Are Big Data and Cloud Computing Related? How?

Big data and cloud computing are the most hyped phenomenon driving the IT stream of businesses all around the world. Experts say that the emergence of big data was a result of the rise of cloud computing and cloud data stores. Unexceptionally, both these terminologies hold high degrees of similarity in the IT industry. They are inter-dependent in the manner that cloud resources are required to support big data projects and storage while big data is a huge business case for moving the cloud.

Big Data is more about extracting VALUE out of Variety, Velocity and Volume while Cloud has its focus on scalable, elastic, on-demand, and pay-per-use self-service models. Big Data needs a large on-demand compute power and distributed storage and Cloud seamlessly provides elastic on-demand computer required for the same. The workload nature of the Big Data computing infrastructure makes it a perfect case for the cloud.

There are many patterns which highlight the relationship better:

SIMPLICITY: To mention it simply, simplification is the key component of Cloud and Big Data, which is the prime reason for their mass adoption.  The simplification provided by the combination of Big Data and Cloud Computing can increase the adoption of a seemingly complex problem of large scale distributed processing.

COST-EFFICIENCY: Both Cloud and Big Data deliver value to companies by lowering the cost of ownership. Their combination has been driving the cost down for enterprise and bringing value to enterprises.

SECURITY: Both the platforms offer data security and protect privacy concerns. System integrators have been building solutions within the enterprise to build Elastic Scalable Private Cloud Solution that brings in the value which enterprises can leverage to bring a Scalable Distributed Processing in action within the enterprise.

For more details on cloud computing, visit NetActivity or call Harry Bhatia at 216-503-5150 X 206. http://www.netactivity.us/contact-us



Source: http://www.netactivity.us/blog/are-big-data-and-cloud-computing-related-how/

Only 10% of Hospitals & Clinics Keep Their Patients’ Data Safe

                     Startling Findings and Educates Healthcare Providers on Solutions


This is a startling fact that has many people questioning the data security practices of hospitals and clinics everywhere. According to privacy researchers at the Ponemon Institute, “Recent numbers show 90% of health care organizations have exposed their patients’ data — or had it stolen — in 2012 and 2013.” The implications of this research are far-reaching and unsettling for most consumers. However, unified communications and IT security providers, like Net Activity, have devised many solutions to help curtail this epidemic.

Most attacks are the caused by hackers who want to acquire medical records due to their extreme value. The information in medical records (name, birth date, addresses, phone numbers, medical history and social security numbers), can be easily used for identity theft, fraudulent medical billing or acquiring prescriptions to resell on the street. Hackers can use the medical information to accomplish just about anything once acquired. This flaw in IT security is not a series of isolated incidents but an incredibly widespread problem now affecting millions of people across the nation.

In August, Community Health Systems reported that Chinese hackers had allegedly stolen a staggering 4.5 million patient records in what could be the largest breach of patient data to date. The company is treating the breach as a violation of HIPPA, even though the hackers didn’t gain access to medical records (only names, addresses, birth dates, phone numbers, and Social Security numbers were stolen). The breach happened between April and June this year, and was discovered in July. According to cyber-security firm Mandiant, which helped investigate the breach, the group responsible for the attack is known as “APT 18,” and may have links to the Chinese government.

The majority of hospitals and health organizations are using outdated technology on a single network making the job of hacking into networks even easier for criminals. IT security is often a large oversight for healthcare organizations because their objective is to save lives. Unfortunately, lack of internal IT expertise and outdated technology plagues the healthcare industry making it an easy target.

The challenge here is that doctors are inherently more interested in saving lives, instead of upgrading their IT security. This a great thing for society and we believe that’s exactly what doctors should be focused on! The only thing is that IT security must be addressed too. Over the years, we’ve learned exactly what it takes to protect health organizations and we love being a part of the solution to this problem. It’s unfortunate when something like this happens but it brings much needed education to the issues at hand. It is Managed IT Service Provider’s duty to educate  the small businesses and provide doctors with the technology tools they need to do their jobs, protect their  patients and spend their time focused on saving lives, instead of firewalls.

Source: http://www.netactivity.us/blog/only-10-of-hospitals-clinics-keep-their-patients-data-safe/