Alpha Thunder Tag

Alpha Thunder Tags Minimize Opportunity For Medical Mobile Device Theft

Alpha Thunder Tags-5 WC blog 58

i-pad theft-4

Tablet theft-4

Alpha Thunder Tags Minimize Opportunity For Medical Mobile Device Theft

• 2012 – 6 laptops and tablet devices stolen from Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Home Hospice offices. (Reported in Healthcare- Informatics.com, July 27, 2012 article by Gabriel Perna)

• 2013 – Four computers stolen in a July 15 burglary of an administrative building of Advocate Medical Group (Chicago Tribune, August 24, 2013, Peter Frost and Julie Wernau)

• 2014 – Nearly 20 tablet computers reported stolen from Medical Transporter of Georgia (wmcactionnews5.com Dec 02, 2014)

• 2014 – Laptop reported missing from Riverside County Regional Medical Center contained information on 563 patients (scmagazine.com, June 25, 2014, Adam Greenberg, Senior Reporter)

• 2015 – “Laptop stolen from a member of the faculty of LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine has potentially exposed the protected health information of approximately 5,000 minor patients…” (The Clarion-Ledger, September 15, 2015)

Tablet theft, i-pad theft and even laptop theft is a real issue for medical providers. You may operate a medical transport company, doctor’s office or dental clinic it doesn’t matter, if you use mobile devices you have a risk of theft. Some of the cases I have listed were due to break-ins, but others were incidents of theft. This article is about how the use of Alpha Thunder Tags and common sense steps on a daily basis can prevent your devices from leaving the building and creating a security risk.

Many businesses and offices associated with medicine and patient information are becoming more reliant on mobile devices for conducting business. Doctors and nurses are accessing patient information, looking up prescription information even consulting with other medical providers on treatments and procedures. The concern that needs to be addressed is what happens to the device during a consultation or patient interaction. How do you prevent in i-pad theft or laptop theft from taking place when someone has put down a device for a consultation or client interaction? If the office devices are secured with Alpha Thunder Tags a thief who picks one up and attempts to leave the building will trigger an alarm. The tag works with acoustic magnetic (AM) or radio frequency (RF) technology that will activate electronic article surveillance (EAS) antennas placed in doorways or entrance/exits to buildings. This assumes that a facility has EAS antennas installed in the building. If EAS antennas are not set up, a company, such as Checkpoint, offers a number of different antenna solutions that can be installed in office areas to provide a secure environment. If someone were to try to exit with a device and a Thunder Tag is on it, the tag has a built in annunciator that will sound and the antenna will also sound. The antennas also have built in LED lights that flash and alert staff of an unauthorized breach. To further protect against tablet theft, the Alpha Thunder Tag also has a tamper alarm that will sound if someone were to try to remove the tag from the mobile device.

If you are wondering whether the investment in an EAS system is worth the expense simply to install Alpha Thunder Tags to prevent i-pad theft or tablet theft, I would like to pose this question to you, what will the cost be to your business or practice if one of your devices is stolen? Not only will your business be liable to all the potential clients who had their information compromised, you will also be subject to enormous fines from the Department of Health and Human Services. Depending on the findings and number of patient records stolen, I have seen fines range from hundreds of thousands of dollars into the millions of dollars.

I mentioned at the beginning of this article I would share a few other ideas that can be implemented to help prevent i-pad theft or tablet theft. Devices that are not being used should be stored in a room that is inaccessible to the public. Devices need to charge, so this is the place where the charging station should be located. If the business has an after- hours cleaning service, a locking cabinet should be used for storing devices. Engrave all devices with a serial number or identification number. Labels with serial numbers can be removed, engraved markings are much more difficult and leave visible signs indicating information was covered over or erased. Require a user to sign in with a name or employee number and individual password so you know who last had a device.

Mobile technology offers so many advantages over the old paper files and even over the desktop computer. Faster access to information, accuracy and even improved patient care are some of the improvements mobile devices offer. They also have risks. Minimize those risks with Alpha Thunder Tags.

For more information on Alpha Thunder Tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

• 2012 – 6 laptops and tablet devices stolen from Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Home Hospice offices. (Reported in Healthcare- Informatics.com, July 27, 2012 article by Gabriel Perna)

• 2013 – Four computers stolen in a July 15 burglary of an administrative building of Advocate Medical Group (Chicago Tribune, August 24, 2013, Peter Frost and Julie Wernau)

• 2014 – Nearly 20 tablet computers reported stolen from Medical Transporter of Georgia (wmcactionnews5.com Dec 02, 2014)

• 2014 – Laptop reported missing from Riverside County Regional Medical Center contained information on 563 patients (scmagazine.com, June 25, 2014, Adam Greenberg, Senior Reporter)

• 2015 – “Laptop stolen from a member of the faculty of LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine has potentially exposed the protected health information of approximately 5,000 minor patients…” (The Clarion-Ledger, September 15, 2015)

Tablet theft, i-pad theft and even laptop theft is a real issue for medical providers. You may operate a medical transport company, doctor’s office or dental clinic it doesn’t matter, if you use mobile devices you have a risk of theft. Some of the cases I have listed were due to break-ins, but others were incidents of theft. This article is about how the use of Alpha Thunder Tags and common sense steps on a daily basis can prevent your devices from leaving the building and creating a security risk.

Many businesses and offices associated with medicine and patient information are becoming more reliant on mobile devices for conducting business. Doctors and nurses are accessing patient information, looking up prescription information even consulting with other medical providers on treatments and procedures. The concern that needs to be addressed is what happens to the device during a consultation or patient interaction. How do you prevent i-pad theft or laptop theft from taking place when someone has put down a device for a consultation or client interaction? If the office devices are secured with Alpha Thunder Tags a thief who picks one up and attempts to leave the building will trigger an alarm. The tag works with acoustic magnetic (AM) or radio frequency (RF) technology that will activate electronic article surveillance (EAS) antennas placed in doorways or entrance/exits to buildings. This assumes that a facility has EAS antennas installed in the building. If EAS antennas are not set up, a company, such as Checkpoint, offers a number of different antenna solutions that can be installed in office areas to provide a secure environment. If someone were to try to exit with a device and a Thunder Tag is on it, the tag has a built in annunciator that will sound and the antenna will also sound. The antennas also have built in LED lights that flash and alert staff of an unauthorized breach. To further protect against tablet theft, the Alpha Thunder Tag also has a tamper alarm that will sound if someone were to try to remove the tag from the mobile device.

If you are wondering whether the investment in an EAS system is worth the expense simply to install Alpha Thunder Tags to prevent i-pad theft or tablet theft, I would like to pose this question to you, what will the cost be to your business or practice if one of your devices is stolen? Not only will your business be liable to all the potential clients who had their information compromised, you will also be subject to enormous fines from the Department of Health and Human Services. Depending on the findings and number of patient records stolen, I have seen fines range from hundreds of thousands of dollars into the millions of dollars.

I mentioned at the beginning of this article I would share a few other ideas that can be implemented to help prevent i-pad theft or tablet theft. Devices that are not being used should be stored in a room that is inaccessible to the public. Devices need to charge, so this is the place where the charging station should be located. If the business has an after- hours cleaning service, a locking cabinet should be used for storing devices. Engrave all devices with a serial number or identification number. Labels with serial numbers can be removed, engraved markings are much more difficult and leave visible signs indicating information was covered over or erased. Require a user to sign in with a name or employee number and individual password so you know who last had a device.

Mobile technology offers so many advantages over the old paper files and even over the desktop computer. Faster access to information, accuracy and even improved patient care are some of the improvements mobile devices offer. They also have risks. Minimize those risks with Alpha Thunder Tags.

For more information on Alpha Thunder Tags, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

Protect Techno Tools For The Medical Field

Medical Field-4 , Checkpoint N10-1 , Alpha Thunder Tag-1 , Checkpoint Systems-1

Protect Techno Tools For The Medical Field

Many doctor’s offices are upgrading their facilities and adding technology to help streamline the process of visits. It makes the patients’ check in process better and can make the whole visit quicker. Purchasing these devices, however, can be a big investment for the practice. Many in the medical field are looking at what they need, but they may not be looking into how to protect those gadgets from theft. In the retail business, we have dealt with our mobile scanners being stolen by our customers, so it should come as no surprise that patients at a doctor’s office would be willing to steal their tools. And this is a much more costly loss than a few tongue depressors and rubber gloves.

My doctor is in an old building, with ancient equipment and old furniture in the waiting room. It’s a pretty standard process in there; it’s only the clipboards and other basics. I still like it because it’s comfortable. But I went with my husband today for a visit to his doctor. It wasn’t just fancy and very modern; the whole place had a new and futuristic look. It was like college meets medical field. Everything was digital. I was pretty impressed with the setup. When people check in at the front desk, they scan their palms to identify themselves. Then, after they verify everything, the patient is handed a paging type of device. We were instructed to sit in the main waiting room and remain until the device alerted us to the exam room. After a period of time, this device activates and displays a room number. We got on the elevator and went to the upper floor. When we got off, we saw a blinking light outside the room he had been assigned to. No one really interacted with us, but we knew exactly what to do and where to go. When we got in the room, after a short wait, the nurse came in and took the device. I couldn’t help but wonder what happens if she forgets to take it from the patient. A day at the office is not always relaxing and routine, especially when you’re dealing with sick people. I imagine there have been cases of these devices being stolen.

Like I said, I’m in retail, so theft of equipment does happen. Our scanners would show up on online auction sites on a regular basis, so it wouldn’t be a big surprise to find these things on there as well. Fortunately there are tools to combat this type of theft. Just like in retail, Checkpoint Systems has a solution for the medical field. There is a combination of tools offered that will secure those devices and keep them on the premises where they belong, even if a patient were to accidentally attempt to remove one. First there is the Checkpoint N10, a compact detection system that’s just as effective as the ones we use in our retail stores. This almost invisible monitoring choice can be attached to the door so they are not in the way or detract from the professional look of the office. Add another tool, the Alpha Thunder Tag, and the circle is complete. These tags attach to the device that needs to be protected and they are the trigger for the alarm if someone tries to remove it from the premises. They will also self-alarm if they are tampered with, or if the patient would try to remove them from the device. It’s a win-win package for the security needed in the new age of the medical field.

For more information on these devices and more, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

Many doctor’s offices are upgrading their facilities and adding technology to help streamline the process of visits. It makes the patients’ check in process better and can make the whole visit quicker. Purchasing these devices, however, can be a big investment for the practice. Many in the medical field are looking at what they need, but they may not be looking into how to protect those gadgets from theft. In the retail business, we have dealt with our mobile scanners being stolen by our customers, so it should come as no surprise that patients at a doctor’s office would be willing to steal their tools. And this is a much more costly loss than a few tongue depressors and rubber gloves.

My doctor is in an old building, with ancient equipment and old furniture in the waiting room. It’s a pretty standard process in there; it’s only the clipboards and other basics. I still like it because it’s comfortable. But I went with my husband today for a visit to his doctor. It wasn’t just fancy and very modern; the whole place had a new and futuristic look. It was like college meets medical field. Everything was digital. I was pretty impressed with the setup. When people check in at the front desk, they scan their palms to identify themselves. Then, after they verify everything, the patient is handed a paging type of device. We were instructed to sit in the main waiting room and remain until the device alerted us to the exam room. After a period of time, this device activates and displays a room number. We got on the elevator and went to the upper floor. When we got off, we saw a blinking light outside the room he had been assigned to. No one really interacted with us, but we knew exactly what to do and where to go. When we got in the room, after a short wait, the nurse came in and took the device. I couldn’t help but wonder what happens if she forgets to take it from the patient. A day at the office is not always relaxing and routine, especially when you’re dealing with sick people. I imagine there have been cases of these devices being stolen.

Like I said, I’m in retail, so theft of equipment does happen. Our scanners would show up on online auction sites on a regular basis, so it wouldn’t be a big surprise to find these things on there as well. Fortunately there are tools to combat this type of theft. Just like in retail, Checkpoint Systems has a solution for the medical field. There is a combination of tools offered that will secure those devices and keep them on the premises where they belong, even if a patient were to accidentally attempt to remove one. First there is the Checkpoint N10, a compact detection system that’s just as effective as the ones we use in our retail stores. This almost invisible monitoring choice can be attached to the door so they are not in the way or detract from the professional look of the office. Add another tool, the Alpha Thunder Tag, and the circle is complete. These tags attach to the device that needs to be protected and they are the trigger for the alarm if someone tries to remove it from the premises. They will also self-alarm if they are tampered with, or if the patient would try to remove them from the device. It’s a win-win package for the security needed in the new age of the medical field.

For more information on these devices and more, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

Patient Data On Medical Mobile Devices; Protect It With Alpha Thunder Tags

Alpha Thunder Tag-4 WC Blog 56

i-pad theft-3

Tablet theft-4

Patient Data On Medical Mobile Devices; Protect It With Alpha Thunder Tags

Remember the credit card commercials from several years ago that gave the prices of items and ended with a some touching moment or funny ending and the narrator ended the commercial with the word “priceless”? Here is my version of the commercial:

i-pad mini $299.99

ipad air 2 $374.99

Apple i-pad pro $1,082.89

Microsoft Surface Book $1,499.99

Microsoft Surface Pro 4 $2,199.00

Personal Data Security – Priceless!

In today’s medical field the use of medical mobile devices is becoming commonplace. i-pads, tablets, laptop computers all are taking the place of paper files and records. From the viewpoint of the medical providers I can appreciate what this access means in terms of providing faster service. Patient records are available at the tap of a screen or the few clicks of a mouse. The concern that I have seen expressed in medical related websites has been the breaches of medical information security. Not only is hacking of medical information from external threats an issue, there is also the issue related to laptop theft, tablet theft and i-pad theft. Many of the devices in use today can easily fit into a purse, a book bag and even under clothing. While there are not many anti-theft tools available to prevent theft of mobile devices, there is one effective device on the market, the Alpha Thunder Tag.

So the question you may be thinking is, “Why am I concerned, my devices have gps tracking so if they leave the building they can still be tracked?” Once the device leaves the building you no longer have control over it. What information can hackers retrieve if they do get into your tablet, i-pad or laptop? The Alpha Thunder Tag prevents laptop theft or tablet theft by attaching directly to the mobile device and has three potential alarm mechanisms. The first two alarms work in conjunction with electronic article surveillance (EAS) systems. If someone were to walk out with a device that has a tag on it, the EAS alarm antenna will activate an audible alarm built into the antenna. The device itself will also activate a built in audible alarm alerting staff to an unauthorized removal of the mobile technology from the building. Should someone attempt to remove the tag from a device in an effort to steal it, there is a tamper alarm that will sound.

Aside from the value of some of the tablets and i-pads being used in the medical field, what does tablet theft, or i-pad theft benefits someone? What could they possibly do with a patient’s medical information? In an April 23, 2014 Reuters (online) article by Jim Finkle, the writer quotes a senior manager from EMC Corporation, a company specializing in data storage, “Some criminals use medical records to impersonate patients with diseases so they can obtain prescriptions for controlled substances.” On the black market, prescription medications can be valued in the thousands of dollars, depending on the drug being sold. This does not include the value of personal information on the black market which I have read in several articles can be valued from $20 to $50 per patient. The buyers can obtain information about patients from billing addresses to social security numbers. The impact can be more severe than the data breaches suffered by major retailers in the past few years. Alpha Thunder Tags keep the devices used in medical offices in the building and out of the hands of criminals and hackers. Any attempts to exit a building with a Thunder Tag protected device and has entry points/exits secured with EAS antennas will activate the alarms and allow office personnel to intervene.

Who can benefit by preventing i-pad theft and tablet theft? Any medical provider that deals with patient information can benefit. This may be the family dentist practice on the corner or the small medical research laboratory. A medical provider that can become a victim does not have to be the regional medical center or medical school it can be the smaller office serving a local town. Any facility that begins converting to the use of mobile medical devices needs to consider the security offered by Alpha Thunder Tags.

For more information on Alpha Thunder Tags contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

Remember the credit card commercials from several years ago that gave the prices of items and ended with a some touching moment or funny ending and the narrator ended the commercial with the word “priceless”? Here is my version of the commercial:

i-pad mini $299.99

ipad air 2 $374.99

Apple i-pad pro $1,082.89

Microsoft Surface Book $1,499.99

Microsoft Surface Pro 4 $2,199.00

Personal Data Security – Priceless!

In today’s medical field the use of medical mobile devices is becoming commonplace. i-pads, tablets, laptop computers all are taking the place of paper files and records. From the viewpoint of the medical providers I can appreciate what this access means in terms of providing faster service. Patient records are available at the tap of a screen or the few clicks of a mouse. The concern that I have seen expressed in medical related websites has been the breaches of medical information security. Not only is hacking of medical information from external threats an issue, there is also the issue related to laptop theft, tablet theft and i-pad theft. Many of the devices in use today can easily fit into a purse, a book bag and even under clothing. While there are not many anti-theft tools available to prevent theft of mobile devices, there is one effective device on the market, the Alpha Thunder Tag.

So the question you may be thinking is, “Why am I concerned, my devices have gps tracking so if they leave the building they can still be tracked?” Once the device leaves the building you no longer have control over it. What information can hackers retrieve if they do get into your tablet, i-pad or laptop? The Alpha Thunder Tag prevents laptop theft or tablet theft by attaching directly to the mobile device and has three potential alarm mechanisms. The first two alarms work in conjunction with electronic article surveillance (EAS) systems. If someone were to walk out with a device that has a tag on it, the EAS alarm antenna will activate an audible alarm built into the antenna. The device itself will also activate a built in audible alarm alerting staff to an unauthorized removal of the mobile technology from the building. Should someone attempt to remove the tag from a device in an effort to steal it, there is a tamper alarm that will sound.

Aside from the value of some of the tablets and i-pads being used in the medical field, what does tablet theft, or i-pad theft benefits someone? What could they possibly do with a patient’s medical information? In an April 23, 2014 Reuters (online) article by Jim Finkle, the writer quotes a senior manager from EMC Corporation, a company specializing in data storage, “Some criminals use medical records to impersonate patients with diseases so they can obtain prescriptions for controlled substances.” On the black market, prescription medications can be valued in the thousands of dollars, depending on the drug being sold. This does not include the value of personal information on the black market which I have read in several articles can be valued from $20 to $50 per patient. The buyers can obtain information about patients from billing addresses to social security numbers. The impact can be more severe than the data breaches suffered by major retailers in the past few years. Alpha Thunder Tags keep the devices used in medical offices in the building and out of the hands of criminals and hackers. Any attempts to exit a building with a Thunder Tag protected device and has entry points/exits secured with EAS antennas will activate the alarms and allow office personnel to intervene.

Who can benefit by preventing i-pad theft and tablet theft? Any medical provider that deals with patient information can benefit. This may be the family dentist practice on the corner or the small medical research laboratory. A medical provider that can become a victim does not have to be the regional medical center or medical school it can be the smaller office serving a local town. Any facility that begins converting to the use of mobile medical devices needs to consider the security offered by Alpha Thunder Tags.

For more information on Alpha Thunder Tags contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

Don’t Put Patient Information and Safety At Risk – Alpha Thunder Tags Can Protect Mobile Devices From Theft

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Tablet Theft – 5

Laptop Theft – 3

Don’t Put Patient Information and Safety At Risk – Alpha Thunder Tags Can Protect Mobile Devices From Theft

The use of mobile technology in the medical field has had many positive benefits. According to a MEDPAGE TODAY article dated 02/10/2014, “Hospitals Use Tablets As Extension Of EHRs”, by David Pittman,

• “Hospital rounds are completed more quickly” (University of Chicago Medicine)

• “Tests can be ordered more quickly” (Vanderbilt University)

• “The University of Pittsburgh tested software that can allow doctors to jump between apps without having to reenter patient information”

• “Improvement in length of time for nurses to enter vital signs”

While the benefits continue to grow and medical centers and doctor’s offices see the advantages of using mobile technology, there are certain risks associated with the devices if they are lost or stolen. Because these portable devices tend to be small, they can be difficult to protect. The Alpha Thunder Tag has protections built in that make it the perfect choice in preventing tablet theft or laptop theft.

The Alpha Thunder Tag is attached to the back of a device using a special adhesive. To prevent unauthorized persons from removing the tag, a plunger built into the Thunder Tag will release if tampered with. An alarm will then sound and alert staff to the attempted tablet theft or device theft. There are 3 alarms that this protective device can activate. The first, we just covered, a tamper alarm to prevent removal. The second alarm will set off an Electronic Article Surveillance Antenna if an attempt to walk out through an antenna is attempted. The third alarm is in the Thunder Tag. Not only will the tag set off the antenna alarm, it has a built in alarm that will sound if someone tries to exit a building exit that is secured with an Electronic Article Surveillance Antenna.

The question then arises, why would anyone attempt to steal a mobile medical device? The quick answer is access to patient information. Hospitals, medical research centers, dentist offices, etc. all are moving to the use of this technology. Medical staff can rapidly access information that once was available only on desktop computers or paper charts and files. As patient information is accessed on mobile technology, there is the chance that data becomes vulnerable to would be hackers and that information can be valuable. There are people who will buy personal information and use it for creating false identifications or to open fraudulent accounts. Medical Laptop theft or tablet theft, could also compromise patient safety. On the website fda.gov/downloads/medicaldevices/deviceregulationandguidance/guidancedocuments “Content of Premarket Submissions for Management of Cyber Security in Medical Devices”, the following information is provided on page 2: “Failure to maintain cybersecurity can result in compromised device functionality, loss of data (medical or personal) availability or integrity, or exposure of other connected devices or networks to security threats. This in turn may have the potential to result in patient illness, injury or death.” The dangers of medical tablet theft and laptop theft could carry over from information breaches to actual potential physical harm to patients. If a tablet is attached to another device, for example a medication dispenser via an application, someone could remotely dispense the wrong medication or too much medication. The use of Alpha Thunder tags can prevent this by preventing the tablet theft in the first place.

Because devices are not very large, I include laptops since they can fit in a good sized purse or book bag, they are easy to misplace or just lay down on a countertop. In an office of any size, even one that is not very busy, if someone is not careful, a patient or office visitor can pick up a device from a shelf or desk. Should someone attempt to leave with the device that is tagged, the electronic article surveillance system or the alarm on the device, will sound and alert office personnel.

As the medical provider, you have a responsibility for the safety of client information. Don’t put your patient’s personal information or their safety at risk. Protect your office mobile devices with a proven security, the Alpha Thunder Tag.

For more information on the Alpha Thunder Tag, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547

The use of mobile technology in the medical field has had many positive benefits. According to a MEDPAGE TODAY article dated 02/10/2014, “Hospitals Use Tablets As Extension Of EHRs”, by David Pittman,• “Hospital rounds are completed more quickly” (University of Chicago Medicine)