Local Computer Guru’s Make Sure The Golden Isles Is Prepared For The End Of Windows Xp

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. - Feb. 21, 2014 - PRLog -- St. Simons Island, GA –Windows XP was released August 24, 2001 and has been widely deployed in homes and corporate environments alike. The issue is that once Windows XP is retired, Microsoft will no longer support it and will no longer issue security updates or patches, meaning it immediately is no longer PCI compliant or HIPAA compliant – a HUGE problem for every little shop to a large Doctors office. HIPAA Security Rule section 164.308(a)(5)(ii)(B) states that you must implement "procedures for guarding against, detecting, and reporting malicious software."

Obviously if you cannot update your software to protect your systems against malicious software, it is impossible for you to comply with this HIPAA Security Rule specification. That means that in less than a year from now, security updates and virus patches will cease. That means that practices will be in a real threat to viruses, Trojans, and other security vulnerabilities, because all the bad guys in cyberspace know that millions of computers will be unpatched. Those practices that do not take action will become an easy target for back-doors and other entry points on millions of networks around the world.

Your next steps would be to evaluate or hire an IT expert to evaluate your current workstations – to see if they have the resources to run a newer version of Windows. If so you can exercise your volume licensing upgrade options, or purchase the proper licensing to upgrade your environment. A more likely scenario would be that you have old workstations that are overdue for replacement anyway, in which case, upgrading would not be practical.

Coastal currently provides IT and/or wireless services to many of the local businesses such as Hodnett Cooper & Little St. Simons Island, and recently expanded their client list to include tourist destinations, Musgrove Plantation, Cumberland Island, Jekyll Island Authority and St. Simons Island’s Pier Village Area to name just a few.

Coastal Computer Consulting LLC / Coastal Wi-Fi is based on St. Simons Island, and was founded to meet the growing demand for local, affordable, secure, public wireless networks and IT services. The Founders possess over 30 years combined experience in Information Technology, Networking & Security; and work quickly and efficiently which means cost and time savings to their clients. For more information, or to schedule an interview please contact Natasha Williams - Soca Communications LLC at 912-222-8921.