Ensure that Your Network Connection Stays Well-Protected
Today

Now that more and more people are working from home these days in light of COVID-19, network systems both in the home and at the offices are at risk. Hackers and privacy-violations are threats you don’t want to have to deal with, but you might not be considering these issues until they’re right in front of you.

But you can avoid these security risks by having robust networking solutions at your Hawaii residential and commercial spaces. Whether it’s in your living space or your company that might not be operating as usual, you can use a professional network installation.

In this blog, we’ll dive into how this upgrade can keep your home or business safe. Read on below to learn more!

SEE ALSO: 3 Things to Look for in a Smart Home Company

Home Network Connectivity & Performance

Spending more time at home can get chaotic once your technologies start to fail you. With more people inside, your home network is more likely to become overcrowded as its bandwidth simply cannot take so many connected devices running and using the internet at once.

PAC will stay open as a federally mandated essential business

As businesses close throughout the country to aid in social distancing and halting the spread of COVID-19, we have been designated by the government as an essential business that may remain open to support our community during this time. That being said, we’re not conducting business as usual. Your safety is greatly important to us, which is why we’ve implemented special steps to protect clients and staff during the COVID-19 outbreak in the US. You can explore the steps we’ve taken here.

Technology integrators have been labeled an essential business by the Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) in large part since we’re vital to homeowners setting up home offices and learning environments. Integrators are also recognized for their role in keeping a strong networking infrastructure throughout the country as other essential organizations also need support during this challenging time. 

During this critical period, we are committed to helping our clients stay connected, support remote learning for the nation’s children, and protect our clients’ properties and families. 

Though networking and communications infrastructure are the primary reasons for our essential business designation, we will also be available for any service, support, and installation of vital home technology systems including security, surveillance, lighting control, entertainment, and more. A strong network is essential for much of the country right now, and we are here to support your needs.

PAC is following and exceeding CDC and WHO guidelines to the point that we are wiping phones down. We are still going into homes but are calling prior to doing so, in order to make sure no one has been sick or quarantined. Our team wants to ensure social distancing is practiced in the house, and we will clean as we go through the house and before we leave it.

COVID-19 and Cybersecurity

In today’s complex and interconnected world virtually no major event occurs without an associated cyber threat. The COVID-19 pandemic is exception. As all of us work to mitigate this threat, we should be aware of how cybersecurity impacts us in doing so.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) warns individuals to remain vigilant for scams related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Cyber actors may send emails with malicious attachments or links to fraudulent websites to trick victims into revealing sensitive information or donating to fraudulent charities or causes. Exercise caution in handling any email with a COVID-19-related subject line, attachment or hyperlink, and be wary of social media pleas, texts or calls related to COVID-19.

CISA encourages individuals to remain vigilant and take the following precautions.

• Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails and be wary of email attachments. See Using Caution with Email Attachments and Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Scams for more information.
   
• Use trusted sources—such as legitimate government websites—for up-to-date, fact-based information about COVID-19.
   
• Do not reveal personal or financial information in email, and do not respond to email solicitations for this information.
   
• Verify a charity’s authenticity before making donations. Review the Federal Trade Commission’s page on Charity Scams for more information.
   
• Review CISA Insights on Risk Management for COVID-19 for more information.”[1]

In addition, threats may take on the form of websites providing critical information to the public. For example, according to both CISA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, a malicious website pretending to be Johns Hopkins University’s live map for Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases is circulating on the internet waiting for unwitting internet users to visit the website.

Visiting the website infects the user with the AZORult trojan, an information-stealing program that can exfiltrate a variety of sensitive data. It is likely being spread via infected email attachments, malicious online advertisements and social engineering. Furthermore, anyone searching the internet for a coronavirus map could unwittingly navigate to this malicious website.

While dedicated attacks to interfere with or slow response to this crisis remain a concern at federal and state levels, the primary cyber-related concerns for most of us related to COVID-19 include:

The team at PAC is keeping an eye on all the latest news about the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States and around the world, and we are taking all necessary precautions to keep our employees, clients and community safe during this time. Health precautions and protocols in line with WHO and CDC directives are taking place throughout our organization to reduce the spread of disease. Every day our team reviews up-to-date recommendations to ensure we’re doing everything to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Though these may change over time, here are the current steps we are taking to reduce the risks associated with this novel coronavirus:

• Every technician is equipped with hand-sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to clean their hands. It is also readily available at our showrooms, offices and work sites to be used by all of our employees. In addition, all employees must wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Employees who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness are recommended to stay home and not come to work until they are free of fever (100.4° F ​​[37.8° C​] or greater using an oral thermometer), signs of a fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g. cough suppressants). Employees are instructed to notify their supervisor and their healthcare provider immediately upon experiencing any symptoms.
• Measures are in place to address employees who have recently traveled or have family members who have tested positive for COVID-19. They will go through a CDC-directed risk assessment for potential exposure and be directed to stay home if necessary. 
• Disinfectant wipes are readily available throughout our job sites and permanent locations to wipe down frequently touched surfaces including workstations, countertops, doorknobs, remotes, and touchpanels. In the field, our installers also have wipes handy to wipe down tools and equipment before and after each use.
• Our installers are following strict on-site health and safety guidelines including the use of disposable gloves and sterilization products. 
• We will refrain from shaking hands with clients, and will maintain recommended distances while in your home or business.
• Our technicians are willing to wear N95 masks in your home or business upon request, and are performing necessary sterilization methods before, during and after being on the job-site. Necessary supplies will be on them and in the vans.
• Employees have flexible sick leave policies that offer them the ability to care for themselves and family when needed. 

We appreciate your trust during these unprecedented times, and we take the health and wellbeing of our clients and employees very seriously. To protect our staff, we also ask that our clients communicate if anyone in your home or business is experiencing symptoms or has been exposed to the virus. We also ask that you follow the CDC's guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID-19 while we are on-site. If you have any questions about these precautions, please do not hesitate to reach out.