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NOAA has revised its May prediction regarding the Atlantic hurricane season, saying that forecasters are now expecting a less intense season than originally anticipated. As we are entering what often proves to be the worst time of year for hurricanes in the Atlantic, that’s good news — but it doesn’t mean the danger is over!

NOAA’s Revised Predictions

As of early August, NOAA gave the following updated predictions regarding this year’s hurricane season for the Atlantic:

• 9 to 13 total named storms are predicted (winds 39 mph or greater)
• 4 to 7 of those storms are expected to become hurricanes (winds in excess of 73 mph)
• Of the hurricanes, up to 2 are expected to turn into major hurricanes (winds in excess of 110 mph)

Thus far, in the Atlantic, there have been only 5 named storms (Alberto, Beryl, Chris, Debby, and Ernesto). Two of those developed into hurricanes, but neither of them went on to develop into major hurricanes.

Based on NOAA’s current predictions, there will be between 4 and 8 more storms, of which 2 to 5 may turn into hurricanes. Of the hurricanes, there is a chance that none of them will turn into major hurricanes, but there still remains a threat of severe storms for the U.S. Keep in mind that this does not involve landfall predictions, which are more closely tied to short-term weather patterns.

Another aspect of their revised predictions involves the probability of whether or not this will prove to be a normal hurricane season. The current forecast is:

• A 10% chance that this will prove to be an above-normal season
• A 30% chance of a near normal season
• A 60% chance of a below normal season

The highest probability indicates that we can expect a below normal season, which is good news for all involved – especially those areas that were hit hard last year. This prediction is up from 25% probability of a below normal season from NOAA’s predictions back in May.

Why We’ve Had A Below Normal Season Thus Far

We’ve reached what is considered peak hurricane season, and thus far the predictions have proven accurate.  One of the measures of the lifetime and strength of storms is Accumulated Cyclone Energy. Thus far, the accumulated cyclone energy for the Atlantic is below average for this time of year. The hurricane season is remaining extremely mild, and meteorologists have attributed this to three key things: cooler temperatures, dry air, and El Niño.

The first reason for a below-normal season prediction is cooler than average temperatures, including those across the surface of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Temperatures have also been cooler between the Lesser Antilles and Africa. When disturbances exit Africa, they are met with cool air and a stable atmosphere that works to suppress them.

Air in certain regions of the Atlantic has been much drier than usual, making for an atmosphere that is inhospitable to the development of storms. Another major factor is El Nino. Right now, meteorologists are predicting a 60-70% likelihood El Niño will develop with enough strength to suppress further storms. El Niño is expected to produce enough wind shear to disrupt thunderstorm formation.

Thoughts as We Enter Peak Season

Hurricane season comes to an end on November 30, but we aren’t out of danger yet. Historically, most of the devastating hurricanes tend to occur between the last part of August and late September. That means the most dangerous time of hurricane season is already upon us, and the longer we go without a hurricane then the more likely it is that one will develop.

Right now, meteorologists are predicting multiple tropical waves in development along the western coast of Africa. This is known as the Main Development Region (MDR) for Atlantic hurricane and has a major impact on the development of Atlantic hurricanes. Weather forecasters are predicting an uptick in activity that will no doubt have an effect on the most active month of the Atlantic hurricane season — September. Historically, more hurricanes tend to form in the Atlantic during the month of September than any other month of the year.

Hurricane Katrina made landfall in New Orleans on August 29, 2005. Hurricane Harvey made landfall on August 25, 201,7 in South Texas. Hurricane Wilma made landfall in South Florida on October 24, 2005. That shows the range of dates that we can expect from landfalls of major hurricanes.

Conclusion

The Atlantic hurricane season has been quite mild this year, due in no small part to lower sea and ocean surface temperatures, dryer air, and the development of El Niño. While in all likelihood we won’t see the same level of hurricane-wrought devastation that we experienced last year, there remains a significant threat of hurricanes — especially with recent developments in the Atlantic hurricanes’ MDR. Keep in mind that these are only predictions, and that it only takes one severe hurricane to wreak havoc and destruction to an entire state. After a full year, people in Houston, Texas are still recovering from Hurricane Harvey. Stay alert to warnings, and don’t take the personal safety of you or your family for granted simply because this is expected to be a below normal hurricane season.

A Look Inside a Company Who Has Successfully Made the Switch

If you are self-employed or run a business, you more than likely use Microsoft Office in some or most of your day-to-day operations.

If you haven’t made the switch to Microsoft Office 365, you have probably considered it or given it some thought. Maybe you’ve been so busy running your business that you’re not sure exactly what Office 365 can offer over traditional Microsoft Office software. Let’s take a closer look.

What Exactly is Office 365?

Here is Microsoft’s product description:

Office 365 refers to subscription plans that include access to Office

applications plus other productivity services that are enabled over the

Internet (cloud services), such as Lync web conferencing and Exchange

Online hosted email for business, and additional online storage with

OneDrive and Skype world minutes for home.

To break Microsoft’s description down, you get access to full Office desktop apps, mobile apps for Android and iOS for your tablets and smartphones, OneDrive storage, Skype minutes and more.

Basically, this is Microsoft Office for the Cloud.

As a business owner, it’s important to decide whether it’s wise to keep using the traditional perpetual-license versions of Office. An Office 365 subscription does include a lot more features and they’re accessible from anywhere. Your employees can work from home computers or smartphones.

If we’re talking big picture, making that switch to 365 presents a lot of benefits for you and your business.

• Office 365 offers a regular and predictable subscription rate. The office programs are updated automatically. Contrast this with buying the physical version that must be upgraded every few years.
• You can install Office apps on multiple devices without encountering all the activation issues that can come with software downloads.
• Since it is cloud-based, Microsoft offers regular patches for any known vulnerabilities.
• Gain access to Microsoft’s vast collection of cloud-based services.

Let’s Look at a Company Who Has Already Made the Switch

Henkel, a chemical products manufacturer based out of Düsseldorf, Germany, made the switch to Office 365 back in 2015. With nearly four years of regular use, their company is a good case study to observe and calculate if the switch to Office 365 was worth it.

Henkel has made a name for itself by manufacturing laundry and home care products, beauty supplies, and adhesives. With their products being used by consumers and organizations in over 75 countries, Henkel needs to implement their software solutions in various languages.

To achieve their business goals, the company is proactive in implementing the latest technology to provide a modern workplace for employees. As the world continues to be more and more connected, this company understands the need to connect team members with their business partners and customers to produce successful outcomes.

Before making the switch to Office 365, Henkel had an aging IT set-up with outdated productivity tools. These antiquated tools did not allow team members to collaborate and communicate with the company’s 47,000 employees. Implementing Microsoft Office 365 changed the way they operated, and they observed immediate benefits. Since adding Office 365, Henkel has increased productivity and employees can stay connected across all departments and locations around the globe.

Choosing to take a huge jump and invest in the cloud instead of upgrading their old systems, they were able to simplify the environment in which they operated.

Not only were they more connected across their massive company, Henkel also noted the benefits of a simplified way to work in mobile situations. Team members were able to freely work outside the office space and connect with their business partners and customers.

Watch Henkel’s Office 365 Video HERE

What Are Your Purchasing Options?

If you choose to adopt Office 365, the next decision is picking the right Office 365 edition for you and your business. As with everything else in the modern workplace, Microsoft offers more than a dozen options to choose from, at prices ranging from $5 to $35 a month, per user.

Every Office 365 package includes:

• Office desktop apps for Windows or Mac – They are frequently updated giving you the latest version.
• The ability to install the desktop programs on up to five PCs or Macs.
• Exchange Online Email.
• 1TB of OneDrive cloud file storage.
• Mobile apps for installation on up to five phones and five tablets, running iOS (iPhone or iPad), Android or Windows.
• Collaboration and communication tools for your employees.

Microsoft breaks down the options to purchase an Office 365 Home subscription or an Office 365 business edition. Some of the smaller businesses may able to get by using a home subscription if their needs are small or if they are self-employed.

For a complete list of your purchasing options, you can visit the Microsoft Office 365 Store for Home and the Microsoft Office 365 Store for Business.

How Does One Choose Technology to Properly Manage People, Planning, and Processing in the Legal Sector?

Although law firms are often willing to improve and modernize their level of technology to better serve their clients, they are hesitant, as they do not know where to begin. What sort of technology would best fit their personal situation? Additionally, many firms are partner-based where there is less collaboration that is often found in other organizational structures. This can make it difficult to implement new technology, even when there is a consensus that it would be beneficial.

The security of personal information, however, is important in any organization. This is even more vital in the legal sector. The legal ramifications and increased regulations to protect the privacy and security create greater challenges. Increases in the volume of data handled by many law offices require a more technically savvy, automated system. The skill levels of those trying to illegally obtain that sensitive information points to a higher level of governing security. There are several aspects to consider.

What Are Variations Between Information Governance (IG) and Data Governance?

The “Information Governance Initiative” (IGI) defines IG as the following: “The activities and technologies that organizations use to maximize the value of their information while minimizing risk and cost.” Where Data Governance focuses primarily on data, IG goes beyond merely governing data. It requires businesses to work closely with Information Technology (IT) to improve the following aspects:

• Improve data protection
• Improve overall business processes
• Improve information management

Effective IG works to utilize IT counterparts to implement the improved organizational technology. The goal is to protect data and information, as well as overall make the business more efficient. This improves the attorney/client experience and ultimately improves the bottom line. Therefore, it offsets the initial cost of increasing technology.

How Does Communication Technology Improve the Attorney’s Experience?

By integrating more modern communication technology options, firms enable data transfer and information to reside in a centralized location to which the necessary parties have access. With portals, such as the LAA Online Portal, associates collaborate on cases and share files with ease.

Chatbots provide a simple way for clients to contact their lawyer directly. They also let consultants speak one-on-one without scheduling appointments. With faster communication, the typically slow “wheels of justice” are sped up exponentially. A combined approach that a consulting IT organizes and implements, reduces confusion and errors, as answers are often prompt, if not instantaneous.

How Does Organization Technology Aid Law Firms?

Organizational technology includes such things as improved data management plans, as well as better file storage systems. As information is more readily available, it is easier to find. Rather than spending hours or days searching through paper archives and journals, the information is right at a lawyer’s fingertips. They are easily accessible via search terms. This frees legal staff to spend their time on other aspects and tasks. It decreases workload and, perhaps, allows the firm to take on a greater number of clients. This results in a more profitable fiscal year.

What Forms of Content Analysis and Information Management Are Required?

Not only does IG require a data organization system. It requires information storage featuring secure retrieval. Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is a concern for any business. This is important in the legal sector, as having secure and easily accessed records is instrumental. Protection against loss is necessary.

More than ever before, risk management is part of IG’s importance for law offices. The potential threats of losing data to a cyberbully have increased as the technology itself has grown. In fact, the accident transferal of sensitive material is not out of the realm of possibility. This is especially true as associates spend more time working digitally, rather than working with hard copies. Without the proper protections in place, this could be catastrophic.

Data mapping allows an organization to determine what information is in their possession, where that information should be located, and how to easily access it. This is important for the following purposes:

• Business Intelligence
• Compliance
• Data Privacy
• Data Security
• Litigation
• Risk Management

It is also important that firms work with those who understand and can meet their specific needs. There aren’t a “one-size-fits-all.” An individual approach per field, as well as office, is required. Working with a team to develop the best plan is integral for successful, sustainable use.

In Conclusion

Implementing more advanced technology is required for the proper governance of information. With the currently available IG technology, solutions provide content level and file level analysis throughout a legal firm or a network of partners. Having access to the right IG plan for a specific law firm allows it to fulfill the necessary communication, organization, filing, security, data privacy, and legal accountability that some data requires. IG practices realize how important the three key ingredients are in creating a functional, efficient workspace. The essential elements are people, process, and technology.

A recent study conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Scout, a healthcare marketing firm, uncovered some interesting statistics about healthcare data security and public perception. It determined that out of 2,000 US adults, about half are extremely or very concerned about the security of their healthcare data.

Another study, conducted by Protenus Breach Barometer, found that in the second quarter of 2018, from April to June, more than 3.15 million patient records were compromised across a total of 142 healthcare data breaches. The report reinforces the need for strong security measures in the healthcare system, concluding that healthcare organizations must maintain vigilance and be constantly on the lookout for best practices in healthcare privacy.

Examining The Data

Protenus Breach Barometer joined forces with Databreaches.com to gather data from a number of sources, including press reports, HHS, and nonpublic data from Protenus’ AI platform. According to incidents reported to the HHS or by the media, 31% of these breaches were executed by insiders.

 

According to the report published by Protenus, it’s believed that an individual healthcare employee who has breached patient privacy once is more than 30 percent more likely to repeat the offense within a three-month time frame. The chances that the employee will do so again within one year rises to more than 66%. Therefore, a delay in identifying and reporting these offenses is further putting institutions at risk.

The company estimated that out of 1,000 healthcare employees, more than nine are responsible for breaching patient privacy — an estimate up from five employees in the previous quarter.

One of the most common insider-related data breaches was family snooping, which accounted for a whopping 71% of the reported privacy violations. This number is down from 77 during Q1 of 2018.

According to the report, it can take organizations, on average, 204 days to identify a breach once it has occurred. Out of 61 incidents in which data was disclosed, the average time between when a data breach is identified, to the time it is reported to HHS or other sources, is 71 days. According to HHS requirements, a healthcare organization must report a breach involving 500 or more individuals no later than 60 days of discovery of the breach. Coincidentally, the largest gaps between the occurrence of the breach and discovery were reported with insider-related cases.

Out of the 143 healthcare data breaches disclosed, healthcare providers reported 99 of them, whereas 15 of them were disclosed by an insurance company or health plan. Business associates and third-party vendors were responsible for disclosing 18 of the cases, and ten were reported by other organizations.

It’s well known that healthcare security teams are lacking in manpower. It was reported that in hospital teams responsible for identifying insider threats, one investigator may be responsible for monitoring nearly 4,000 employees on average. This individual is responsible for 2.5 hospitals and handles a median of 25 cases.

With cyber threats on the rise within the industry, it’s vital that healthcare organizations do more to more to protect patient data. Thirty-eight states were included in the report’s 142 disclosed health data breaches. Out of these, California was responsible for the largest number of data breaches, with 20 incidents. Texas reported 13 incidents, ranking it the second highest.

The Rise Of Healthcare Hacking

Cyber threats are common in the digital world, but the stakes are particularly high in healthcare systems. According to the report, healthcare hacking accounted for 52 data breaches in Q2, which is a figure up from 30 during Q1.

Forty-four of these hacking incidents affected 2,065,813 patient records, with seven of them involving malware or ransomware. Ten hacking incidents mentioned a phishing attack.

In addition to phishing, malware, and ransomware, 23 incidents of those reported were related to theft. More than 600,000 patient records were compromised, with data disclosed for 19 of the 23 incidents.

Healthcare Hacking Prevention Tactics

There are some actions healthcare organizations can take to ensure they are keeping up with best practices in patient record security. The most important action to take is to perform an organization-wide risk analysis that covers all devices that contain ePHI or systems and devices that may be used to access PHI. Once this is performed, organizations can put into action a risk management plan that addresses and reduces all identified vulnerabilities.

It’s also important for healthcare organizations to keep up-to-date with the latest in equipment and regulations. All software systems should be maintained properly, with encryptions and backups implemented accordingly to protect patient information to the fullest extent. According to HIPAA, a good strategy for patient information backup is the 3-2-1 approach, which calls for at least three copies of data, across two different media, with one of these copies stored securely off-site.

Healthcare organizations may also do well to consider teaming up with threat intelligence organizations to keep privy about newly discovered threats and vulnerabilities. All of these steps combined can form a strong line of defense against healthcare hacking.

What Is Snapchat And What Business Uses Does It Have?

Snapchat is a form of now commonly used social media more recent than Facebook, Myspace, or Twitter. It’s unique in that it allows users to create pictures or messages that are only available for a short period of time before they become inaccessible to viewers. This is considered a convenient self-cleaning of media in addition to its other features. Just like Facebook timelines and Twitter feeds, users are allowed to create original “Stories” as 24-hour feeds of content presented chronologically through the app.

A “Discover” feature allows businesses to have an interactive exploration of their products or services. The app was developed for mobile technology and continues to evolve with the emphasis on virtual ‘stickers’ and affected ‘reality objects.’ Although not all features are unique to the software, business uses of Snapchat can include some pretty attractive features:

• Frequently updated postings
• Promotion through marketing channels
• Creating sponsoring lenses
• Allowing people to explore content through interactive features
• Integrated content created by users
• Promotion of products or services through discounts and promotion code marketing
• Promoting new products

One of the best features that users love is that SnapChat allows celebrities and other people of interest to directly access the app. This means you might be able to view Jennifer Garner’s favorite places to eat or check out LeBron James on vacation in Italy.

Many of today’s top organizations are now successfully using the Snapchat app, including:

• Taco Bell
• Disney
• Gatorade
• Starbucks
• McDonald’s
• AT&T
• Many others

As with other widespread social media programs, Snapchat can be used in traditional business practices including the social media marketing mix, brand strengthening processes, community engagement, and brand awareness.

According to The Social Media Examiner, over 100 million people use the app every day, responsible for up to 400 million snaps each day, and while 71% of the estimated billion viewers are between the ages of 18 to 34, it is considered one of the fastest growing networks. Access to live events can be provided through streaming, and the NBA is an example of a major organization that has been taking advantage of this.

Private content can be delivered through the software, and contests and other perks can be added to the organization’s storyline. Internal developments can be shown through the service while users can partner with influencers. People can also effectively “follow” organizations analogous to post subscriptions available on Twitter or Facebook.

What Are The Security Risks And Why Should I Be Concerned?

Snapchat’s features can be more convenient for some users, but it has security risks that may also be unique and therefore uniquely be concerning to users. The software, in short, may not be as private as it may seem. The creative nature of the app means that much of the user provided content is not covered by the same privacy and protection offered through other social media services like Facebook and Twitter.

The “snaps” that are made and posted can be potentially retrieved with software tools, and both forensic analysts and hackers alike have some potential to exploit this. According to the Telegraph, it is possible for hackers to intercept Snaps in transmission processes despite levels of encryption. This is due to the potential for decryption through a form of reverse engineering possible through the Android application package file.

This does not mean that Snapchat is less secure than services such as iMessage, but it is likely less secure than many people assume. Another potential issue is the possibility that a business will not have access to records if claims are made regarding the nature of posts that have automatically deleted. This could result in dually unfounded claims in court that can cost the organization funding and negative publicity if nothing else.

As explained in depth by The Hacker News, the source code of the program itself has also been hacked and posted online after a cyber thief was able to obtain it. The posting made the confidential information of the organization vulnerable to other people who could misuse it. In addition, a number of apps now exist that can capture your Snaps without alerting you. One popular site like this called “SnapSave” was breached in 2014 and 200,000 Snaps were leaked publically.

What Additional Security Concerns Should I Have If Using SnapChat?  

In general, businesses who plan to use SnapChat should take some precautions to avoid being exploited. These are discussed below:

• Enable login verification (2FA).
• Educate users at your workplace who will be in charge of SnapChat with information about security breaches and such.
• Manually restrict and control access.
• Ignore random requests.
• Make sure that only those connected with your account are able to connect with it.
• Limit who can see your stories.
• Transfer private snaps saved in memories to the ‘my eyes only’ section for added privacy.
• Never publically share your Snapcode or username.

Conclusion

SnapChat can be a powerful business tool that lets your company connect directly with your consumers, fans, and other interested parties. However, by following a few security protocols you can protect your account against hackers and other intruders. As with all your IT technology, hackers are always on the look-out for weak perimeters that will allow them to come in and steal from you.

Australia’s Northern Territory – 1.35 million square kilometers with a population of an estimated 250,000, is not one of the first places you think of when one thinks of installing a state-of-the-art Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. Nonetheless, the Northern Territory is at the halfway mark to having innovative inpatient and outpatient functions for its six hospitals, 54 health centers, and numerous other health facilities. The system goal is “one patient, one record” with data shared by all providers.

As always, one of the goals of the EHR implementation is improved quality of care and improved outcomes. The Northern Territory has four times the rate of avoidable hospitalization, compared to the rest of Australia. The average age at death is 67.6, which is 14.4 years short of the national average of 82 years old. The territory has the highest rate of renal failure in the world, making dialysis services a necessity. Diabetes is widespread. 60% of males and 50% of females are smokers. 25.5% of the population is aboriginal, the highest population proportion of any Australian state or territory.

The aboriginal population has a higher incidence of several serious diseases, including diabetes, mental health problems, respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease. It also has diseases that are virtually unknown outside its members: trachoma (an eye infection) and bacterial heart disease, to name a few.

The Pros and Cons of a New EHR System

The current system is described as “…held together with sticky tape” and has a history of failed efforts at replacement, as do many large health IT projects. This time, however, things appear to be on track for a successful conclusion. The project, which has five years to go to completion is on budget. This in itself is a miracle.

Any medical personnel who have been involved in an EHR implementation will tell you that growing pains are inevitable. Training, no matter how thorough, will not communicate every nuance of the system. There will be periods where a doctor tries three times to save the record of a patient visit, only to have to call a nurse to come in and show him how to do it – again. There will be downtimes that are an utter mystery to the support staff. The supposedly impossible will happen and the mainframe component will require yet another initial program load. The physicians will curse their interface as “the worst video game ever invented.”

The real benefits will become apparent only after the shakedown cruise. The system will feed data into Australia’s universal “My Health Record,” which allows patients to see much of what their providers see. Research has indicated that giving patients access to lab values and test reports can increase health awareness and prompt more meaningful conversations with providers.

Why Australia Is Creating a Better Healthcare System

Australia was among the first nations to recognize the power of a fully national electronic health record. The Health Connect program, which ran from 2005-2009, set the parameters for the successful My Health Record program and, as was expected, revealed a number of pitfalls in trying to link disparate systems.

Australia has mastered lessons the US is still struggling to learn in the areas of consistency of nomenclature and interoperability. One of the most significant lessons learned is that such a national health system does not work unless the vast majority of the population agrees to have their records made available and included in the database. For that reason, Australia is switching from an opt-in system to an opt-out system in 2018. Everyone’s data will be included unless they explicitly forbid it.

Huge Financial Savings

In 2009, it was estimated that the full implementation of My Health Record could save at least $300 million per year in reduced errors. Having one consistent record alone –“one version of the truth,” as it has been called – accounts for the bulk of that. Few are the providers who have not faced two different versions of a diagnosis, a prescription, or a lab result from the same patient and wondered which one represents reality. Having a single record prevents that. When errors do slip past the data consolidation phase, at least they are usually more obvious than they are in paper records.

Wrap Up

Australia’s national health record program, in the Health Connect period, was aimed at providing a critical subset of data. As it evolved into the My Health Record phase, it has moved towards the inclusion of virtually all data. Because of the emphasis on a national system from the beginning, it has encountered fewer road blocks than have similar efforts in the United States. Australia was also able to learn from the British experience with its National Health Service. Having a single national health plan, of course, removed many of the roadblocks that the United States has encountered.