June 2012 | Blue PencilBlue Pencil

London businesses need to ensure they have proper backup systems installed for data protection, along with protocols for employees working from home.

London businesses possibly unprepared for Olympics

06/29/2012 at 12:00pm

There are very real dangers within information security that businesses might overlook. In addition to employees working from home, proper backup systems should be installed to ensure that there are no unexpected losses of data. Continue reading →

If an individual's medical identity is stolen, false insurance claims could be filed in their name or prescription drugs could be ordered, both of which lead to significant financial damages.

Medical ID theft on the rise, few aware of the dangers

06/28/2012 at 8:20am

Only 15 percent of insured adults said they were familiar with the new form of identity theft. Of that percentage, only 38 percent could correctly define the term, “medical identity.” Continue reading →

Some individuals are concerned about the safety and privacy of patient information, as medical transcriptionist jobs in British Columbia are expected to be outsourced.

Outsourcing medical record transcribing raises privacy concerns

06/26/2012 at 8:48am

Currently, dictated reports by hospital physicians and other records generated by doctors are transcribed by staff working in secure locations, but that will change in the fall when 130 unionized transcriptionists will lose their jobs. Continue reading →

According to UNEP, e-waste from some countries is expected to increase 500 percent by 2020, which could cause toxic chemicals to seep into groundwater and cause a greater financial burden on already struggling economies.

E-waste expected to increase dramatically by 2020, experts say

06/25/2012 at 7:52am

The growing amount of leftover e-waste can cause toxic chemicals to seep into groundwater and even put a greater financial burden on countries already struggling economically, according to a UNEP report. Continue reading →

An Irish hospital, closed since 2006, still had patient records inside, which were exposed when individuals broke into the hospital, photographed the documents and then posted the photos online.

ICO fines trust after medical documents left in disused hospital

06/22/2012 at 8:01am

Belfast’s Belvoir Park Hospital launched an investigation after the breach and found that several thousand patient records and employee pay slips – some dated as far back as the 1950s – had been photographed and posted online. Continue reading →

A Mississauga school was awarded a technology grant after its children collected the most e-waste in 10 days. The program taught children the importance of finding better ways to dispose of unwanted electronics.

Mississauga school awarded $10,000 grant for collecting e-waste

06/20/2012 at 9:07am

With only 27 students total at the Froebel Education Centre, it makes their collecting over 7,000 pounds of e-waste in a week and a half all the more remarkable, with each child in the school averaging over 260 pounds of e-waste. Continue reading →

Ontario earned high marks in a recent environmental report card, leading the way in areas such as air, climate, energy and innovation.

British Columbia and Ontario ace environmental report card

06/19/2012 at 8:09am

Corporate Knights, released its Green Provinces 2012 survey last week and focused on “clean capitalism” this year. The assessment looked into the 13 provinces’ environmental progress in seven categories: air and climate, water, nature, transportation, waste, energy and innovation. Continue reading →

Properly disposing of old electronic equipment is just as vital for the environment as recycling paper, plastic and glass products.

Canadian Muslims raising awareness for environmental preservation

06/18/2012 at 8:11am

As reported in an OnIslam article, the group incorporated a green theme, “Green for ISNA, Green for the Environment.” Organizers of the event underlined the importance of creating a green, ethical, Muslim footprint for the environment. Continue reading →

A U.S. Congressional investigation found that discarded electronics have been used to create counterfeit material that was used in military planes.

Fake Chinese military parts come from discarded electronics

06/14/2012 at 8:14am

American investigators discovered fake electronic components in military equipment and reported that a failure of the fake parts could cause missiles to go haywire or leave military transport pilots without a guidance system. Continue reading →

Officials are pushing for New Brunswick to initiate its own e-waste recycling program, as it is the only Maritime province to not have one.

New Brunswick lone province to not have e-waste legislation

06/12/2012 at 8:04am

More than 140,000 tonnes of computer equipment, phones, televisions, stereos, and small home appliances are discarded every year. Environment Canada says that is the equivalent of “the weight of 28,000 adult African elephants.” Continue reading →