i-pad theft-4 WC blog 119
tablet theft-4
Alpha Thunder Tag-3
Don’t Horse Around – Use Alpha Thunder Tags To Protect Veterinary Mobile Devices
You may be aware that many doctor’s offices and hospitals are transitioning from paper records and files to electronic devices to conduct their work. For example they are now using i-pads and tablets for review of patient records, viewing scans and x-rays, even consulting with other doctor’s about procedures before treating patients. But did you know that the use of mobile medical devices is not limited to the treatment of humans? Veterinarians are also helping render aid and treatment to our furry friends with mobile devices. I had never considered that there might be apps available to vets just as there are for doctors. If there are vet apps for i-pads and tablets as those offered to other medical services, then there must be growth in the demand for the devices. Just like the risks posed to other doctors, this means i-pad theft and tablet theft will be a concern for veterinarians. The Alpha Thunder Tag is the anti-theft device that will keep your mobile devices safe.
Originally designed as a retail anti-theft tool, the Alpha Thunder Tag has applications outside the retail arena. The tag is attached by an adhesive to a mobile device and therefore acts as a visible deterrent to someone who may be tempted to try to steal one. The tags also are designed to work with an electronic article surveillance system (EAS) so that in the event a thief attempts to walk out of an office the EAS antenna will activate. The activation serves to warn staff that a device is being carried out of the building and they can respond and retrieve the device. If the 3 alarm model of the tag is purchased an added benefit is an internal alarm that activates in the device if someone were to get through the antennas and exit the building. Having worked for many years in the retail loss prevention field, I can verify that EAS activations can scare thieves into dropping merchandise. I am confident it would have the same effect for someone attempting a medical tablet theft or i-pad theft.
You may be wondering what would possess someone to want to steal information on Spot or Fluffy. The bad guys may not be trying to get the pet’s information remember veterinary clinics carry a lot of client information from the pet owner. Addresses, email information, pet prescriptions and billing information are all potentially areas of vulnerability that could have value on the black market. With adequate information, criminals can gain enough data to create identity theft via a stolen profile. Veterinarians are not subject to HIPAA regulations so they may not be as careful with client information as other doctors. This is not to say they would be intentionally careless, but the penalties imposed on other doctors by the government if a data breach occurs is a strong catalyst to ensure adequate security measures are in place. Much of the information a criminal needs is often stored on mobile devices and therefore makes i-pad theft and tablet theft a real possibility.
The other reason a veterinary practice should be concerned with mobile devices being stolen is that tablets and i-pads are valuable for resale. Someone may not be attempting to gain access to Fido’s prescription dog food information they might simply want to get the device and wipe it clean and resell it. In other cases, people will steal simply for the excitement of trying to get away with something. In retail loss prevention we frequently would encounter the shoplifter who would steal because they were “dared” or “they wanted to see if they could do it”. There is an adrenaline rush some thieves feel and that drives their motivation.
Regardless of the reason, tablet theft and i-pad theft is as much a concern for veterinarians as it is for other medical practices. The Alpha Thunder Tag is the way to ensure that mobile devices and the information they carry remain secure.
Need information on Alpha Thunder Tag? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
You may be aware that many doctor’s offices and hospitals are transitioning from paper records and files to electronic devices to conduct their work. For example they are now using i-pads and tablets for review of patient records, viewing scans and x-rays, even consulting with other doctor’s about procedures before treating patients. But did you know that the use of mobile medical devices is not limited to the treatment of humans? Veterinarians are also helping render aid and treatment to our furry friends with mobile devices. I had never considered that there might be apps available to vets just as there are for doctors. If there are vet apps for i-pads and tablets as those offered to other medical services, then there must be growth in the demand for the devices. Just like the risks posed to other doctors, this means i-pad theft and tablet theft will be a concern for veterinarians. The Alpha Thunder Tag is the anti-theft device that will keep your mobile devices safe.
Originally designed as a retail anti-theft tool, the Alpha Thunder Tag has applications outside the retail arena. The tag is attached by an adhesive to a mobile device and therefore acts as a visible deterrent to someone who may be tempted to try to steal one. The tags also are designed to work with an electronic article surveillance system (EAS) so that in the event a thief attempts to walk out of an office the EAS antenna will activate. The activation serves to warn staff that a device is being carried out of the building and they can respond and retrieve the device. If the 3 alarm model of the tag is purchased an added benefit is an internal alarm that activates in the device if someone were to get through the antennas and exit the building. Having worked for many years in the retail loss prevention field, I can verify that EAS activations can scare thieves into dropping merchandise. I am confident it would have the same effect for someone attempting a medical tablet theft or i-pad theft.
You may be wondering what would possess someone to want to steal information on Spot or Fluffy. The bad guys may not be trying to get the pet’s information remember veterinary clinics carry a lot of client information from the pet owner. Addresses, email information, pet prescriptions and billing information are all potentially areas of vulnerability that could have value on the black market. With adequate information, criminals can gain enough data to create identity theft via a stolen profile. Veterinarians are not subject to HIPAA regulations so they may not be as careful with client information as other doctors. This is not to say they would be intentionally careless, but the penalties imposed on other doctors by the government if a data breach occurs is a strong catalyst to ensure adequate security measures are in place. Much of the information a criminal needs is often stored on mobile devices and therefore makes i-pad theft and tablet theft a real possibility.
The other reason a veterinary practice should be concerned with mobile devices being stolen is that tablets and i-pads are valuable for resale. Someone may not be attempting to gain access to Fido’s prescription dog food information they might simply want to get the device and wipe it clean and resell it. In other cases, people will steal simply for the excitement of trying to get away with something. In retail loss prevention we frequently would encounter the shoplifter who would steal because they were “dared” or “they wanted to see if they could do it”. There is an adrenaline rush some thieves feel and that drives their motivation.
Regardless of the reason, tablet theft and i-pad theft is as much a concern for veterinarians as it is for other medical practices. The Alpha Thunder Tag is the way to ensure that mobile devices and the information they carry remain secure.
Need information on Alpha Thunder Tag? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
