Earlier this week I had the opportunity to present at the Information Technology Alliance (ITA) semi-annual conference. ITA was originally founded to serve the IT Solution Provider division of CPA firms. The audience was a group of tech savvy individuals who are well grounded as well in the world of Public Accounting. I opened the session with a simple question. "If data were a line item on your balance sheet, what would the amount be?"

Chins hit the table, gasps took most of the air out of the room. Reply such as "HUGE", "Incalculable" and "Too big to understand" were thrown about.

Why has this question never been asked before?

The answer to the what amount your data is worth is the very reason you need a BC/DR Plan. Don't kid yourself...

For more information and a While Paper on the "Value of Data" drop me a line,

So, what is your data worth?

When will they learn? Our health professionals are obligated by law to keep our private health information confidential. How do you lose a "mobile device"? OK, I can accept that inattentive individuals lose things. Why are these people entrusted with such sensitive data? But even more, why are these devices not encrypted? It is so easy to mandate that any, YES ANY, device that has, or has access to confidential information use data encryption and 3 factor authentication. Just a note to all of you, putting the password to your encryption authorization as an entry on your cell phone makes you as guilty as the person who disregards the letter of the law and the trust your patients have placed with you.