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data breach
Data Breach

Smart Compliance with Complex Data Breach Laws

As cyberattacks increase in frequency and severity, organizations are under growing pressure to protect sensitive data and act quickly when there is a breach. In 2024, the United States experienced over 3,200 publicly reported data breaches that affected over 350 million individuals, a staggering reminder of the scale of this threat. Yet, responding to breaches isn’t just about damage control. It’s a legal obligation. A Maze of Data Breach Notification Laws Unlike the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which enforces a uniform data protection standard, the United States takes a decentralized approach. Each of the 50 states has enacted its own data breach notification law. These laws differ

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Maureen Kelly May 21, 2025
data privacy
Data Privacy

Protecting Your Data Privacy in a World of Threats

In today’s digital world, data privacy is more than a concern, it’s a necessity. From identity theft to corporate espionage, the risk of sensitive information falling into the wrong hands has never been higher. Relying solely on software-based security measures is no longer enough. Hackers continue to grow more sophisticated, and even physical theft of devices can lead to catastrophic breaches. The only way to truly protect your data is to ensure that it’s encrypted at the hardware level. Why Hardware-Based Encryption Matters Unlike software encryption, which can be vulnerable to malware or operating system exploits, hardware-based encryption provides a much stronger defense. This is where self-encrypting drives (SEDs) come

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Maureen Kelly May 8, 2025
breach notification
Data Security

Why the Breach Notification Rule in Healthcare Matters

Everyone involved with healthcare should know about the HIPPA Breach Notification Rule. This regulation mandates that HIPAA-covered entities and their business associates report breaches of unsecured protected health information (PHI). Additionally, similar provisions from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) apply to vendors of personal health records and their third-party providers. In simple terms, if you mishandle sensitive patient data, you’re legally required to notify affected parties, including the media and federal authorities in some cases. What is the Breach Notification Rule? A “breach,” by definition, is the improper use or disclosure of PHI that compromises its security or privacy. Unless proven otherwise through a rigorous risk assessment, any such incident

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Maureen Kelly April 23, 2025
laptop
Stolen Laptop

How Vulnerable is Your Data if Your Laptop is Stolen?

The sinking feeling of realizing your laptop is gone is often quickly followed by a more pressing concern – what about the data on it? The vulnerability of that information hinges on the security measures you have (or haven’t) put in place. A recent incident involving a virtual care management service provider serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks. When an employee’s password-protected laptop was stolen, the organization had to confront the possibility of sensitive patient data being exposed. While they found no evidence of unauthorized access, the event underscores a critical question: just how vulnerable is your data when your laptop falls into the wrong hands? The

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Maureen Kelly April 9, 2025
overwriting
Data Erasure

Is Overwriting a Hard Drive Best for Complete Data Erasure?

When it comes to data security, the need to fully erase sensitive information from storage devices is a critical concern for individuals and organizations alike. The most common non-destructive method for erasing data from traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) is overwriting – replacing existing data with patterns of zeroes, ones or random characters. But how many times must you overwrite a hard drive to ensure its data is truly irretrievable? The Evolution of Overwriting Standards For decades, different organizations and governments have debated the optimal number of overwriting passes required for secure data erasure. 1990s: The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) initially recommended a three-pass overwrite. 1996: Security researcher Peter

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Maureen Kelly March 26, 2025
data security
Data Security

Future-Proof Your Data Security with Opal Lock’s New Release

Fidelity Height has always been at the forefront of data security, providing users with powerful drive protection and encryption solutions. With the latest release of Opal Lock (version 1.3.2), we are taking another step forward in ensuring reliability, compatibility and enhanced security for users. This latest update decommissions outdated functionalities and replaces them with Microsoft’s recommended WMI features, improving drive scanning, security operations, and overall user experience. What’s New with Opal Lock? Opal Lock version 1.3.2 introduces changes that significantly improve security, compatibility, and performance for end users managing internal and external drives. Improved Drive Scanning With this update, Opal Lock has fully transitioned from WMIC commands to Microsoft’s recommended

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Maureen Kelly March 12, 2025
encryption
Device Security

Lost or Stolen Drives Are Secure with Hardware-Based Encryption

In today’s digital landscape, data security is a top priority for businesses and individuals alike. With lost and stolen drives on the rise, protecting sensitive information has never been more critical. Opal Lock by Fidelity Height provides cutting-edge, hardware-based encryption management that ensures your data remains secure even if your drive is lost or stolen. Enhanced Drive Management Managing encrypted drives doesn’t have to be complex. Opal Lock simplifies the process with intuitive features that help users monitor drive status, audit event logs, and query critical drive details – all in one seamless desktop application. Whether you’re an IT professional handling enterprise security or an individual securing personal files, Opal

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Maureen Kelly February 19, 2025
drive security
Drive Security

Simplifying Drive Security Without Compromising Protection

In today’s fast-paced digital world, security and usability must go hand in hand. Software-based encryption tools offer strong protection but at the cost of a complex setup and frustrating user experience. Opal Lock eliminates any trade off, providing powerful drive security that’s easy to set up, manage, and use – even for those without technical expertise. Compared with software-based encryption, Opal Lock offers superior performance using self-encrypting drive (SED) technology to configure and manage built-in hardware-based encryption. Effortless Setup for Instant Protection Unlike traditional encryption solutions that require lengthy configurations and technical know-how, Opal Lock makes securing your data on TCG Opal self-encrypting drives (SEDs) as simple as setting a

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Maureen Kelly February 13, 2025
data security solution
Data Security

Find the Right Data Security Solution for Your Needs

In an era where data security is paramount, having the right tools to protect sensitive information is essential. Opal Lock offers a comprehensive range of solutions tailored to different security needs. With options like Opal Lock Lite, Opal Lock USB, Opal Lock Standard, and Opal Lock Premium, users can choose the best fit for their specific requirements. Opal Lock Lite: Simple Yet Effective Solution Opal Lock Lite is a free companion tool designed to unlock Opal Lock-encrypted drives on additional computers without requiring extra licenses. It supports USB-connected external drives and provides a user-friendly interface for easy access to encrypted data. Ideal for IT administrators, remote workers, and teams, Opal

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Maureen Kelly January 28, 2025
drive management
SED Management

Enhanced Security and Seamless Drive Management with Opal Lock Version 1.3.1

Fidelity Height’s Opal Lock continues to lead the charge in self-encrypting drive (SED) management with its latest release – Version 1.3.1. This update introduces a suite of enhancements and fixes that solidify Opal Lock’s position as a must-have solution for robust hardware-based encryption. Opal Lock empowers users with hardware-based encryption for complete data security. The tool is compatible with SATA, NVMe, USB, and SAS-hosted drives, ensuring versatility for HDDs and SSDs alike. It supports all Windows platforms, including Windows 10/11 and Windows Server editions. New Features in Opal Lock Version 1.3.1 Whether you’re an individual safeguarding sensitive files or an organization managing multiple drives, Opal Lock’s Lite, USB, Standard, and

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Maureen Kelly January 15, 2025
data security
Cyber Security

Three Data Security Resolutions for 2025

2025 is the year to make critical changes – whether you’ve never considered your personal data security before or have been meaning to do so for a while. Cybersecurity threats such as spamming, phishing, and ransomware are real-world dangers that every internet user faces daily. Passwords continue to leak in massive corporate data breaches, and people own an increasing number of connected devices that can be hacked. There’s no denying that adding more security to your life requires some effort and inconvenience. Taking digital security precautions is slightly annoying but very doable, just like locking your bike instead of simply leaning it against a tree. So go for it! The

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Maureen Kelly December 31, 2024
secure your data
Data Protection

Protect Your Data During the Holiday Season

During the holiday travel and shopping season, the risk of losing laptops, USB drives, and other devices increases significantly. IT professionals brace for lost devices during the holidays, which can lead to security vulnerabilities. Data theft from lost or stolen devices can expose sensitive personal or business information, leading to severe consequences. Fortunately, Opal Lock by Fidelity Height offers cutting-edge protection to secure your data even if your device is physically lost or stolen. The Risk: Data Theft from Lost or Stolen Devices Traveling and shopping frequently during the holidays raises the likelihood of losing devices containing confidential data. A misplaced laptop or USB drive can become a treasure trove for

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Maureen Kelly December 23, 2024
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