![]() Besides sending data in a secure manner even to people who don't have Sookasa, you can also securely receive files from these people. A particularly interesting feature is the application's file delivery system. Sookasa comes with its own online dashboard, from which you can invite people to access your data, manage encrypted and unencrypted data on DropBox, audit files and devices and much more. You can use the same sharing options, provided by DropBox, but you can also use Sookasa's own options, to control which specific persons may have access to your encrypted data. ![]() Anything you store in this folder will be encrypted automatically, before being uploaded to the cloud by DropBox. ![]() Once installed, Sookasa will create a new folder in your DropBox sync folder. It doesn't ask for additional drivers or other tools, but it should be fairly obvious that you need to have DropBox installed on your computer. Downloading and installing the application is not a challenging task and it should not take more than a minute. Sookasa is available in free and paid versions, for Windows and Mac OS X and for Android and iOS mobile platforms. The application is fully compliant with HIPAA and FERPA and it can be integrated into DropBox seamlessly, so you won't feel like you are using a different application. Sookasa brings a powerful encryption protocol to DropBox, as well as other security features. Fortunately, you can make up for such functionality gaps with third party applications. Many psychologists still store records in paper form or on their personal computers.Despite their smart functionality, cloud synchronization applications don't have much to offer in terms of security. However, as the movement toward using electronic systems for practice management and patient record keeping has gained momentum, cloud computing has become a valuable tool for backup of patient records. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Security Rule generally requires that providers maintain backups of patient records. The APA Practice Organization (APAPO) provided a basic introduction to cloud computing in October 2011. This article goes more in-depth regarding privacy and security and discusses other options for electronic record storage. What is Cloud Computing?Ĭloud computing is a method of saving data in an off-site storage system maintained by a third party. Cloud computing affords providers the convenience of accessing patient records from virtually anywhere. Additionally, cloud storage spares the expense of purchasing services or additional computer hardware for electronic storage, and thereby eliminates the need to maintain a large information technology (IT) system on site. It also limits the risk that your files will be lost should an unforeseen event affect your office - such as fire, flood or burglary. How is cloud computing different from office-based record keeping? By maintaining your records “in the cloud” and not in your physical office space, your patient records are no longer vulnerable to these risks. When utilizing a cloud storage system, copies of files are sent over the Internet to a data server where the information is recorded and saved. To retrieve the information, the server is generally accessed through a website portal by utilizing a unique username and password. This site allows the provider to access and edit patient files on the server, or it can be used to retrieve files that can then also be saved on the psychologist’s computer. Unlike maintaining hard copy records in your office or on your personal computer, storing data on a cloud storage system means the data can be accessed from any location with Internet access or from a mobile device such as a cell phone or tablet. How do you determine if the Cloud is HIPAA compliant? This could offer more flexibility and convenience for psychologists who practice in rural areas or from multiple locations. The first step is to research different Cloud computing options. Many sites will indicate that they are Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliant on the webpage. When looking at these products, psychologists should look for the option that indicates it is secure for health care providers - many vendors offer more basic versions that may not be HIPAA compliant. ![]() If you are unsure, contact the vendor to request more information about their product's HIPAA compliance and available security settings. (APA/APAPO does not endorse any particular products.) Some products that claim to be HIPAA-compliant include Carbonite, MozyPro and Sookasa.
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