LOS ANGELES, July 5, 2016 — KirkpatrickPrice announced today that Wilcon, a fiber optic and data center infrastructure provider, has demonstrated through an independent review of their information security control structure, their compliance with the SSAE 16/SOC 1 Type II Audit Standards, as well as the HIPAA Security Rule. The completion of these engagements provides evidence that Wilcon has a strong commitment to deliver high quality services to its clients by demonstrating they have the necessary internal controls and processes in place to protect consumer data and comply with industry standards and regulations.
In a SOC 1 Type II Report, the Independent Auditor evaluates the Service Organization’s control systems relevant to the client’s internal control, reports on management’s description of the Service Organization’s system and the suitability of the design and operating effectiveness of the controls throughout a specified period of time, and offers a description of the tests of the controls and results of the tests.
SSAE 16 provides CPAs with guidelines for evaluating, testing, and reporting the controls of the Service Organization, which are then used by their clients’ auditors to evaluate the effectiveness of internal controls at the service provider, relevant to their own control environment. Intended to aid Service Organizations in eliminating potential errors to client information, the standard ensures efficiency in their controls.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA) Security Rule is a national standard set for the protection of consumers’ Electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI). The ePHI that an organization manages must be protected from anticipated breaches by mandating a Risk Assessment and implementing appropriate Physical, Administrative, and Technical Safeguards. HIPAA laws are regulated by the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) and are meant to protect unauthorized use and disclosure of ePHI.
KirkpatrickPrice, a licensed CPA and PCI QSA firm, was engaged by Wilcon to perform the audit and appropriate testing of Wilcon’s controls that may affect its client’s financial statements. In accordance with SSAE 16 (Statements on Standards for Attestation Engagements), the SOC 1 Type II audit report includes Wilcon’s description of controls and the auditor’s opinion regarding the fairness and suitability of internal controls placed in operation to achieve the specified control objectives.
KirkpatrickPrice performed an independent review of Wilcon’s information security control structure and determined the organization’s compliance with the HIPAA Security Rule. We determined from our review that Wilcon has implemented adequate administrative, physical, and technical controls to address their security risks.
“Our compliance with both the SOC 1 Type II and HIPAA Security Rule reflect our ongoing commitment to support the most rigorous standards for business process control, data security, and privacy within our data centers” said Jon DeLuca, chief executive officer of Wilcon. “We will continue to invest in critical infrastructure, tools, services and personnel required to maintain these standards and achieve regulatory compliance with the leading safeguards and regulations within the data center industry.”
“Many of Wilcon’s clients rely on them to protect their data,” said Joseph Kirkpatrick, Managing Partner with KirkpatrickPrice. “As a result, Wilcon has implemented best practice controls demanded by their customers to address information security and compliance risks. Our third-party opinion validates these controls and the tests we perform provide assurance regarding the managed solutions provided by Wilcon. We determined from our review that Wilcon has good technical controls in place in accordance with industry-accepted standards, and appropriate physical and environmental controls and is in compliance with all HIPAA Security Rule standards.”
About Wilcon
Wilcon is the premier West Coast provider of best-in-class fiber optic and data center infrastructure solutions helping to enable the digital future of their customers. As one of the largest fiber optic networks in Southern California, Wilcon offers vast reach and diverse routes connecting major data centers, enterprise locations and wireless communications sites, as well as the most dense fiber and interconnection infrastructure in downtown Los Angeles. Wilcon delivers in Southern California dark fiber and ultra-broadband optical services for businesses, wireless carriers and other communications service providers that ensure optimal performance for their mission-critical data traffic and applications. Wilcon also owns and operates leading data center and carrier-neutral colocation facilities in downtown Los Angeles, including its key hub at the One Wilshire. Founded in 1998, the company continues to experience record growth and profitability and has been recognized by Inc. magazine as one of the fastest growing privately held companies. www.wilcon.com.
About KirkpatrickPrice, LLC
KirkpatrickPrice is a licensed CPA firm providing assurance services to over 400 clients in more than 40 states, Canada, Asia, and Europe. The firm has over 10 years of experience in information security and compliance assurance by performing assessments, audits, and tests that strengthen information security and internal controls. KirkpatrickPrice most commonly provides advice on SSAE 16, HIPAA, SOC 2, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, FISMA, and CFPB frameworks. www.kirkpatrickprice.com.