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Healthcare cybersecurity threats continue with no end in sight
Scott E. Rupp Healthcare AdministrationIn 2019, healthcare organizations were the fourth most common target for ransomware attacks, according to a report released by Cylance, a BlackBerry company. Healthcare made up 7% of attacks overall, after technology (28%), consumer goods (15%) and manufacturing (11%), but the sophistication of attacks is growing more complex. A year prior, in 2018, Cylance said it saw a decline in overall ransomware attacks and an increase in malicious coin miners.
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Apple vs. the FBI: How dropped data encryption plans impact user privacy
Oliver Noble Science & TechnologyAbout two years ago, Apple canceled its plans to implement end-to-end encryption for iCloud because of complaints from the FBI, reports Reuters. Reuters' sources say that the tech giant had to abandon full encryption of iPhone backups after FBI objections over the resulting reduced ability to gather evidence of criminal activities. Apple's intention to offer end-to-end encryption and cut off its own access to customers’ information should be lauded, despite it running contrary to the FBI's principles.
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New resources in precision medicine that every doctor should know about
Lisa Mulcahy Medical & Allied HealthcarePrecision medicine, or personalized medicine as it is sometimes referred to, is a most significant and promising healthcare trend. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) defines precision medicine as an individualized plan that uses a patient's genetic makeup and their environment and lifestyle to deliver the right preventative advice or targeted disease treatment. There are several exciting developments in this field that you, as a physician or hospital administrator, should know about and investigate further.
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Will the 2020s see the rise of the retail robots?
Katherine Radin RetailGiven the current retail landscape, it comes as no surprise that retailers are diversifying their strategies to avoid closings or losing business to online shoppers. At the National Retail Federation's recent trade show, robots took the spotlight as a solution for retailers looking to improve their inventory management strategies. Some retailers have already been using robots in their distribution centers, and Walmart has recently adopted these high-tech "employees" as well. What does that mean for the industry, retail workers, and in-store shoppers?
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Research: An analysis of travelers’ choices to share or access home-sharing…
Linchi Kwok Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementOne selling point of a home-sharing service is that it gives travelers unique social interactions with the host. Early literature about home-sharing services also confirms that travelers appreciate the interactions with the local hosts. An argument, however, arises that the "sharing" economy is actually an "access" economy. Some travelers only pay for permission to use someone else's facility with no interest in social interactions. If travelers merely want to "access" a home-sharing facility, the differences between a home-sharing stay and a regular hotel stay become nebulous.
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A look at the important state-level criminal justice reforms of 2020
Bambi Majumdar Law Enforcement, Defense & Security2020 has started with a wave of criminal justice reform laws coming into effect across the country. New state laws have come in the wake of President Trump signing the bipartisan First Step Act into law in December 2018. Some states even passed dozens of measures, all of which took effect this month. In particular, the last year was especially eventful for New York as far as criminal justice reform is concerned. The state's Democratic majority wasted no time in pushing significant reforms at the state level.
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Are hypersonic missiles a breakthrough in weapons technology?
Michelle R. Matisons Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityWhat does weapons modernization look like these days? Ask Russia and China. Yes, as banal as it may seem, the arms race has entered overdrive with newly hyped hypersonic technology. Far from peaceful disarmament, hypersonic missiles arrive to up the tactical ante — or at least the debate on standard and boutique weapons technologies. Hypersonic missiles travel at five times the speed of sound and are capable of reaching the U.S. from China within minutes. These fast and sophisticated missiles have regalvanized the Cold War mentality. But are they a real threat?
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When it comes to social media, what do our students need to know?
Brian Stack EducationImagine a world without social media. No likes. No status updates. No notifications. Those of us born before 2000 can remember life before social media, but I'm not sure how many of us would actually want to go back to those days for any length of time, especially when we start to weigh the advantages and disadvantages that social media platforms have given us in both our personal and professional lives. We are at a unique time in our human existence — one where teachers and students are learning how to navigate this brave, new digital world. How can teachers make sense of all of this so that they can do right by their students?
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Smart pills: The pros and cons of an important healthcare trend in 2020
Lisa Mulcahy PharmaceuticalSmart pills are highly promising, yet controversial, new developments that have many intriguing potential applications. They are drugs containing tiny sensors that monitor a patient's condition internally or target certain treatments. This monitoring may ultimately happen through telemedicine or other remote means. For example, researchers from Columbia University report they've developed a smart pill for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer patients that recognizes a specific protein made by cancer cells and delivers medication specifically to combat that protein.
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Infographic: Protecting your data from physical theft
Brian Wallace Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityCredit and debit card fraud resulted in losses of nearly $28 billion in 2018. We all know by now to cover our PINs at the gas pump because of card skimmers, but did you know that using public USB chargers is even more risky? Criminals can load malware onto USB charging stations and cables left in public places — locking your device or sending data and passwords to the scammer. This infographic outlines the physical threats to information security.
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