EHR Speech Recognition Solutions
Why You Should Destroy Old Hard Drives
As a Technology Services Provider, we understand the importance of protecting your data and ensuring confidentiality. That’s because we constantly hear stories about misguided technology practices compromising patient data. As a result, we advise our clients to destroy old hard drives properly as part of their ongoing security procedures,
Practice Administrators are experts in patient care, medical billing, and staffing. However, they’re typically not proficient in technology. That’s why they rely on their Managed IT Services Provider (MSP). MSP’s keep them informed of healthcare technology trends to protect their practice and patient data. For example, did you know your office copier may contain a hard drive with hundreds or thousands of patient images?
Meaningful Use Security Risk Analysis Objective
One of the many requirements for this objective is to destroy decommissioned computer, server, and photocopier hard drives. Some people believe that low-level formatting or smashing a hard drive with a hammer is sufficient. However, what they don’t realize is that many advanced recovery techniques can still read the data.Therefore, it’s critical to destroy the drive’s internal platters before disposal.
Our Solution
At Innovative Computer Systems, we offer an affordable hard drive destruction service to all of our clients. Included in this service are:
- A before and after picture of the drive and serial number
- Drilled holes in the drive data platters
- Proper disposal of the drive according to EPA regulations
- Providing the client with pictures
- A certification document for their Meaningful Use binder.
This service, coupled with desktop encryption, will ultimately help safeguard your patient data.
Before
After
Destruction Certificate
Our “Extreme” Old Hard Drive Destruction Plan
Over the years we’ve accumulated dozens of defective, abandoned, or decommissioned hard drives. These hard drives fell outside the certified destruction guidelines. So, we thought “Instead of spending countless hours drilling holes through each drive, let’s take it one step further. Let’s have our clients shoot them full of holes!” Sounds extreme, right? As a result, our first Client Appreciation and Team Building Event was born.
The “Execution.”
First, we called Guns For Hire, a local shooting range in Woodland Park. After some coercion, they finally agreed to our “extreme” idea. Then, we went into our storage room to gather old computer hardware, peripherals, and hard drives. Then we fabricated the target practice stands. Finally, we sent out the invitations.
The Event
Twenty-one participant arrived at the range the night of the event. For targets, we provided over a ton of old computers, peripherals, phones, and hard drives. There were even two computer “gremlins” haunting our shooters (Frankenstein and Dracula).
After arriving, everyone indulged in gourmet sandwiches, pasta salad, dessert pizza, and refreshments. Then, the shooting range staff held a classroom session. During the training, they explained basic gun safety and techniques to ensure everyone had a fun and safe experience.
Plenty of range staff were also there to instruct the shooters. Some of their training included how to load, aim and shoot the variety of pistols, rifles, and shotguns provided.
There were over a dozen guns available. Several participants also brought their own for this once in a lifetime “grown-up shooting gallery” experience.
After 3000 rounds of ammo, there was nothing left but scrap metal and plastic littering the floor. Not to mention, the ear-to-ear smiles on everyone’s faces!
Watch the Full-Length Video
These hard drives never had a chance!
The Results
Overall, the event could not have gone any smoother. As you can see, our clients helped us destroy old hard drives and had fun doing it. Not to mention it was a huge success thanks to everyone who participated and helped organize the event.
Thank you for taking the time to read about our first annual Client Appreciation Event. We hope you’ll choose ICS as your Managed IT Services Provider. We’re also looking forward to seeing you at our next event!
Destroy Old Hard DrivesAbout Innovative Computer Systems
Innovative Computer Systems is a Managed Services Provider specializing in Healthcare Information Technology (HIT) and Corporate Business Technology. We work closely with our clients to understand their daily workflow requirements. Some of our clients include leaders in Ophthalmology, Facility Maintenance, Pediatrics, Law, Urology, Dermatology, Commercial Real Estate, Internal Medicine and Ambulatory Surgery.
About the author
Steve Gerbino is the Founder and CEO of Innovative Computer Systems. With over two decades of IT experience, his mission is to provide the best Information Systems and support for Healthcare Practices and Small Businesses.
Related posts
