in-phoenix-hospital-basement-robs-them-of-computers.  Something that stood out to me about the story is there was no mention about what happened to any information stored on those computers. What information was on those computers and could someone hack into them and obtain patient data? It also occurred to me that with the transition in many hospitals from laptops to computer tablets and tablets are so much smaller than laptops. How much easier a tablet theft would have been if they were used in this particular building?

 

You may be thinking this is an isolated case and chances are that even if a computer or tablet were stolen from a medical provider the encryption or security measures would prevent loss of data. You might want to rethink that. In another recent story, dated March 3, 2017, in the Times of San Diego, by Cassia Pollock, “Data of 750 Patients Compromised by Computer Theft at Sharp Healthcare”, the article discusses the possibility that someone may have access to the records of 750 outpatients due to the theft of a computer. What kind of information could someone possibly gain from this computer? “Each study record may have included patient name, date of birth, age, current medications, family history and a summary of studies performed.”  https://timesofsandiego.com/crime/2017/03/03/data-of-750-patients-breached-in-computer-theft-at-sharp-healthcare/  it should give us cause for concern the next time we visit a healthcare provider.

Obviously we have to give out our information in order to be seen by doctors, nurses and even pharmacists. We do have the right to expect they will take care of our personal information since they are requiring it of us. It is important then that medical centers, hospitals, clinics and any other facility with access to patient information takes necessary precautions to prevent the theft of portable and mobile devices such as iPads and tablets. Use the Bug Tag on each device and electronic article surveillance pedestals at all entrances/exits to keep hardware from leaving the building. The confidence instilled in your patients will keep them returning again and again.

 

For more information on Tablet Theft, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.