IT Question

[R Bedell]

IT Network Question...........

My daughter is an Office Manager in a Doctor's Office. This office gets a periodic inspection from the Gov't (or agent), to see and verify if their office is "HIPA" compliant.

She called me today with this question. They got a visit today, and the computer technician stated, that the present Microsoft WIN7 Pro, which is on all their PC's, is NOT secure enough to be HIPA compliant. That this office needs to upgrade to WIN10 to meet the current HIPA standards. This technician also claims, that Microsoft will soon stop supporting WIN7.

So I am thinking, isn't a PC's security based on a number of things, ie: OS security, Firewalls, Anti-virus, Anti-Spam, and Anti-Malware programs which are all third party add-ons..???

Is this legitimate or sales hype to sell this office all new PC's....???

[Baccarat]

Sounds like a sales pitch to me.

Last I read anything about Microsoft operating systems a few years ago, when they were discontinuing support on Windows XP. However, the majority of banks, hospitals, and the like still use XP today. As long as you signed up for a "Business Client" account, Microsoft will still support XP. IIRC that was in '12. That is when I went to all Apple pc's and operating systems.

I believe you are correct about PC's security systems being paid "Add On" type software programs.

Microsoft is about as secure as the only roll of tp in a women's public restroom IMO.

[Marko141]

I checked the pharmacy in Walmart and they use windows 7. Huge company like that makes it through with no issue. They have alternative programs within the computer that control the patient information. HIPAA is taken serious though in the medical field.

[CubDieselFan]

I am not sure about HIPA, but Microsoft is scheduled to stop supporting windows 7 in 2020. Their current machines can be upgraded.

[TommyK]

Originally Posted by R Bedell

IT Network Question...........

My daughter is an Office Manager in a Doctor's Office. This office gets a periodic inspection from the Gov't (or agent), to see and verify if their office is "HIPA" compliant.

She called me today with this question. They got a visit today, and the computer technician stated, that the present Microsoft WIN7 Pro, which is on all their PC's, is NOT secure enough to be HIPA compliant. That this office needs to upgrade to WIN10 to meet the current HIPA standards. This technician also claims, that Microsoft will soon stop supporting WIN7.

So I am thinking, isn't a PC's security based on a number of things, ie: OS security, Firewalls, Anti-virus, Anti-Spam, and Anti-Malware programs which are all third party add-ons..???

Is this legitimate or sales hype to sell this office all new PC's....???

It's legit. My wife's company just stopped allowing her remote access with our windows 7 PC, she now has to use windows 10. I think microsoft is trying to speed up the transition to windows 10, after so many companies/ppl held onto their XP machines. Those windows 7 pc's should be fine if they have the proper anti-virus software, but as cubdieselfan stated, that is only until the windows support stops, that OS has a finite lifespan. Is there any IT support at your daughter's office? They could have upgraded all those PC's to windows 10 for free when it was offered.

[R Bedell]

The office she works at went from XP to WIN7 just within the last 18 months. She found it odd that their PC's only being 18 months old, were now not good enough.

I am no expert in the HIPA arena, but it sounded like a Sales Pitch to sell some new equipment. That is why I posted here. Seems there are some well experienced IT guys here.

[Marko141]

Originally Posted by R Bedell

The office she works at went from XP to WIN7 just within the last 18 months. She found it odd that their PC's only being 18 months old, were now not good enough.

I am no expert in the HIPA arena, but it sounded like a Sales Pitch to sell some new equipment. That is why I posted here. Seems there are some well experienced IT guys here.

That Walmart pharmacies oldest machines are windows 7 computers. Sounds like a sales pitch, and the HIPAA* "agent" is trying to scare her if anything into buying new stuff. The applications on the equipment should be the same no matter the windows. Walmart uses Connexus for their prescription and HIPAA protection.

[ejl6658]

I work in the healthcare industry on imaging equipment such as mri, ct scanners, and xray equipment. All machines require the computers to have logins that time out after the computer has set idle for an adjustable amount of time hence preventing someone on site without authorization from accessing the computer and viewing sensitive information. Firewalls can be setup to only allow only certain ip addresses or none at all to access the computer remotely. We do not use Windows based machine on our equipment and I don't know if Windows base software packages have the login time out features and the required firewall packages needed.

[TommyK]

Originally Posted by R Bedell

The office she works at went from XP to WIN7 just within the last 18 months. She found it odd that their PC's only being 18 months old, were now not good enough.

I am no expert in the HIPA arena, but it sounded like a Sales Pitch to sell some new equipment. That is why I posted here. Seems there are some well experienced IT guys here.

I believe 2016 was the last year windows 7 pc's were available. Her office may have even purchased the pc's with windows 10 with option to use windows 7 instead.
It's not really a sales pitch, as windows 10 was free, and probably still is. Especially if the pc's are only 18 months old, their hardware should be fine for windows 10.
1/2 of the pc's where i work run windows 7, 1/2 windows 10. The windows 10 pc's replaced 9 year old XP machines. I recently had to install windows 7 onto a new hard drive to replace one that had died. While installing windows 7 i was asked if i wanted to install windows 10 instead. Our windows 7 pc's are 7 years old, back then you got OS reinstall discs with your pc when purchased. I used the disc to reinstall windows 7. So if the dr's office has discs, they could reconfig those Pc's to windows 10. Another option is downloading windows 10 from microsoft, then try installing it on one of the pc's, using the windows 7 product key. I have not tried this myself, but i think it would work. Her office would have to test a PC.

[green 4 acres]

I was targeted and shot at , at a golf course
A guy was hit in the chest , lots of blood.
I tried to contact this man to tell him ,but because of HIPA ,l was denied contact or apparently even any investigation