Absolute Review: "A Healthcare solution that needs to be strongly considered on portable devices containing Electronic Medical Records, Personal Health Information or Personal Privacy Information”
Use Cases and Deployment Scope
Absolute Data and Device Security (DDS) is being used across our organization by our departments that use portable devices (notebooks and tablets) in the field for health-related work. We use this product primarily to be able to track the device in real time and if it is lost or stolen to be able to lock the device or wipe the information from it immediately. These portable devices contain client electronic medical records, personal health information, and personal privacy-related information. We need to ensure that this information is protected as best as possible at all times. Any breach of these data types can be difficult to deal with, cost a large amount in fines and leave the clients whose data was breached a loss of privacy as well as to be open to identity fraud, etc. The cost of a data breach in 2018 was $408 per record. In a breach scenario, you need to be able to accurately identify the data that was breached in order to do all that is required for reporting, client notification and also for the fines that you are subject to. If you are not able to accurately identify this information, you will be responsible to notify all clients and be subject to fines based on the total number client records you have, instead of actual records lost or stolen. The cost for a data breach can potentially run into the millions of dollars. Using Absolute Data and Device Security (DDS) limits our risk by allowing us to locate the device, lock or wipe it. We can have a record of proof showing that the device was locked, or wiped to protect this info and remove the ability of this data to be accessed and stolen as part of our compliance protocol. I find Absolute Data and Device Security (DDS) to be a tool that is invaluable in providing part of our overall comprehensive data security plan.
Pros
- Absolute can track devices in real time. If a device is stolen, you can track it. You can lock the device, wipe it or send a message to it. By tracking the device, you can also locate the user that has the device if it is in their possession. You can use it to track your people if you choose, but we use it only to locate an employee if they have not been heard from and have not replied to a cell phone call or text.
- Once Absolute is set up it requires no intervention. Setup is easy and the management interface is easy to use.
- It has the ability to track on Google Map with recent and historical locations. Geofences can be setup and triggered to send email alerts.
- Absolute reporting on the device provides OS information, software inventory, malware software reporting, etc.
- It protects itself from being removed with its’ persistence technology, which keeps it from being removed from the device, even if the device is reformatted and reloaded.
- The reporting capability on the devices provides a lot of information on each device that can be very useful in monitoring devices that are typically detached from the network.
Cons
- I do not know where I would consider this product to be deficient in functionality, difficult to use or any major changes that needed to be addressed.
- I wish the pricing of this product was a little lower, but I do think it is well worth the cost and consideration, especially if you are using it on devices containing electronic medical records, personal health information or personal privacy information.
Likelihood to Recommend
I do think it is well worth the cost and consideration, especially if you are using it on devices containing electronic medical records, personal health information or personal privacy information or devices that contain proprietary information, critical business information or other information that needs to be securely protected. It can also be used to track a device (individual) as well if that is your goal. We use it as an extra precaution to track our mental health clinicians that do home visits. It allows us to keep track of their whereabouts, in case an issue arises at a client's home. We are able to send someone out to check or assist, alert emergency services or send law enforcement if a situation should arise.
