Is Putting Your Patient Data At Risk Worth It? Why Upgrading To Microsoft Windows 10 Is So Important

Even Microsoft is making a valiant effort to squash all Windows 7 users by releasing an update that will display a notification reminding users to upgrade to Windows 10 by January 14, 2020. There are reasons for this and reasons to be concerned about if we as users care about the security of our data. If Microsoft is taking this seriously, then we need to take a cue from them and listen.

In actuality, Microsoft ended all mainstream support and warranty for Windows 7 on January 13, 2015 and has only been providing security and bug fixes. Granted you will not wake up on January 14, 2020 to find that your Windows 7 pc has spontaneously combusted. You will still be able to use it, however, there are strong concerns and urges from every angle of the software and technology world that warns us otherwise.

Are we over exaggerating? No, and here is why.

Microsoft will no longer provide patches for viruses or security issues once Windows 7 reaches End of Life. This leaves you as an end user extremely vulnerable to cyber threats and vulnerabilities. Moreover, if a large percentage of users are still using Windows 7, malicious targeting by deviant individuals is greatly increased as they look to target those that are most vulnerable.

Why leave patient data at such a high risk when it’s so easy to update?

There is minimal disruption and down time when upgrading your Windows software to Windows 10 and most software applications are already compatible with Windows 10. For the most part, upgrading to Windows 10 does not require new hardware as long as your hardware meets the minimum specifications.

Why is it important to invest in updating to Windows 10?

It’s simple, you are either paying to update to Windows 10 or spending a substantial amount of money to clean up a cyber attack that has compromised your patient data and placed you in violation of HIPAA. Is the risk truly worth it? I think not and many would agree.

Sources:

Related posts:

I grew up in Charleston South Carolina, just about 7 miles from the port where Africans and Caribbean’s had been transported like animals in the belly of slave ships and sold on the auction block. I…

We all love sailing on the ocean. This is one of the pleasures that every human should have to spend a wonderful moment with friends and family and enjoy nature. Unfortunately, not many people have…

In working closely with founders and CEOs during various points of their “company growth journey,” what I’ve learned is-no matter your size or industry-creating value should be the foremost priority…