Network management encompasses many different areas, including performance management, fault identification, network provisioning and maintaining the quality of service. As the size and complexity of networks grow through new technologies, network managers are facing new challenges. Today, networks must handle more traffic moving in more directions from more devices. While each new connection provides more capabilities, they also create added potential vulnerabilities for network professionals to manage. The size and complexity of network management have led many companies to outsource their management to experienced third parties.

Here are some of the top challenges of IT managers in network management today across the following four categories — network security, configuration management, cost and network performance.

1. Network Security

Maintaining network security requires constant vigilance and the ability to respond to always-evolving threats. Today, network boundaries exceed traditional on-site perimeters, making it harder to protect against threats. Blocking unauthorized outside traffic is not enough to protect data, as threats can enter the network through phishing emails and insider attacks.

Service attacks don’t even have to connect to succeed, and while encryption helps to protect data, it also makes it more difficult to monitor activity on the IT network. Many firms use numerous data protection tools and must ensure they work together for maximum effectiveness. Using multiple tools in this way requires increased management and monitoring.

Data Breaches on the Rise

Data breaches are a significant threat to today’s businesses, and their associated costs are rising. According to IBM’s 2023 Cost of a Data Breach Report, the average global cost of a breach reached $4.45 million in 2023. The numbers are even more startling when narrowed specifically to the healthcare industry, with the average cost of a breach exceeding $10 million. The mean size of a breach has also increased steadily over the past seven years, with over 133 million records exposed in 2023.

More Users, Devices and IP-Based Systems

The growing number of users and devices on each network is making managing security more challenging. In addition to employees, security teams have to contend with unmanaged users such as business partners. Employees are also using more mobile devices, both managed and unmanaged. As virtualized software becomes more common, more employees are using their personal devices for work — a trend called bring your own device (BYOD). Protecting unmanaged devices creates new challenges, as the company does not control every aspect of these devices. 

Additionally, many users access personal emails on their devices, and less tech-savvy ones could easily introduce malware to their phone or tablet’s operating system. Once compromised, it’s easier for bad actors to gain system entry through piggybacking on legitimate user sessions.

The growth of internet protocol (IP)-based applications and systems — such as voice over internet protocol (VoIP), virtual desktop infrastructure and IP-based storage — also means that security teams have more endpoints and access points to monitor. As the network expands and becomes more complex, it becomes increasingly difficult to monitor traffic.

Constantly Evolving Threats

Cybercriminals are constantly coming up with new ways to infiltrate and disrupt networks, meaning businesses also need to continually improve how they protect their networks and data from cyber attacks. Because of this ever-changing threat landscape, cybersecurity requires constant attention and resources. Network managers need to stay current with the latest cybersecurity incidents, technologies and trends to keep their networks safe.

To reduce their risks, organizations should conduct penetration testing to determine where their security weaknesses are. Modern businesses also need to embrace advanced security tools that incorporate artificial intelligence, automation and other technologies and keep those tools updated.

Regulations

The changing regulatory landscape also presents challenges. Companies must keep up with regulation changes and ensure compliance with state and national laws, industry standards and international regulations. Healthcare companies must follow HIPAA and many other regulations. Recently, many companies have had to adjust to the introduction of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and some states are introducing similar laws. Complying with the various applicable regulations can be complex and expensive, but it’s necessary for successful network management and security. Proper network management can help support regulatory compliance by strengthening a business’s security posture.

2. Configuration Management

Another challenging area of IT network management is configuration management, which involves gathering and maintaining information about all the components within a computer network. This information includes the network address or IP address of every hardware device, information about default settings and which programs are installed on network devices.

Whenever the network requires repair, expansion, upgrading or modification, the configuration management database will help you determine how to approach changes. Activities involved in network configuration management include:

• Troubleshooting.
• Device discovery
• IT network inventory management
• Configuration database backup
• Change monitoring
• Compliance support
• User activity tracking 

Expanding Networks and More Devices

As with security, the increasing size of the typical network is another substantial challenge with configuration management. As the number of devices on each network grows, keeping all information and settings up to date can be an issue, and devices can sometimes conflict with one another.

One reason for the growing number of devices is the Internet of Things (IoT), which refers to the numerous connected devices, from smart thermostats to industrial machines to wearables. 

In 2023, there were 15.8 billion connected devices worldwide, and that figure is expected to soar to 39.6 billion by 2033. Beyond the challenge of the sheer volume of devices, the advent of IoT technology means network configuration managers now need to track a much wider variety of device types and keep them up to date, functional and secure.

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is another rapidly growing segment. As of 2024, the market has a value of $114.09 billion, and experts predict it will almost double to $238.49 billion by 2029. 

Network configuration managers have to figure out how to keep track of BYOD devices and integrate them into their management system. Employees may bring a wide range of devices into work, and the company can’t manage every aspect of these devices. Accounting for each device is still crucial, however, for network configuration management and security.

Despite these challenges, it’s essential that firms prioritize configuration management. Issues with network configuration negatively impact network performance, result in noncompliance with regulatory standards and compromise network security.

3. Cost and Available Budget

As more business functions move onto the network, companies need to upgrade their networks to add capacity and new capabilities. In addition to traditional IT applications, networks now need to handle other business services, like telephony and video conferencing, which require improved network bandwidth. Multimedia applications also require the addition of multicasting protocols, new endpoint devices require autoconfiguration protocols and adding new services to shared network infrastructure requires the introduction of IP virtualization features.

Adding these capabilities to the network, however, is expensive and often time-consuming. You may need to:

• Introduce new hardware to increase bandwidth
• Deploy new software releases onto existing hardware
• Update configuration on existing infrastructure to enable new protocols
• Upgrade cabling to higher-spec cable types
• Hire experts to help with setting up and managing network features

Even as more demand is placed on IT, there is a push to reduce the cost of ownership of network infrastructure. This means IT staff need to figure out how to improve the network and add capabilities without significantly increasing costs — or sometimes even while cutting costs.

Companies can’t afford to sacrifice proper network management to reduce costs, as it’s crucial to business success. The cost of downtime, data leaks and other issues can easily result in much higher costs than those of upgrading and maintaining the network. Limited budgets can make it difficult to maintain network security, yet many organizations are trimming their IT security budgets. A recent survey of over 2,500 IT professionals worldwide revealed that only 9% of the average business’s IT budget is earmarked for security, and 60% of participants had plans to reduce their current investments.

To help reduce costs, many businesses are turning to third-party network management providers. The complexity of today’s networks means many businesses are spending a significant amount of time and resources on network management, leaving less for their core business activities. Working with an experienced third party that provides network management services can help businesses save money and time and put more focus on their core activities. It’s also important to highlight that investments in IT can drive revenue and improve performance for the company, which helps offset and justify the costs involved.

4. Network Performance

Maintaining network performance is a crucial part of network management. Today, businesses rely on their networks more than ever before, and an outage can mean significant losses. Recent studies have pinpointed the average cost of downtime at $9,000 per minute. In higher-risk industries like manufacturing and healthcare, these costs can easily exceed $5 million hourly. These numbers don’t include fines, civil or criminal penalties, or the costs of any litigation that could result from lawsuits or noncompliance issues caused by the downtime.

Clearly, ensuring reliable network performance is vital for business success. However, as networks expand and become more complex, doing so is increasingly challenging.

More Traffic and More Complexity

Modern businesses rely on their networks for a huge range of activities, many of which are mission-critical. They’re essential for everything from internal communications to e-commerce sites to marketing campaigns. There’s more activity, and much of this activity — such as video conferencing — demands significant bandwidth from the network. Many businesses, especially online-based ones, also need their network to be available and reliable 24/7.

Today, networks need to handle more traffic from more directions. With more traffic and longer distances between users and services, there is a higher risk of poor network performance. Businesses need to have the right equipment and the right network management processes in place to ensure consistently high levels of reliability.

Ensuring adequate network performance requires careful bandwidth, latency and packet loss management because problems can occur if they drop even slightly below tolerance thresholds. Those managing the network need to constantly monitor network performance in real time and have the visibility to determine the bandwidth used by each application and the associated IP addresses. They must also efficiently troubleshoot and assess whether the network is ready for new services before deployment.

Time Spent Troubleshooting

Networks play a crucial role in strategic business initiatives, but network professionals often struggle to find the time to work on them because they need to spend so much time troubleshooting issues across the network. As networks become larger and more complex, troubleshooting becomes more time-consuming, especially with limited visibility and control.

To ensure network professionals have time to work on business initiatives in addition to troubleshooting, businesses can:

• Work with a third-party expert: There are many benefits to outsourcing network management tasks to a trusted and experienced provider, including access to expertise and cost-effective, customized strategies.
• Improve their IT network management tools: Introducing sophisticated solutions like artificial intelligence can help automate some routine and time-consuming troubleshooting tasks.
• Increase IT resources and personnel: Organizations can consider these options if their budget allows for new technology or team expansion.

Healthcare Network Management Solutions From Prelude Services

Today’s businesses face various network management challenges related to security, configuration management, costs and performance. As you navigate the quickly shifting business and tech environments, remember that Prelude Services is here to help. We provide network management, security IT strategic planning and around-the-clock support to healthcare companies across the U.S. Some of the IT network management services and solutions we provide include:

• Management tools that track usage trends across your network and alert our team when it needs an upgrade to maintain peak performance and security
• Design tools that help in planning upgrades and expansions to enable your network to grow with your company and introduce new capabilities
• Internet monitoring tools that prevent malicious software from entering your network from online sources, preventing potential damage to your business and saving your network managers time and resources
• Security tools that detect any malicious software on your network and alert our managers, so we can quickly address the issue and prevent damage
• Network backup and failover capabilities to ensure you don’t lose data in the event of a disaster, protecting your business and your data subjects

Partner With Prelude Services for IT Network Management Services

We help hundreds of senior living, long-term care, skilled nursing, community service, affordable housing and other healthcare organizations countrywide, set up their IT networks, protect their electronic health records and ensure HIPAA compliance. We take pride in supporting our clients so that they can better serve their communities. To learn more about how our services resolve the top challenges facing network management, contact us today.

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Network scope and shape have been quickly evolving for the past several years, and changes continue to accelerate as new technologies emerge. With the modern reliance on mobile devices and the Internet of Things (IoT), network organization and security are leagues different from what they were even a decade ago. To help businesses prepare for the future of network security and identify the potential direction network technology is taking, Prelude has identified trends in network management, security and organization so enterprises can start taking steps to prepare for the future these technologies will bring.

What’s Changing With Network Management?

Five shifts and advancements impacting the direction of network management include:

1. Businesses Are Moving on From Wireless Network Controllers

Wireless network controllers evolved as a way to consolidate the functions of wireless network management into a single tool. However, they are quickly becoming obsolete due to their relatively high parts costs and their largely unnecessary function. As networks increasingly focus on simplicity and streamlining, such accessories will no longer be needed. In fact, many controllers at the forefront of cutting-edge technology less than a decade ago have now reached end-of-life and end-of-support status. The obsolescence of such items means organizations need to prepare and make changes to pertinent technologies as soon as possible.

2. Ethernet Switch Speed Keeps Expanding

Switches will remain within network organizations, as they provide power and connection at access points, but they will expand in per-port speed. Currently, switch speeds can vary widely depending on the type and the cables they leverage. Fast Ethernet (FE) switches typically provide speeds up to 100 megabits per second (Mbps), while Gigabit Ethernet (GE) switches can deliver speeds from 1 Gigabit per second (Gbps) to 800 Gbps when supported by fiber-optic cable. Though the path to accomplishing this will be expensive, functionality and speed will improve significantly with such changes, making them valuable for businesses to implement.

3. The Cloud Migration Continues

The cloud has revolutionized information technology across numerous industries, and organizations of every size are leveraging cloud-based technology to transform operations. Virtualization and software-defined networking are now the golden standards of modern IT network management, and this push will continue well into the future. Cloud-based network management software allows companies to manage their networks reliably from anywhere and also makes it possible for network management to be adeptly handled by third-party providers rather than network users. With this technology, network management service providers will become more common, allowing businesses to cut costs significantly while still ensuring high performance.

More businesses, especially healthcare organizations, are also adopting hybrid cloud solutions. This mix of private and public clouds delivers the agility and budget-friendliness necessary to meet their operational needs while supporting compliance. IT experts can carefully configure the network to ensure which applications deploy in which environment to manage data flow and user access according to regulations.

4. Uptime and Transfer Rates Take Priority

As companies and their customers become increasingly dependent on data and connectivity, the threat of downtime will increase. Minutes of downtime and slow transfer rates will quickly turn customers off, so ensuring 100% uptime will continue to be an essential consideration in network monitoring in the future. Wi-Fi 6 and 5G technologies are instrumental in meeting reliability and data transfer needs, and proper management and network security methods will be essential for ensuring satisfaction and connectivity.

5. Sophisticated Network Management Support Technology Becomes Vital

Artificial intelligence (AI) can do much more than quickly analyze data and generate answers. This technology is advancing us toward self-healing and self-optimizing networks through infrastructure automation. This transformation will substantially boost reliability, security and speed. Expect those improvements to create better user experiences and an increased competitive edge while slashing network management costs.

Similarly, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) bring IT professionals new ways to analyze network data visually and in real-time. These immersive technologies enable more strategic decision-making, practical troubleshooting and improved optimization.

Along with these groundbreaking developments comes an increased focus on tools for advanced observability, the practice of understanding internal activity through examining outputs. With cloud-based and hybrid cloud networks becoming the new norm, sophisticated solutions for gaining transparency and actionable insights are necessary for effective and efficient network management.

The Bottom Line for Businesses

In the future, businesses can expect IT network management and organization to become more advanced yet simpler. The technology will expand and become more complex, but network management for the user will be easy, with self-configuring networks and network management as a service. These benefits will be particularly helpful for the long-term care and senior living markets, which need to ensure excellent speed of service for their customers while keeping healthcare costs down. To experience these benefits, however, businesses need to recognize and make the changes necessary to remain up to date. While it may mean increased costs in the short term, it will mean extensive savings and simplicity in the long term.

Prelude Is More Than Just a Healthcare IT Service Provider

Prelude Services is a trusted healthcare IT network partner that provides innovative information technology services and resources for senior living and long-term care organizations. Established in response to the healthcare industry’s increasing demand for IT services, Prelude aims to provide accessible and secure IT network management solutions that meet the needs of healthcare facilities. With over 700 facilities under our care, we work to provide solutions for our clients and can do the same for you. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you prepare for the future of network management.

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While technology can be vital for nonprofits, organizational leaders must have software expertise and solutions. Many nonprofit employees wear several hats and may lack the IT expertise to handle troubleshooting and other technical aspects. 

With today’s ever-changing technology solutions, nonprofits must have a knowledgeable team to help the organization thrive. Managed service providers allow you to work with a team of experienced IT professionals without the charges and resources an in-house IT team might demand. Whether your nonprofit is an assisted living community, nursing home or healthcare company, this guide explores the benefits of MSPs for nonprofits and how managed IT services work. 

What Are Managed Service Providers? 

A managed service provider is a third-party company that provides an efficient and cost-effective way to help organizations thrive. It improves the user experience, manages cyber risks and supports nonprofit IT operations. MSPs offer a combination of qualified experts, technology and crucial processes to help their clients streamline the conversion funnel and identify areas for improvement. They then apply strategies that make processes faster and more cost-efficient. 

The goal is to increase IT operations, meet priorities and influence a desirable outcome. MSPs impact nonprofits in various areas: 

• Influencing expansion and growth 
• Improving the ROI for IT initiatives 
• Enhancing security and ensuring cyber compliance 
• Aligning technology investments and business priorities 
• Giving your organization more access to expertise and scalability 
• Optimizing business expenses 

Importance of MSPs for Nonprofits 

Nonprofits have unique IT challenges, including limited funding. These organizations sometimes rely on grants and donations to fund their operations, so they must strategically handle and allocate their budget and resources. They should be as productive and efficient as possible to make a widespread impact and fulfill their mission. Like for-profit businesses, they also require protection against cyber threats because they handle sensitive information about donors’ financial records. 

MSPs address all these needs by understanding your organization’s unique processes and creating a tailored solution that helps your establishment stand out. Some services include: 

• Using analytics to attract repeat supporters and participants 
• Securing information from donors or members 
• Optimizing IT costs and support 
• Improving technology investments 

The chief reason nonprofits use managed IT services is to free up time and resources to focus on supporting their community. An MSP can benefit your organization by handling complex IT matters and staying abreast of new technology trends for you. 

Advantages of MSPs for Nonprofits 

Nonprofit organizations can significantly upgrade their operations with new software applications and processes. Why not put your organization on a path that lets you reach and exceed your goals? 

Here are five benefits Prelude Services’ industry-leading expertise can offer your nonprofit organization. 

1. Improved Donor Management 

Your nonprofit should include donor management to keep people invested in your cause. Donor management shows your supporters where their money goes and persuades them to continue giving to your organization. An MSP can offer your nonprofit practical IT solutions to meet and exceed your targets. These can include data analytics to track, monitor and report on your results. Sharing this information with donors wins their trust, helping you bring in more revenue. 

2. Easier Fundraising 

Numerous causes and organizations compete for donors’ attention and support in today’s world. Your nonprofit may find it challenging to stand out in the crowd, especially when donor fatigue becomes an issue. Successful fundraising requires additional time and talent, further straining your limited resources. Keeping donors informed about the impact of their contributions, demonstrating transparency and cultivating personal connections can overcome these challenges.

The best MSPs help you implement technologies that boost your fundraising efforts. This technology can create metrics and goals to enhance your fundraising campaigns. With this information, your managed IT service provider can create a tailored recurrent giving program that lets frequent donors make automated payments. Your organization can bring in reliable monthly funds instead of running multiple fundraising drives, giving your staff and volunteers more time to develop creative campaigns that attract new donors. 

3. Enhanced Security 

According to Statista, 72.7% of organizations experienced ransomware attacks in 2023. These security breaches are only increasing, making it essential to protect your nonprofit against them. Nonprofits may stand out to hackers because of the sensitive information they keep, including donor data, employee information and credit card data. 

If these data breaches occur, donors may lose trust in your organization and choose to support a different cause. A cybercrime against your organization may even result in fines and regulatory action issues. You can avoid these issues by working with an MSP that offers advanced security solutions that go above and beyond your in-house capabilities.

4. Scalability 

Do your fundraising campaigns get more attention during specific times of the year? If so, you might forego IT services until your efforts ramp up. However, the lack of an in-house IT team may be impractical and leave your organization vulnerable to hackers. 

Some MSPs are flexible and allow you to pay only for the services you use. When the time comes, you can upgrade your package to protect your organization from cyber attacks and reduce it during calmer seasons. 

5. Increased Efficiency 

An internal team can often get overwhelmed with IT tasks as your nonprofit grows. They’ll need to handle cyber threats, security patches, system bugs, tech support questions and more. MSPs take a proactive approach to operations and automatically update and patch software to ensure all processes run efficiently, enhancing productivity by reducing downtime.  

Get Managed IT Services for Nonprofits With Prelude Services 

Nonprofits like retirement communities and healthcare centers deserve time to focus on their core tasks to support the community and their cause. Our professionals at Prelude Services offer managed IT services for strategic planning, network engineering, software development and more. Whether you need desktop support or data center computing, contact us for more information about how we can assist you today. 

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Healthcare data has significant value for hackers, and older adult care is one of the most targeted industries. Hackers use personal data to access patient healthcare information, create false identities, commit insurance fraud or obtain free medical treatment. 

Knowing how to prevent smishing attacks is crucial to protect patients and your bottom line. A healthcare data breach can have devastating consequences. It can cause care disruptions, jeopardize patient privacy and eliminate an entire healthcare network. Recovery from a cyberattack can cost millions of dollars, and attacks on the healthcare industry are increasing. In a recent survey, 21% of healthcare organizations claimed they had been victims of a smishing attack. 

What Is a Smishing Attack?

Let’s take a look at the meaning and definition of smashing. Smishing is a type of short message system (SMS) phishing — the name is a combination of “SMS” and “phishing.” These cyberattacks use social engineering to exploit human trust. Hackers send fraudulent messages to trick recipients into clicking on a malicious link or sharing personal information. People tend to trust text messages more than emails, which has led to a 300% increase in smishing scams within two years. 

How Does Smishing Work?

Smishing is almost identical to email phishing, where the attacker wins your trust through manipulation. Cybercriminals send you a message via SMS or instant message, enticing you to click a link or reply with your personal information. 

If you click the link in a smishing message, the cybercriminals have two ways to steal the data they want: 

• The link may direct you to a fraudulent version of an official website, directing you to fill out a form containing your personal information. 
• Clicking the link may download malware onto your device, allowing them to access your sensitive information. 

Since healthcare providers must keep patient data safe, hackers may also use phishing and smishing to install ransomware. 

How Does Smishing Spread?

Scammers can deliver smishing messages through traditional messaging and web-based messaging applications. Users often assume that text messages are more trustworthy than emails. Many people also multitask on their phones, making them more likely to click links in a hurry or by mistake. 

Many healthcare workers use their devices in the scope of their work. While this bring-your-own-device (BYOD) has enhanced efficiency and productivity, it has significant cybersecurity challenges. Smishing uses malware to spread throughout networks. Once cyberattackers breach one network-connected device, they can access the entire network, gaining access to sensitive patient data. 

Types of Smishing Attacks

Smishing is a phishing method and hackers can deliver many types of phishing scams via text message, including the following:

• Spear phishing: In this more direct attack, hackers target a specific team or individual within your organization instead of sending generic messages. 
• Whaling: Whaling attacks either target or impersonate high-value individuals within the organization. Impersonating a senior executive is an excellent method of convincing employees to make payments or divulge sensitive information. 
• Clone phishing: Attackers may clone legitimate text messages instead of impersonating someone else. They alter the link slightly, taking you to a cloned replica of the original site where you’ll feel comfortable providing your personal information. 
• Vishing: A vishing scam is similar to smishing, except scammers use voice calls instead of text and email. Vishing and smishing sometimes go hand in hand as a social engineering technique.
• IM smishing: This attack targets users through instant messaging, such as Facebook messenger. It may come from a stranger or what appears to be one of your contacts. Hackers sometimes create spoofed accounts, pretending to be someone you know to gain your trust. 

How to Recognize Smishing

Recognizing a smishing text message is the first step to preventing smashing attacks. Look for the following signs to help you identify them:

• Text messages that ask for personal information or entice you to click on a link
• A sender name or number that resembles a legitimate entity but has one or two different characters  
• Spelling and grammatical errors
• Unexpected messages or messages from senders you haven’t spoken to before
• Text messages with a sense or urgency or threat of immediate action 

How to Defend Against Smishing

Defending against smishing attacks is critical for patient care, data safety and profitability. The HIPAA privacy rule requires covered healthcare organizations to implement a security awareness training program to protect sensitive patient data. While vital, these training sessions are only a starting point. As cybercriminals become more adept, specialist IT services are a must for many. 

Complementary methods of smishing defense include the following:

1. Employee Training

Smishing targets individuals, so staff must be able to recognize smishing attempts and know the protocols for reporting them. Training might include running mock smishing events to identify potential weaknesses in your team. As smishing scams evolve, healthcare organizations should provide ongoing training as needed. Regular training will help healthcare professionals recognize and report new trends. 

2. Cybersecurity Measures

Protecting yourself and your organization from smishing attempts requires IT professionals with considerable expertise. A trained team will identify and patch network weaknesses, implement endpoint security systems and keep antivirus software up to date. They will conduct regular vulnerability scans across your network and block malicious domains as they are identified. 

Many smashing scams use spoofing technologies to mimic a legitimate website, manipulating users into filling in their personal details. As many healthcare providers rely on their mobile devices for their work, implementing anti-spoofing technologies to minimize fraudulent websites can be crucial. 

3. Communication

Healthcare organizations must stay current with the latest scams and communicate the dangers throughout their organization to defend their data. If vulnerable parties know what to look for, they are less likely to fall prey to smashing attempts. 

Examples of Smishing

Cyberattacks are constantly evolving as cybercriminals engineer their attempts to catch you off guard. For example, the New Hampshire COVID-19 smishing campaign claimed to provide test results and asked recipients to validate their COVID-19 status. 

Some common smishing examples include the following:

• Competition wins: Receiving a message informing you that you’ve won a contest is a well-known red flag. Clicking on the link to claim your prize can cause you to accidentally install malware on your device instead. 
• Surveys: Smishing attempts can take the form of surveys, often claiming you’ll win a prize if you answer the questions. If they ask you to click on a link, there’s a strong possibility it’s a smishing attempt. 
• Delivery notifications: Scammers know there’s a good chance you’re waiting for a delivery. Even if you’re not, you may click on a link that looks like it comes from a trusted brand. Many delivery companies offer legitimate updates, making this an easy entry point for scammers to confuse you. 
• CEO fraud: Hackers sometimes rely on people’s instincts to reply to a boss’s request as soon as possible. They may send a message that looks like it comes from someone in your organization claiming to need immediate assistance with a task. 
• Bank or credit card scams: Receiving a message about your money can be stressful and cybercriminals use this anxiety to get you to act quickly. These scams often ask you to verify your banking or contact information. 
• Fake password resets: With many people using two-factor authentication to protect their data, scammers may send a text message claiming your account has experienced a breach. When this happens, they have already established your phone number and email address. They’ll send a code to reset your password and a link to a spoofed email site that asks you to enter your login information. Once they have your password, the hackers will either sell the information, take control of your account or use it to send more phishing emails.
• Cellphone smishing: Scammers may pose as your mobile service provider and offer you discounts or upgrades. These messages often include a link to activate the offer, taking you to a spoofed website that prompts you to confirm your personal information. 
• Tax scams: Hackers often take advantage of tax season with messages claiming that you owe money or are due a refund. They install malware on your device when you click the link to make payments or retrieve your money. 

While these attacks personally affect the victim, they also grant hackers access to their work networks and sensitive patient data. Malware travels rapidly through an organization’s network and can cause significant damage without effective and professional cybersecurity protection. 

How to Protect Seniors Citizens from Smishing Attacks

Educating older adults is the most effective way to prevent smishing. Make them aware of common scams and ask them to verify any texts they receive with you or the sender via telephone. 

The more you can do to stop scammers from making contact with older adults, the better. Loneliness, diminished cognitive reasoning and accrued savings often make them prime targets for scammers. 

Some tips to prevent seniors from falling victim to smashing scams include the following:

• Security software: Ensure older adults have updated security software on their devices and check that it updates automatically. 
• Multi-factor authentication: Familiarize older adults with multi-factor authentication for all social media and online accounts. Activate biometrics on their devices to prevent unwanted access. 
• Call recording: Many smishing attempts begin with a phone call. They can install a call recording app on their devices to monitor suspicious conversations or requests. 
• Communication: Stay abreast of the latest scams so you can advise the older adults in your care. Print posters and display them in common areas as a constant reminder. 
• Network protection: Set up proxy servers with robust security for your internet connections and install anti-spam solutions. 
• Monitoring: Monitor your security log for intrusions, suspicious activity and attacks. Conduct regular vulnerability scans of your network to assess your cyber risk. 
• Outsourced IT: Outsourced IT services can help protect your network from a breach. They can also provide training and keep you up to date with the latest scams. 

Teaching Older Adults to Steer Clear of Smishing Attempts

Teaching older adults how to approach text communication correctly is one of the most powerful methods of helping them avoid financial fraud and scams. Make them aware of the following cybersecurity practices for their personal devices:

• Avoid clicking on links: If links appear in a text message, only click on them if you initiated the original communication and are confident it comes from a trusted source. 
• Type web addresses out: Instead of clicking on a link that takes you to a website, type the website directly into the browser. 
• Check security certificates: You can check a website’s security status by clicking on the padlock icon in the left corner of the browser. The website should always begin with HTTPS, which means any information you share through the website remains private. 
• Refuse to send personal information over text message: Teach older adults that there is no need to share personal information over text or phone. 
• Call and confirm: If you receive a communication from a company, colleague or well-known brand, call and confirm the contact before acting on it. 
• Reach out: Many older adults experience shame after falling victim to a phishing or smashing scam. Encourage them to speak up and provide a supportive environment where they can share their experiences. 

What to Do if You’re a Victim of Smishing

It’s important to know what to do if you become a victim of smishing. Stay calm and take the following steps:

1. Change your passwords: Once a hacker has access to your device, they have access to your passwords. Change them as quickly as possible, then log out of the device. 
2. Disconnect and call IT Support: As soon as you realize what’s happened, disconnect from all networks immediately to limit the spread of malware. Smishing can happen to anyone and your outsourced IT team is the best prepared to deal with it. Contact them and follow their instructions. They will let the rest of the organization know. 
3. Have your device scanned: If you clicked on a suspicious link, hackers might have downloaded malware onto your device. Ask an IT professional to scan your device for viruses and malware. 
4. Report the attack: There are several organizations you can report the attack to, including your local police station and the federal trade commission. Your IT support provider can guide and support you through the process. 
5. Stay alert: Be aware of future attempts to breach your device, as the hackers may try again. Report anything suspicious and verify any links before you click on them. 

Contact Prelude Services for Complete IT Services

Healthcare organizations have massive amounts of data to manage and cybersecurity is one of many IT processes you need to consider. Prelude Services provides an inclusive IT service for your healthcare facility, including 24/7 desktop support, mobile device management and HIPAA IT risk assessment, ensuring your data are as safe as possible. 

If you’re looking for a reliable, safe IT service you can trust, look no further than Prelude Services. We believe that IT services in healthcare should be accessible and reliable so you can care for patients without stress and downtime. Please reach out to us today to learn more about how we can streamline your IT processes, manage your network and keep your data safe. 

The post How to Defend Against Smishing Attacks appeared first on Prelude Services.

Understanding the difference between a service desk and a help desk can help your nursing home or senior living center find better ways to support customers and clients. Whether you want to provide support with IT issues or fix an immediate problem for a client, reaching out to customers effectively can make a big difference. Learn the similarities and differences between service and help desks and why you might choose either option for your business. 

What is a Service Desk?

A service desk provides support for any of your facility’s IT issues. A service desk acts as a singular contact point for both the user and the service provider. 

The service desk handles many different processes including — password resets, answering functionality questions, updating subscriptions and tracking feature requests. By engaging in various IT functions like incident, knowledge and service request management, reporting and self-service, a service desk keeps IT team members accountable for their support. The goal is to provide timely service with fast response times and appropriate concern for the customer’s issue. 

What is a Help Desk?

A help desk diagnoses common problems and fixes immediate issues such as — IT problems, slow software, glitches, black screens or connection issues. Help desk services support problems that can be solved quickly and easily. 

A help desk allows IT members to respond on a case-by-case basis and submit issue requests for problems that can’t immediately be solved. Help desks are internal contact points for any technical issues within the senior living facility. 

Importance of Service and Help Desks

Service and help desks help senior living facilities in many ways. Here are a few reasons service and help desks 

• Decision-making: Help and service desks give helpful tools to IT professionals for resolving problems and answering questions.
• Satisfaction: Both tools improve end user satisfaction by meeting specific technology needs. 
• Time: Service and help desks save time by centralizing all technological and facility IT information in one platform. The workspace is streamlined, and team members can answer questions quickly and efficiently. 
• Collaboration:
• Self-service:
• Automation: Service and help desks eliminate the need for manual tasks by automating services and processes. You can spend less time on paper filing or writing and more time on essential IT support. 

4. Collaboration

• Help desks and service desks improve collaboration within an organization. For example, these tools make it easy to keep track of requests and conversations on a unified platform. When everyone can access data in one place, it encourages teams to share information and collaborate.

5. Self-Service

• Service and help desks empower end users to utilize self-service via a help center that contains informational articles and FAQ pages. The tools can also support employees with chatbots that can surface the most relevant help center content.

6. Automation

• Eliminating manual tasks with automated customer service is another big benefit of help desks and service desks. These tools allow you to automate certain processes for your team, enabling them to spend less time on menial tasks and provide quicker support.

Differences Between Service and Help Desks

Many nursing homes or senior living centers wonder about the differences between service and help desks. Why choose one or the other? The main difference lies in the desk’s purpose and who it supports. 

For example, service desks are a place where employees can find information when an IT issue needs resolving. Service desks support company technology with relevant information.

In comparison, help desks answer questions for both employees and customers. Help desks provide IT solutions during outages or resolve end-user problems.

Similarities Between Service and Help Desks

While service and help desks have many distinct differences, they also share similarities in helping resolve technological issues. Some similarities between service and help desks include the following:

• Manual task elimination: Service and help desks eliminate the need for manual tasks through online platforms. They increase efficiency by eliminating the need for physical paper filing, mailing or handwriting of information. 
• Data-based decisions: Service and help desks help employees make technological decisions based on data and analytics rather than guesswork. Data-based decisions increase company credibility. 
• Self-service: Most of the features of the service and help desk come with self-service abilities, making it easy for employees and clients to handle.
• Streamlined collaboration: Service and help desks save user time through organized and efficient collaboration between users and the company.
• Quick support: The faster a service or help desk can solve an IT problem, the more satisfied users will be.
• Improved satisfaction: Both service and help desks improve satisfaction by answering questions and resolving issues.

What To Look For When Choosing Between Service and Help Desks

When choosing between a service and a help desk, you might want to consider a few features. Prioritize what features you need and which ones are optional. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

Automated Chats

Many senior living or nursing homes might want to keep up with the number of questions about their technology. To increase response times, consider finding a service or help desk with the addition of Automated chatbots. Chat technology offers 24/7 support and resolves low-priority items so your IT team can focus on larger issues.

Online Knowledge Bases

A knowledge base is an online library with information about the technology, services and departments within your company. Consider whether or not you want to include a knowledge base with your help and service desk tools. It might help you increase credibility with clients and create a space where employees can easily access company information. The knowledge base often includes articles, user guides, FAQ sections and informative articles related to your technology.

Reporting and Analytics

Reporting and analytic capabilities help your company understand the quality of your current IT support system. Reports allow you to see inside customer service practices through tangible metrics and numbers. You can see where you have room for improvement, or where you are succeeding. For example, some nursing homes might want to check for busy hours, average response times, staff CSAT ratings or resolution times. The more you check on your reports the more you can improve your IT processes.

Community Forums

Some service and help desks might include community forums where clients can find answers to questions from other users. If the issue is common, it might be helpful to post client resolutions so you can reduce response time. Community forums can be placed internally and externally. Internal forums create a space where employees can ask questions about the senior home’s current technology. External forums allow employees and customers to ask questions about common nursing home technology issues. 

Find Reliable IT Support From Prelude Services

At Prelude Services we offer reliable IT planning, security, support and management services to healthcare providers. Whether you work in a senior living facility, with long-term care homes or in an affordable housing community, our services can help you secure your IT software and improve data security. Many of those who work with seniors need to protect important and private information. Prelude Services can manage your information technology needs and provide support where you need it most. Contact us today to speak to a representative!

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Senior living centers must protect information regarding patients’ medical records, prescriptions, diagnoses and medical history. Most of this information is private and sensitive, making it essential to protect it from potential hackers or cyberattacks. 

Learning about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), its importance and who needs to comply with HIPAA can help your facility protect information at every step. Senior living centers can take critical steps for protection, including staff training and internet security. 

What Is HIPAA?

HIPAA is a United States law that protects patients’ medical records from being shared with other parties without the patient’s consent. HIPAA sets a standard for privacy that healthcare providers, plans, clearinghouses, and business associates related to healthcare must follow at every step.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) implemented both the HIPAA Security Rule and the HIPAA Privacy Rule. The Privacy Rule ensures that healthcare-related industries and companies comply with HIPAA regulations, while the Security Rule protects additional health information outlined in the Privacy Rule.

Why Is HIPAA Important?

HIPAA is important in the healthcare industry because it protects sensitive patient information. Many residents cared for in a senior living center have various health issues, whether due to aging or preexisting conditions. Senior living center patients often require various medical provisions or prescription drugs, making it integral to protect sensitive information related to resident records. 

Any nurse, employee or staff member who works with seniors at nursing homes or living centers must have easy access to residents’ information to ensure each patient receives appropriate care and medications related to their condition. Should something happen, it is essential to have medical records on hand with information about allergies, prior illnesses and health problems or other relevant information. 

At the same time, easy access to patient information requires extra protection to prevent leaks or violations of patient rights. This is why HIPAA was created. Many of the benefits of the Act include the following:

• Patient control: All patients have complete control over their medical information, including who can see it or when it can be shared.
• Boundaries: HIPAA ensures safe limits for sharing and distributing patient health information.
• Safeguards: All providers and medical professionals related to the patient must protect residents’ health information privacy.
• Accountability: Anyone who violates the rules and regulations of HIPAA will be held accountable.

All patients deserve to know how their private health information will be used. Even older adults in nursing homes require boundaries and limits on information release and have the right to receive copies of records whenever asked. 

Who Must Comply With HIPAA Guidelines?

All companies, organizations, businesses and operations that handle protected health information must comply with HIPAA guidelines. For example, the following organizations must remain compliant with HIPAA rules and regulations:

• Health plans: Plans might include Medicaid, Medicare or other specific health programs.
• Healthcare clearinghouses: Clearinghouses include any billing services and companies that collect sensitive health information and process private data.
• Healthcare providers: Providers may include a dentist, surgeon, physician, pharmacy, hospital, clinic or nursing home. 
• Business associates: Businesses that handle health information include document shredding, medical equipment, data processing and data storage companies. 

While HIPAA specifically requires nursing homes to follow their guidelines, other senior living centers and care facilities may not be held to the same laws if they don’t specifically handle health information. Many communities with different models have their own regulations, as HIPAA may not apply to every organization. 

However, if your senior living facility handles any form or amount of healthcare information, it must comply with HIPAA guidelines. It is best practice to follow HIPAA regulations at every step in the process, no matter how much health information you contain. 

In many cases, some organizations may be confused when specific departments or sections of the company work alongside hospitals and healthcare workers who must comply with HIPAA. Following HIPAA regulations ensures patient privacy, and while HIPAA may not specifically name some senior living facilities, it is best practice to follow their guidelines regardless. 

All residents, staff members and healthcare workers at the senior living facility must comply with HIPAA regulations, including refraining from discussing patient information outside the workplace. Keep medical history and patient information private to prevent accidental leaks. 

How To Protect Senior Health Information

Protecting sensitive patient information requires adherence to rules and regulations from every nurse, employee and healthcare provider. Here are four steps to protecting health information in a senior living center.

1. Increasing Internet Security

Increasing your facility’s internet security is a great way to protect senior health information. Many facilities have done away with traditional paperwork filing, mailing or data entry, meaning technology has helped reduce the need for manual labor. However, the possibility of hackers and cyberattacks comes with the increased usage of computer systems and the quick transference of confidential information.

To comply with HIPAA, your facility needs secure software for sensitive information. Ensure you have the firewall applications to block ransomware, malware and phishing attempts. Many IT security companies and outside sources offer the protection assistance you need to fend off possible leaks and attacks.

2. Improving Staff Training

Training staff members, nurses, and all employees in your facility on HIPAA guidelines ensures you maintain compliance at every point. Proper training in HIPAA regulations, data protection and rules allows employees to refer to privacy guidelines when unsure of the next step. You can even have staff members take courses on protecting patient and resident privacy. 

3. Making a Contingency Plan

Make a plan of action should your facility accidentally leak sensitive information or experience a breach in security. Adding security and training measures can only go so far. Data breaches and privacy violations may be possible, but an action plan ensures your company knows what to do in the case of a leak. 

Make sure you track every investigation of a data breach to completion. It should also be possible for staff members to report incidents anonymously when needed. 

4. Securing Outside Access

Due to the nature of your senior care facility, you may have to work with various businesses, care workers, nurses, facilities and individual family members. Third parties often have short-term access to your documents, patient information and sensitive data. The more outside sources gain access to your facility’s private information, the more you must take care to protect that data. 

To secure outside access, be sure all partners sign an agreement with your facility. Do so for any third-party vendors, including but not limited to” attorneys

• Consultants
• Accountants
• Software companies and technicians
• Document destruction services
• Malpractice carriers 
• Telephone providers

All third parties are prohibited from selling or sharing patient information, according to patient rights outlined by HIPAA.

Find Help With Information Security At Prelude Services

Our IT management, security and strategic planning services at Prelude Services protect sensitive patient information. Our services are meant for healthcare providers, whether you work in senior living centers, long-term care, community service or affordable housing. Our secure IT software lets you protect patient information at every step of your facility processes. 

Data security and reliable technology are essential to us. Consider partnering with Prelude Service for all your information technology needs. Contact us today to speak to a representative.

The post How to Protect Health Information in a Senior Living Center appeared first on Prelude Services.

When caring for older adults, post-acute care is a reality. More than 40% of Medicare beneficiaries are discharged to post-acute facilities — an essential step in their recovery. The post-acute care programs’ efficacy dictates patient health outcomes in many ways, so IT services and post-acute care go hand in hand.

Access to current information and the most effective IT tools can improve patient care and streamline information sharing. Focusing on improving care transitions can help ensure older adults receive the post-acute care they need. With the proper care, they can take positive steps in their recovery. IT services for post-acute care facilities are a critical consideration.

Types of IT Services for Post-Acute Facilities

For patients to achieve the best possible health outcomes, post-acute care facilities must have the capabilities to coordinate and manage high-quality healthcare specific to each individual. Much of this care depends on the reliable transition of information, internally and externally.

Access to critical health information allows post-acute care facilities to provide better quality care to patients, whether identifying patients at risk of injury or having access to indicators of their recovery timeline to make further adjustments. Caregivers can provide preventive care and stay current with patient needs.

Types of IT Services that can augment post-acute care include the following:

Network Management for Post-Acute Care

Most businesses use computer networks, and monitoring and managing them is essential to maintain optimal performance and care for patients. Upgrading your IT systems is vital for data safety and backup in the event of a critical failure. Your post-acute care facility will still have access to valuable patient data so you can continue to provide high-quality care.

Management tools can keep your facility providing optimal patient care by outlining upgrade requirements. The accompanying design tool tailors your network infrastructure to your facility’s needs, ensuring you can expand your networks and perform as needed to meet your specific requirements.

Security is necessary for any business that holds data. Network management tools identify malicious software entering your network and resolve the problem before you experience data theft or damage.

Cloud Computing for Post-Acute Care

Managing, processing, storing and communicating patient data is crucial in a post-acute care environment. When caregivers can access up-to-date patient data from web-based applications, they have flexibility and confidence in their work, knowing they can tailor their approach to specific patients. Storing your data in the cloud can help you achieve this.

Anyone with authorization can access patient data with this simple cloud solution as long as you have an internet connection. It’s easy to expand and upgrade and saves you money and space on physical infrastructure.

Service Desk for Post-Acute Care

Your IT systems must work for you to provide quality post-acute patient care. A 24/7 service desk may be the answer, as you can contact professionals whenever an issue might affect your ability to provide patient care. There is no need to compromise what you do best with expensive downtime.

Hardware and Software Support for Post-Acute Care

Both hardware and software are necessary to keep your IT systems performing well. Choosing the right equipment and hosting your applications can be daunting without an IT service that provides hardware and software support. IT services can help your team stay productive and focused on providing the best care for your patients.

Why Post-Acute Facilities Should Outsource IT Services

Providing superior patient care is a top priority for post-acute facilities. There can be a disconnect when patients are transferred, compromising their care, as you lose access to vital information about their treatment. Outsourcing specialist IT services can bridge that gap and provide your facility with access to information, data protection and faster processes.

Some of the many benefits of outsourcing IT services for post-acute facilities include the following:

• Elevated patient care: Providing quality patient care is the primary goal of any healthcare facility. IT services and patient care are linked, and patient care improves when healthcare facilities can access their data immediately. This is especially important with post-acute facilities, where caregivers exchange data from one facility to another. Outsourcing IT services streamlines this process so caregivers can focus on patients.
• Enhanced scalability: Outsourcing IT gives you more flexibility for growth and change, as these professionals provide full scalability for your business. Instead of investing in static IT solutions, you can update your services as your needs shift. If you need to expand, for example, your IT partner already has the infrastructure to streamline the process.
• Efficient billing: Healthcare professionals rarely have time to focus on complex coding and billing procedures. Outsourcing medical billing can decrease billing errors, provide accurate medical insurance claims and reduce the risk of denied claims.
• Improved cybersecurity: Cybersecurity is crucial for businesses. If you handle patients’ data, it needs to be protected. Outsourced IT services provide that protection with innovative security solutions.
• Increased productivity: Removing the focus on IT challenges allows your staff to focus on their core competencies and give acute-care patients the full attention they deserve. They also have access to the data they need in real time, and with the information at their fingertips, they can make informed decisions about patient care without delays.
• Decreased costs: Partnering with a professional IT service means saving on the high costs of an in-house IT team. Outsourced IT services also have up-to-date equipment and resources at your disposal. IT service providers can work within your budget to help you accomplish your goals.
• Advanced compliance: The healthcare industry is bound by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy rule concerning data protection. Meeting these requirements can be challenging, but outsourced IT services have vast experience in data security compliance.
• Streamlined operations: IT challenges can be disruptive, especially for patient care. Outsourced IT teams can help prevent downtime and elevate your customer service — there is less chance of data breaches or inaccessible websites with professionals on your side.
• Enhanced access: Partnering with an outsourced IT provider gives you access to professionals in their field who can provide you with their specialized skills.

Contact Prelude Services for Post-Acute Care IT Services

Post-acute care facilities rely on IT services to provide patients with the highest standard of care. Prelude Services is here to assist you by providing IT services focused on helping healthcare providers navigate the rapidly changing industry landscape. Our innovative technology solutions are the perfect choice for post-acute care providers looking to improve patient outcomes and reduce unnecessary costs.

Our vast industry experience can strengthen your cybersecurity, manage your electronic medical records system and networks, and support your hardware and software. Our 24/7 service desk will help you reduce downtime, so you can focus on what you do best — caring for patients. We have a wide range of reliable options tailored to your specific need. Please reach out today to learn more about how Prelude Services can help you.

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Many facilities choose to store their data and web applications in cloud-based software. These technology forms can help your assisted living or senior housing facilities securely manage data. You can access the data constantly and enjoy the enhanced security features of the software.

If your facility wants to invest in cloud software, it’s important to understand the difference between the three deployment options — public clouds, private clouds and hybrid clouds. Each type can benefit your organization differently, so learning their variations can help you make a well-informed decision.

But what is a private cloud vs. a public cloud vs. a hybrid cloud, and how can they help your organization? This article covers all your cloud options and explains their differences so you can choose the best one for you.

What Are the Deployment Options When Choosing a Cloud?

If you’re considering using cloud storage, you have three deployment options — private clouds, public clouds and hybrid clouds. All three cloud computing models allow data storage, management and communication across remote servers. Instead of keeping your data on an in-house server, you use servers and software from a cloud service provider.

You deploy cloud services into your organization using one of these three different methods:

• Public cloud: On a public cloud, a third-party cloud provider owns and maintains the cloud software. You share the same hardware, storage and network applications with other cloud users. Many organizations use public clouds for web-based communications, office applications and storage. For instance, many businesses use Google cloud services for email and storage purposes.
• Private cloud: A private cloud consists of software and resources used by a single organization. You can deploy this type from a third-party service provider or manage it in your on-site data center. On a private cloud, all services and infrastructure are on a private server without any other users. This privacy allows for more security and control over the software.
• Hybrid cloud: Lastly, hybrid clouds combine the benefits of both public and private clouds. They use on-premises infrastructure and public cloud services to create a comprehensive solution. Your data and applications can move between on-premises and public cloud servers, allowing optimal flexibility and speed.

Organizations can choose from the three deployment options depending on their available budgets and preferences. To make the best decision for your company, it often helps to compare each cloud option closely.

Private Cloud vs. Public Cloud

Many industries use private and public clouds to store their data and infrastructure. These deployment types have a few key differences:

• Tenancy: One of the most significant variations between the two options is the number of tenants. On a public cloud, multiple companies or organizations can use the software at once. Each user stores their data in a shared environment. For instance, many organizations use Google Drive to store files. In contrast, a private cloud is only for a single tenant. Only one organization holds its data in the cloud server.
• Privacy levels: The two also vary by privacy levels. One of the benefits of private clouds is their total privacy. Only the intended organization can use the cloud and access the data stored there. On the other hand, public services are available to anyone who needs them. While public clouds are still highly secure, they don’t offer the same extreme privacy as private ones.
• Management: Next, public and private clouds use different management forms. With a private cloud, your company needs its own administrators to manage the software services. Your organization has to find the necessary resources and staff to manage the cloud correctly. However, third-party administrators manage the cloud in public clouds. If you experience any issues with the software, you rely on the service provider to help rather than solve it yourself. Third-party management is one of the benefits of public clouds, especially if you don’t have the IT resources for troubleshooting.
• Cost: Public and private clouds can also differ in expenses. If you select a private cloud, you might have more upfront costs than a public one. You have to purchase hardware, software and other necessary features. You also need to pay for staffing and ongoing maintenance costs related to the set-up. On the other hand, a public cloud is handled entirely by a third-party service provider. While you pay to use it, you don’t have to pay for staffing or hardware costs.

Overall, both private and public clouds offer a reliable way to store data and use web-based applications.

Public Cloud vs. Hybrid Cloud

Next, public and hybrid clouds are both excellent options for cloud storage. Looking at their differences can help you decide which is a better fit. In a hybrid cloud infrastructure, you house information in a public and private cloud.

A hybrid cloud has features from public clouds, so the two share similarities. For instance, the public components of a hybrid cloud are also managed by third-party service providers and can have multiple tenants.

Here are some variations between public and hybrid clouds:

• Integration capabilities: A public cloud is limited to just public capabilities, while a hybrid model contains both public and private cloud features. For instance, a hybrid model would allow you to store sensitive data in your private cloud center, then use the public component to manage email or other web components. In contrast, if you only select a public cloud, you can only use the public cloud features.
• Data center location: The two also differ by location. Public cloud servers can exist anywhere online, depending on the service provider’s location. A hybrid cloud is maintained both privately and publicly. Your private data resides in your private server, while your public cloud data resides in the third-party service provider’s location.

Hybrid Cloud vs. Private Cloud

Lastly, hybrid clouds and private clouds also contain crucial similarities and differences. A hybrid cloud’s private features are the same as a private cloud. For instance, only your organization can access data you house privately.

However, the two have a few key differences:

• Flexibility: The most significant difference is that a hybrid cloud model includes private and public capabilities. Instead, a private cloud only has one type of function. While you can store data on both public and private servers in a hybrid cloud, you can only use private servers in a private cloud.
• Cost: Private clouds can often cost more than the alternatives because you have to purchase and maintain hardware within your organization. In a hybrid model, you manage your private server, but a third party manages your public cloud. The combined nature of a hybrid model could impact overall prices.

Contact Prelude Services for Cloud Services

Clouds of all types can bring several benefits, including cost efficiency and accessibility.

Prelude Services is committed to delivering high-quality cloud services and support. We offer public, private and hybrid cloud options, so you’re sure to find the best fit for your facility’s needs. Our expert team helps you select the best option, then integrates the necessary hardware and software to get started. Our dedicated customer service team will quickly address any questions or issues you may have.

We understand every organization has unique needs and work hard to provide customized solutions. To get started with Prelude Services, contact us today.

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Senior living communities use a wide range of technologies throughout daily procedures. From digital records and recorded voice alerts to motion sensors and security alarms, many forms of technology are used by residents and employees alike. These tools help with residents’ health and safety.

It’s crucial for these technologies to remain online. Without them, residents might not receive the care they need. One way to ensure your technical tools stay protected is with a 24/7 IT service desk. These services offer support for various technologies at any time of day, allowing you to solve issues before they become significant. Whether you need help recovering a lost file or have a question about security protocols, a 24/7 service desk can help.

Discover more benefits of 24/7 service desks for senior living communities.

What Are 24/7 IT Service Desks?

A 24/7 service desk provides a source of ongoing technical support for companies and organizations. This customer service strategy is available during all hours of the day so customers, residents and other patrons can get support whenever they need it. 

Providers might offer 24/7 support through tools like:

• Live phone calls: Most service desks employ IT-certified technicians who have been trained in particular software, hardware or web-based applications. These technicians can respond directly to phone calls from users. Then, they can diagnose and resolve the problem over the phone. If the technician cannot solve the issue, they can escalate it to more senior officials.
• Online submissions: Another form of IT 24/7 support is through online submissions, sometimes called “tickets.” Users can submit questions or concerns through an online form, and technicians respond in writing instead of over the phone. These forms are often intended for issues of lower priority rather than emergencies.
• Online knowledge bases: Many services make knowledge bases available for 24/7 access. These interfaces often contain frequently asked questions, instructions for basic setup, common troubleshooting answers and other useful information. Users can access these bases at all times, allowing them to resolve their problems on their own.

For senior living communities, a 24/7 help desk can assist with the various forms of technology used in the center. For instance, administrators might call or submit a question about record-processing software. With 24/7 support, you can solve technical problems no matter what time they occur.

4 Benefits of a 24/7 Service Desk for Senior Living Communities

Investing in a 24/7 IT service desk can bring many benefits to senior living communities. Here are four examples:

1. Enhanced Safety

The safety of senior residents in living communities is a top priority. Various forms of technology, from security systems to electric wheelchairs, keep residents safe during their stay. Many senior residents rely on technology for their care, making the tools crucial for their well-being.

With a 24/7 IT service desk, you can access support for your community’s technology at all times. With immediate support, you can diagnose technology issues right away. In turn, your community can continue to provide the highest support possible.

For instance, many senior living communities use online software to manage health records and emergency contact information. If a technical malfunction blocked your access to these records, employees would be unable to use them for residents. You could call the 24/7 IT help desk, and they could help you get your files back online. In turn, you can keep your residents safe. 

2. Resident-Centered Approach

As mentioned, technology is a crucial component of senior living communities. By committing to an IT service support line, you can ensure these vital tools stay online and in the best shape possible. You invest in the residents’ well-being and make sure their security remains the highest priority.

From older adult care facilities to hospitals, most healthcare practices use digital solutions to store sensitive data. While these solutions are convenient and streamlined, they also present the threat of cyber attacks. Data breaches at your senior living facility could be extremely harmful, because attackers could gain access to medical records, financial information or other vital documents.

By investing in a 24/7 IT support service, you can add more protection against attacks. You can call the support line if you notice any suspicious activity, preventing large-scale cyber attacks. Many IT support technicians can also help with disaster recovery. In this service, your IT support will help you recover lost files or retrieve other stolen information. 

Overall, the enhanced security of 24/7 IT services helps you focus on residents, from protecting their information to providing the best care possible.

3. Increased Efficiency

Another benefit of a 24/7 security desk is enhanced efficiency. IT support can help you keep your devices and software online. With their help, you can reduce downtime and move through daily tasks more efficiently. You can provide high-quality care to residents without delays due to malfunctioning technology.

For instance, a facility might rely on digital records to know what medications each resident uses each day. If their software was delayed and employees couldn’t access these records, they wouldn’t be able to complete this procedure. With a 24/7 support line, IT service professionals could resolve the issue and allow residents to receive care more quickly.

4. Analyze Responses

You can also use your IT services to analyze your current technology systems. You might notice that you have to call about a particular service more commonly than others. If you realize an application or piece of equipment constantly needs assistance, it might be time to replace or upgrade it. Your IT services can suggest alternatives or help diagnose a larger problem that might need to be addressed. 

Making any suggested updates, repairs or replacements can help your facility’s systems avoid downtime and service delays. IT professionals who have experience with senior living communities can make suggestions tailored to your specific needs.

Contact Prelude Services for 24/7 IT Support

A 24/7 service desk for senior living communities can solve many technical issues. At Prelude Services, we understand the importance of reliable technology in your practice.

Our 24/7 IT support service can help your senior living community stay secure and efficient. We can help with hardware issues, software problems, potential cyber attacks and other technical problems that arise. Our expert technicians provide high-quality advice that resolves your issues quickly. Prelude Services can help senior living communities of all sizes and needs.

To get started with Prelude Services, contact us today.

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Senior living facilities deal with a lot of data at any time, and it’s essential to manage it well. With cloud solutions, your nursing home can gain flexibility, protect sensitive information and save money on hardware. When you approach the transition to the cloud with the right concepts in mind, you can find a solution that fits your business.

The Benefits of Moving to the Cloud

Many companies find themselves moving to the cloud for its many benefits. Advantages include:

• Accessibility: You can access cloud applications, files and more from any internet-connected device. Improve your data access across all device types, including smartphones and tablets.
• Flexibility: The cloud uses all the available applications and features to scale with your business. As your needs change, you can modify your solutions to suit your facility.
• Automation: Having automatic updates is standard among cloud applications, so you’ll have the fastest, most secure version available.
• Cost-savings: Cloud computing reduces the need for hardware at your facility so that you can save on cables, hard drives and more.
• Security: With all of your data moved offsite, stolen computers or laptops won’t compromise any sensitive information.

3 Tips for Moving to the Cloud

Moving to the cloud can be a simple task with the right approach. If you keep these tips in mind, you can easily transition to the cloud and enjoy its many benefits.

1. KNOW WHAT YOU NEED

There are many far-reaching ways cloud infrastructure can support a nursing home. You can use the cloud to store data, share files and create entire desktops. There are also cloud-based backup plans to help you recover lost data.

When you look into cloud infrastructure, make sure you understand your priorities. Maybe you start with data storage to get files transferred to a single, accessible location to start. Perhaps you’re looking for a complete cloud desktop solution. Discuss your options with your service provider to find the right match for your needs.

2. PRIORITIZE SECURITY

The data you handle at a senior living facility is sensitive information, and it’s essential to keep it secure. When you choose your cloud solution, make sure to look into the security in place to encrypt and protect your data. You can also look into additional protective abilities like password-locked file folders and admin-only access.

3. LOOK FOR TRAINING AND SUPPORT

If you and your team are unfamiliar with the cloud, it’s helpful to work with a provider who offers ongoing support. If you have any questions about how to use your applications or troubleshoot problems, a point of contact is valuable. Added training can help you overcome any challenges of moving to the cloud, so you can implement the cloud across your organization and get everyone on the same page. 

Move to the Cloud With Prelude Services

At Prelude Services, we specialize in IT for healthcare providers like nursing homes. Our team supports private and public cloud solutions through our fully redundant data centers and hosting capabilities. With annual auditing against the SSAE SOC 2 standards, we confirm the security, availability, processing integrity and confidentiality necessary for your senior living community.

If you’re ready to transition to the cloud, our cloud computing support can help you meet your goals. Get in touch today to learn more about our services.

The post Moving Your Senior Living Facility or Nursing Home to the Cloud appeared first on Prelude Services.