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.

Think Beyond Your Conference Room Automation!

As business owners, sometimes we inordinately focus on external factors when determining both current business success and scalability. For example, we might count the number of clients we have and how much they bring in, or how many business partners you might nab on your next trip. While these are all critical factors, it often pays to look at internal elements when you’re ready to scale.

An internal focus means ensuring that your employees have everything they need to succeed and grow your business. Is your conference room automation speedy or intuitive enough for your junior salesperson’s first video-conference presentation? Does your peer leader have a small, quiet area to start a breakout coaching session? Let’s look at three rooms that every Kailua Kona, HI, business needs to thrive in the new decade.

SEE ALSO: The Most Unexpected Commercial AV Applications We’ve Installed

Conference Room

Of course, we can’t fail to mention that we design and install conference room automation. That’s where you bring in large groups of clients to discuss important matters, host conference lunches or impress prospects. Your largest meeting spaces should handle all of your needs, and those shifting requirements might involve many moving parts. For example, you might need beamforming microphones to pick up more voices around the room, motorized shades to block ambient light from a projector screen or in-wall speakers to distribute your audio. PAC’s conference room installations have you covered when you need a room that impresses every time.

Conference rooms have their uses, but too many business owners overuse them for a lack of more suitable options. Below you’ll find a more efficient way to manage smaller groups.

Pacific Audio & Communications Takes AV Installations to Breweries, Wineries and Beyond

If you own a business in Kaiula Kona, HI, or are interested in how other people operate theirs, we know you’ve heard about some of the benefits of commercial audio video installation. We’ve installed many corporate, restaurant and retail AV systems that have clients excited about boosting their customer base, upselling products, engaging employees and more.

But maybe you didn’t know how we could serve three markets that were untapped by AV updates for too long. Keep reading to find out some unexpected verticals we’ve reached, including the project that won us a CEDIA award.

SEE ALSO: Take a Look at Our Del Dotto Winery Project, Featuring Full Automation!

Wineries

We recently crossed the ocean to help a Napa Valley winery reach its full potential with AV systems and automation. We brought smart security, climate control, audio, video, lighting and more together as we modernized Del Dotto’s sprawling, architectural space. We’re very proud to say that our ambitious Del Dotto Winery project earned us CEDIA’s “Best Innovative System or Solution” in 2019.

As you might expect, PAC automated Del Dotto’s famous winery with tasting room AV. Wineries also allow us to help behind the scenes, too. By automating the wine caves’ temperature controls, we can ensure wines are at the perfect settings during fermentation. And if there is any change in temperature or an issue that arises, the system immediately lets the employees know so that they can tend to the wine immediately.