How to Protect Your Dental Practice Online
Cyber security for dentists is a crucial, but largely over-looked, aspect of running a dental practice. Your computers, devices and networks hold confidential patient data and sensitive dental records.
With the rise of cyber attacks on medical businesses, the increasing reliance on the cloud for storage & processing and the introduction of legislation like GDPR, it is essential that dentists make sure they have a strategy for cyber security and protecting their digital information.
Cyber Security Threats to Healthcare Businesses
In this webinar, Arun and George discuss several cyber security issues which pose a threat to your healthcare business online.
Please click here to find out more about cybersecurity threats.
Preventing cyber attacks
Security Products
An essential part of any prevention of cyber attacks is using some sort of Anti-Virus software. This is a major contributor to compromises. A decent Anti-Virus software will quarantine a malicious file and ensure it does not have access to a computer, potentially compromising it.
An Anti-Virus works by scanning files or code that being passed through your network. Depending on the company. They build an extensive database of already known viruses and malware and matches the files to these in their database and decides whether to quarantine the file or not.
Hardware
Users can install a Firewall which is essentially a virtual wall that chooses to allow or decline traffic through your network.
Much like antivirus software’s, Firewalls scan packets for malicious code or attack vectors that have already been identified as established threats. Should a data packet be flagged and determined to be a security risk, the firewall prevents it from entering the network or reaching your computer.
Training
The number one way to prevent cyber attacks is training. It has been said that your own staff are the biggest threat to any business. All it takes is one staff member to click on a link and that can be the entire network compromised. Of course the computers will have an anti-virus which should block any virus that has been allowed to access the computer. But why increase your body armour when you can take the bullets out of the gun?
Phishing
Spotting a Phishing Email
There are 3 main traits to look out for with Phishing Emails.
- Urgency – Using tight deadlines to create a sense of urgency that distracts you from the rest of the message and pressures you into acting quickly.
- Authority – Using the authority of the sender, such as by pretending to be a senior executive, trusted colleague, or reliable company, to convince you that the message comes from a trustworthy source.
- Imitation – Exploiting ‘normal’ business communications, processes, and daily habits to trick you into reacting to a message. Check who the email is addressed to, if it’s ‘friend’ or ‘valued customer’, then this might be because the sender doesn’t know you.
Passwords
An obvious one; but having a secure password can be the difference between access and no access.
Nowadays websites ask for a secure password, this includes at least; one capital letter, 6 lowercase letters, and one number. Usually, people like to be able to remember their password so they will use personal names and dates.
A great method for a secure password is using the ‘Three Random Word’ method, this entails of using three completely random words, followed by ideally a random number, but any number would do, even a significant date. Using three different words will greatly increase the prevention for brute force attacks.
Example:
Joe Bloggs has a child names Sarah who was born 14/05/07.
Most commonly the password Joe will use is Sarah140507, this way Joe has ticked all the boxes for the website, and its easy to remember. But this password is not very secure.
As of Sept 2021, 78% of the UK population are regular social media users.
Joe Bloggs posted a picture of a birthday dinner for his daughter Sarah on Facebook on 14/05/18 saying, “Happy Birthday Sarah, 11 today!!”. See the issue? Joe told a wannabe hacker exactly the date of his daughters’ birthday. Using a brute force attack, the hacker can now try to force his way into Joe’s account(s) using the information he has gathered.
Read more about cyber threats here.
Allocate responsibilities in your dental practice
When it comes to computer security in a dental practice, it’s crucial to identify what must be done and allocate exactly which team members are responsible for those tasks.
Overall responsibility should rest with a senior manager who has a broad view of all the risks and how to tackle them.
Other individuals can handle particular aspects. For instance, installing security software.
Management should identify which information and technology is really vital to the business, this is where the big risks lie.
For example, damage to your dental practice’s financial or clinical system, or the loss of your dental patient list, could lead to the complete failure of the business.
Other information may be less important. Equally, some computers are probably more critical, or more vulnerable, than others.
Identifying the risks, then establishing what security measures already exist and whether they work, and what extra ones are required, will help you to target your security efforts where they are most needed in your dental practice.
Action: Make a list of all the cyber security steps that need to be taken and make a spreadsheet allocating these tasks to specific members of staff.
Protect your computers and networks in your dental practice
Malicious activity could come from outside or inside your dental practice. Attacks from outside, for example by troublemaking hackers or e even competitors, can be protected against simply by installing a firewall.
This is software or hardware which examines all the computer communications flowing in and out of the business, and decides whether it’s safe to let them through. It can also be used to manage your staff’s internet activity. For instance, by blocking access to chat sites where employees might encounter security risks.
You can configure (set-up) the firewall to allow or prevent certain kinds of activity. There are several different kinds of firewall. The router supplied by your Internet service provider (ISP) may already have one built-in, or you can buy a software firewall solution.
Protecting against illicit activity from inside the dental practice requires other precautions we’ll look at elsewhere in this supplement. All of these also provide extra protection against attacks from outside.
Action: Install a firewall to protect your networks and possibly restrict staff and patient usage of the internet in the dental practice.
Keep your dental practice’s computers and devices up-to-date
Suppliers of PCs, software, and operating systems, such as Windows, frequently issue software updates (patches) to fix minor problems (bugs) or improve security. It’s essential to keep all of the computers in your dental practice (and other devices) up-to-date with the latest patches and software updates.
Normally, they can be downloaded and installed automatically. Remember that just one vulnerable computer puts all the others at risk. It’s important to ensure that all available patches are applied to all of them.
Action: Check for software updates on all the devices in your dental practice and upgrade hardware that is outdated.
Control employee access to computers and dental records
Although your computers should be guarded by a firewall, you should still protect user accounts (each person’s ‘identity’ with which they log on to a computer) and sensitive documents with passwords.
Because each individual should have a unique user name and a password, access to different parts of your IT system can be limited to certain people. It is important to remember that some individuals may have more than one user name and password, perhaps if they have multiple roles.
This not only protects against accidental or intentional damage by staff to systems and information, it also provides further security against outside intrusions. To achieve this, you can use security options built in to operating systems such as Windows, or you can buy specialised software online.
Because you identified your biggest security risks and most vital information in Step 1, you can decide whether password control for a given item should be basic (for instance, one password authorising access to an entire computer) or stronger (each document or application requiring a separate password).
Some individuals designated as computer administrators (admins) may be given access to nearly everything, in order to perform technical work. You should keep the number of admins to a minimum.
Security software will usually generate records showing which employees have used particular computers or documents at different times. This can be useful for pinpointing problems, but access to these records should, of course, be tightly limited – otherwise, people misusing the system could alter them to cover their tracks.
You can find out more about patient data and record keeping on the BDA website here.
Action: Set up your employee profiles on your CRM, website administration and any other online data storage in your dental practice. Make sure you assign the appropriate roles to each team member.
Protect against computer viruses in your dental practice
Malicious software or ‘malware’ (a category including viruses, Trojans and spyware) may not always be as devastating as the headlines suggest, but can still slow down your systems dramatically, and passing them on to customers will win you no friends.
Fortunately, there is plenty of protection available. Your computers may have been sold with anti-virus software (the generic term, although most products also protect against other kinds of malware). If not, you can easily buy it.
This software regularly scans a computer in search of malware, deleting any that is found. Regular updates to head off new threats are key to anti-virus software. So this is one area where it does pay to stick to the big brand names and to ensure that the software is set to receive updates as regularly as possible (ideally daily).
Action: Install and run anti-virus software on all your devices regularly to check for any issues or threats.
Extend security beyond the office or dental practice
Today’s employees sometimes work from home or on the road between dental practice sites using their own laptops, phones and tablets. It is difficult to extend the same level of security you can apply to office computers to these devices.
But, you can reduce risk by requiring any personal equipment used for work is approved first by management or IT. It should have the minimum of anti-virus software, password protection and (where applicable) a firewall.
To protect against unauthorised access to information when a device is mislaid or stolen, it should be possible to delete all the information (“wipe” it), even when you don’t have the device.
This capability is built into newer models; software can also be bought to perform remote wiping, but this must be installed before the device is lost. Ensuring the sensitive data is kept in an encrypted area (see section 7) of the computer or device will stop most attempts to access data.
This is easy to set up using off-the-shelf software. Beware of the dangers when connecting to unencrypted public WIFI, as hackers can intercept data. Check the hotspot is genuine and make sure file sharing is off and the firewall is on.
Action: Conduct a review of all the devices your employees use to access or store patient data or dental records. Make sure they all have the proper anti-virus, firewall and data protection features.
Remember the disks and drives you need to protect in your dental practice
Removable disks and drives, such as DVDs and USB sticks, pose security risks in two ways. They can introduce malware into your computers, and they can be mislaid when containing sensitive information.
Ensure that as far as possible, only disks and drives owned by your dental practice are used with your computers. Discourage employees from using them in third parties’ computers (in Internet cafes for example), and set up anti-malware software to scan them whenever they are used in the office.
Action: Establish a plan to track who has possession of each disk or drive at any given time, what information is contained on them and check that all documents are erased from them after use.
Plan for the worst
Following the measures in this guide will help you protect against a major security breach. But no system is 100% secure, so it’s worth planning what you’d do if things went badly wrong. First, define what is ‘major’ for you. Something that puts a non-critical department of the business offline for a couple of hours probably isn’t. But something that prevents you serving customers, or performing vital functions such as payroll, will be.
Establish how you will know that there’s a problem. You shouldn’t have to wait for computers to go down; your firewall or anti-virus software, for example, may provide advance warning that something unusual is going on. Plan your next steps.
What help (perhaps a specialist computer company) should you call in? Do you need to contact key dental patients or suppliers to explain that there is a problem? Can some functions be continued using other computers, or pen and paper, while your systems are repaired?
Finally, ensure that it’s clear who is responsible for doing what in an emergency. Your plan can be laid out in a document, and delivered in training sessions. It may incorporate elements of your plans for other disasters, such as a fire on your premises, and cut-down versions can be applied to less damaging computer incidents.
Action: Create a strategy for how your dental practice will handle a major breach of patient data or dental records. Identify your biggest risks and create an emergency contingency plan.
Educate your dental team about cyber security for dentists
Tell everyone in the business why security matters, and how they can help, using training sessions and written policy documents. This will encourage them to follow practices such as regular password changes. Most will not have to actively work at security. They’ll simply need to be aware of risks. For example, knowing that they should never click on a web link or attachment in an email from an unfamiliar source.
There are non-technical risks, too. One is social engineering, where hackers try to trick employees into revealing technical details that make your computers vulnerable. For example, a hacker might pretend to work for your computer supplier and claim they need passwords to perform maintenance. The casual atmosphere of social media such as Facebook could be conducive to such deceptions, so employees should be especially wary of discussing your systems and practices on social media.
Action: Create a training session to educate your team on their responsibilities and duties regarding dental records and patient data. Deliver this programme regularly.
Keep records and test your dental practice’s cyber security regularly
Security is an ongoing process, not a one-off fix. So it’s important to keep clear records. For example, the decision-making in Step 1 of this guide could help you produce a list of all your hardware and software, along with an indication of how secure each item needs to be.
Similarly, records of software patches and lists of authorised personal devices will help build up a picture of your business’s security status, spot potential weak points, and figure out how any problems arose. Good record keeping will also help you regularly test all your security measures, and ensure that you have functioning, up-to-date software. Any business is only as secure as its weakest link, and testing will make sure that no weaknesses are overlooked.
Action: Create a cyber security strategy for your dental practice by following the steps listed here, creating a plan for each task and regularly testing your systems and strategies.
Check out our other articles, webinars and podcasts in the Samera Learning Centre
Essential Cyber Security Steps for Dentists FAQ
Why is cyber security important for dental practices?
Cyber security is crucial for dental practices because it protects sensitive patient information, including medical records and personal details, from cyber threats like data breaches and ransomware. With increasing regulations like GDPR, dental clinics must ensure they secure digital data to avoid hefty fines and maintain trust with patients. By implementing robust cyber security measures, such as encryption, secure passwords, and regular system updates, dental practices can prevent unauthorized access, safeguarding their reputation and ensuring compliance with legal obligations.
What are the common cyber threats faced by dental clinics?
Dental clinics face several common cyber threats, including:
- Phishing attacks – Fraudulent emails or messages designed to steal sensitive data.
- Ransomware – Malicious software that encrypts data, demanding payment for its release.
- Data breaches – Unauthorized access to patient records and personal information.
- Malware – Viruses or malicious software that can damage systems or steal data.
- Insider threats – Employees with access to sensitive data can unintentionally or deliberately cause security issues.
How can dental practices protect patient information?
Dental practices can protect patient information by implementing strong data encryption, using secure passwords, and regularly updating software to prevent vulnerabilities. They should also conduct frequent data backups and limit access to sensitive information, ensuring only authorized personnel can access it. Employee training on cyber security best practices, such as recognizing phishing attempts, is essential. Additionally, practices should use secure networks and firewalls to safeguard against external threats.
What steps can improve cyber security in a dental practice?
To improve cyber security in a dental practice, consider these steps:
- Use strong, unique passwords and multi-factor authentication.
- Regularly update software and systems to fix vulnerabilities.
- Install firewalls and antivirus software.
- Train staff to recognize phishing and other cyber threats.
- Encrypt sensitive patient data.
- Perform regular data backups.
- Limit access to patient information based on role-specific needs.
- Secure remote access with VPNs and encryption.
How often should dental clinics back up their data?
Dental clinics should back up their data daily to ensure minimal loss of patient information in case of a cyber-attack or system failure. Regular backups protect against ransomware and other threats by providing an up-to-date copy of critical data, allowing for quick recovery. Automated backups can also help ensure consistency and reduce human error, making them a reliable part of a clinic’s cyber security strategy.
What legal obligations do dental practices have for data protection?
Data Protection Obligations for Dental Practices: A Quick Guide
Dental practices handle sensitive patient data and must comply with strict data protection laws, such as GDPR (in the EU & UK) and HIPAA (in the U.S.). Here are the key legal obligations:
- Staff Training
- Awareness: Regularly train staff to handle patient data securely and comply with data protection regulations.
- Why It Matters: Compliance with data protection laws like GDPR and HIPAA protects both patients and your practice from hefty fines and reputational damage.
- GDPR Compliance (EU & UK)
- Lawful Processing: Ensure patient data is processed legally, based on consent, medical care, or legal obligation.
- Data Security: Implement strong security measures like encryption and access controls.
- Patient Rights: Patients can request access, correction, or deletion of their data.
- Breach Notification: Notify authorities and patients within 72 hours of a data breach.
- HIPAA Compliance (U.S.)
- Protect PHI: Safeguard patient health information through privacy and security measures.
- Breach Reporting: Notify affected patients and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) if a breach occurs.
- Data Breach & Third-Party Contracts
- Report Breaches: Notify regulatory bodies and patients promptly if a breach happens.
- Vendor Compliance: Ensure third-party providers follow data protection laws via contracts.
How can dentists prevent phishing attacks?
How Dentists Can Prevent Phishing Attacks
- Employee Training: Educate staff to recognize phishing emails and run phishing simulations.
- Email Security: Use strong spam filters and email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC).
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Require MFA for email and systems access.
- Verify Links: Always check URLs before clicking; avoid opening suspicious attachments.
- Update Software: Regularly update software and antivirus tools.
- Incident Response Plan: Have a procedure for reporting phishing attempts and responding to breaches.
What software is crucial for dental cyber security?
To protect sensitive patient data and maintain strong cybersecurity in a dental practice, these key types of software are essential:
- Antivirus & Anti-Malware Software
- Protects against viruses, malware, and ransomware that can compromise patient data.
- Firewall
- Monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic, blocking unauthorized access.
- Encryption Software
- Ensures sensitive patient information is encrypted both at rest and in transit, securing data even if it’s intercepted.
- Email Security Software
- Filters phishing emails and spam, preventing harmful links and attachments from reaching your inbox.
- Backup and Disaster Recovery Solutions
- Automatically backs up patient records and files, ensuring quick recovery in case of data breaches or system failures.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Tools
- Adds an extra layer of security for accessing practice management systems and emails.
- Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
- Monitors detect and respond to security threats in real time across your network.
By using these essential cybersecurity tools, dental practices can effectively protect patient data and prevent cyber threats.
- Monitors detect and respond to security threats in real time across your network.
Why is staff training necessary for cyber security?
- Human Error is a Major Risk: Many cyber attacks, such as phishing, exploit human errors like clicking malicious links. Training helps staff recognize and avoid these threats.
- First Line of Defense: Employees are often the first point of contact with potential cyber threats. Well-trained staff can prevent breaches before they happen by identifying suspicious emails or activity.
- Compliance with Regulations: Dental practices must comply with laws like GDPR or HIPAA, which require staff to follow strict data protection protocols. Training ensures employees understand these obligations.
- Minimizes Insider Threats: Cybersecurity training reduces the risk of both accidental and malicious insider threats, which can lead to data breaches.
- Keeps Security Practices Up to Date: Cyber threats evolve constantly. Regular training ensures staff stay informed about the latest risks and best practices for protecting patient data.
In short, staff training is vital for reducing vulnerabilities and maintaining a secure dental practice.
How can dental clinics secure remote work setups?
- Use VPNs (Virtual Private Networks): Ensure all staff connect to the clinic’s network through a VPN to encrypt data and protect against unauthorized access.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Require MFA for accessing practice management systems and email to add an extra layer of security.
- Data Encryption: Encrypt sensitive patient data both at rest and in transit to protect information if it’s intercepted during remote access.
- Secure Devices: Ensure that all devices used for remote work have up-to-date antivirus software, and firewalls, and are properly secured with strong passwords.
- Regular Software Updates: Keep operating systems, software, and security patches up to date to reduce vulnerabilities.
- Limit Access to Sensitive Data: Restrict access to sensitive patient information only to authorized personnel, and only on a need-to-know basis.
- Employee Training: Train staff on the importance of cybersecurity while working remotely, such as recognizing phishing attempts and securing home Wi-Fi.
- Backup and Recovery Solutions: Ensure regular backups of patient data, and have a disaster recovery plan in case of data breaches or system failures.
By following these steps, dental clinics can maintain data security while enabling remote work for their staff.
What are the consequences of a data breach in a dental clinic?
- Financial Penalties: Non-compliance with regulations like HIPAA (USA) or GDPR (EU/UK) can lead to hefty fines, ranging from thousands to millions, depending on the severity of the breach.
- Reputation Damage: A breach can erode patient trust, damaging the clinic’s reputation and leading to a loss of business.
- Legal Liability: Patients affected by the breach may file lawsuits for negligence, resulting in legal costs and compensation claims.
- Operational Disruption: Clinics may face downtime due to investigations or recovery efforts, which can halt business operations and reduce revenue.
- Regulatory Scrutiny: A breach often triggers audits and increased scrutiny from regulatory authorities, possibly resulting in more compliance checks and tighter restrictions.
- Patient Impact: Compromised sensitive information like health records or personal data can lead to identity theft, fraud, or other harm to the patients involved.
In summary, a data breach can lead to significant financial, legal, and reputational damage, affecting the clinic’s operations and patient relationships.
How can dental practices ensure GDPR compliance?
- Obtain Lawful Consent: Ensure that you have a valid legal basis for processing personal data, such as explicit patient consent, medical necessity, or legal obligations.
- Data Minimization: Collect only the data necessary for the purpose of patient care and avoid storing excessive or irrelevant information.
- Secure Data Handling: Implement strong security measures like encryption, firewalls, and regular data backups to protect patient information from unauthorized access or breaches.
- Appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO): If required, appoint a DPO to oversee data protection practices, ensure compliance, and handle any GDPR-related issues.
- Patient Rights: Provide patients with access to their data and the ability to correct, delete, or transfer their personal information. Have processes in place to respond to such requests promptly.
- Data Breach Response: Establish procedures to identify, report, and manage data breaches. Report any breaches to the relevant supervisory authority (such as the ICO in the UK) within 72 hours, if required.
- Third-Party Contracts: Ensure that any third-party service providers, such as IT vendors or labs, are also GDPR-compliant by having proper contracts and data processing agreements in place.
- Regular Staff Training: Train staff on GDPR regulations, data protection best practices, and how to handle sensitive patient data securely.
- Data Retention Policies: Set clear policies for how long patient data will be retained and ensure that unnecessary data is deleted securely once it’s no longer needed.
By following these steps, dental practices can stay compliant with GDPR, protecting both their patients’ data and their practice from potential penalties.
What should a dental clinic do after a cyber attack?
- Contain the Breach: Immediately isolate affected systems to prevent the attack from spreading. Disconnect compromised computers from the network and shut down unauthorised access points.
- Assess the Damage: Determine the scope of the attack, including what data was compromised (e.g., patient records, financial information) and how the breach occurred.
- Notify Authorities: Report the breach to the relevant regulatory bodies (e.g., ICO for GDPR in the UK, or HHS for HIPAA in the U.S.) within the required timeframe (usually within 72 hours).
- Notify Affected Patients: Inform patients whose data may have been compromised, providing them with details of the breach and any steps they can take to protect their information, such as monitoring for fraud or identity theft.
- Investigate the Breach: Conduct a thorough investigation to identify the root cause of the breach. Engage cybersecurity experts, if necessary, to determine how the attack happened and to prevent future occurrences.
- Enhance Security Measures: Patch vulnerabilities and update security protocols. This may include updating software, strengthening firewalls, implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA), or increasing encryption standards.
- Review Policies and Procedures: Reevaluate your clinic’s cybersecurity policies, data handling procedures, and staff training. Ensure that all employees are aware of the updated protocols to avoid future breaches.
- Backup and Restore Data: If possible, restore systems and data from secure backups. Ensure that the data is clean and unaffected by malware before reintegrating it into the system.
- Long-Term Monitoring: Implement continuous monitoring of your systems to detect any unusual activity or follow-up attacks. Regular audits and security assessments can help identify weaknesses early.
- Legal and PR Management: Consult with legal professionals to manage any potential legal ramifications. Additionally, consider public relations efforts to reassure patients and maintain trust after the incident.
By acting swiftly and comprehensively, dental clinics can minimize the impact of a cyber attack and strengthen their defenses against future threats.
What role does encryption play in securing dental data?
- Data Protection: Encryption transforms sensitive patient data (like health records, personal details, and payment information) into unreadable code, ensuring that unauthorized users cannot access or understand it if a breach occurs.
- Compliance with Regulations: Encryption helps dental practices comply with legal requirements like HIPAA and GDPR, which mandate the protection of patient data. Proper encryption reduces the likelihood of penalties in the event of a data breach.
- Data Security at Rest and in Transit: Encryption secures data both when it is stored (at rest) and when it is being transmitted (in transit), such as during patient record transfers between systems or communication with third-party service providers.
- Prevents Data Theft: Even if hackers gain access to a dental clinic’s system, encryption makes stolen data useless without the decryption keys, preventing criminals from exploiting it.
- Mitigates Risk of Insider Threats: Encryption ensures that only authorized personnel with the appropriate decryption keys can access sensitive information, reducing the risk of insider threats or accidental exposure of data.
- Safeguards Backups: Encrypted backups ensure that patient data remains protected even if the backup storage is compromised or stolen.
By utilizing encryption, dental practices significantly enhance the security of patient data and ensure compliance with data protection laws, reducing the risks of breaches and data theft.
How can dental clinics prevent ransomware attacks?
- Regular Data Backups: Frequently back up critical data and store it securely offline or in a cloud with strong encryption. Ensure backups are not directly connected to your network to prevent them from being compromised during an attack.
- Implement Strong Antivirus and Anti-Malware Software: Use reliable security software to detect and block ransomware before it can infect systems. Regularly update it to recognize new threats.
- Employee Training: Educate staff on recognizing phishing emails, suspicious links, and attachments, which are common entry points for ransomware. Regular training and phishing simulations help build awareness.
- Keep Systems and Software Updated: Ensure all systems, operating software, and applications are up to date with the latest security patches to close vulnerabilities that ransomware can exploit.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Implement MFA for accessing all systems and sensitive data, adding an additional layer of protection if login credentials are compromised.
- Network Segmentation: Divide your network into smaller, isolated sections so that if one part is infected, the ransomware cannot easily spread to the entire system.
- Email Filtering and Web Security: Use advanced email filters to block malicious attachments and links. Implement web filters to prevent users from accessing known harmful websites.
- Limit User Access: Grant system access only to those who need it, and restrict administrative privileges. This minimizes the number of users who can potentially install ransomware on the network.
- Monitor Network Activity: Set up monitoring systems to detect unusual network behavior, which could be an early indicator of a ransomware attack.
- Incident Response Plan: Create a comprehensive ransomware response plan, including steps for isolating infected systems, notifying authorities, and restoring data from backups.
By taking these preventive measures, dental clinics can significantly reduce their risk of falling victim to ransomware attacks and better protect sensitive patient data.
Our Expert Opinion
“Cyber security is hugely important for every business. It’s doubly important for healthcare businesses because they handle patient data as well as their own financial data. If I were to ask you what your cyber security protocol is and you can’t answer off the top of your head – your business is in danger. You can’t rely on a simple anti virus program. You can’t rely on a simple backup. You honestly really need to take cyber security seriously.
If the NHS can get hacked then a small dental practice certainly can! It’s not just about hackers either. We at Samera suffered data issues when a fire broke out at one of the servers we were using for backups in France. Since then we’ve used a triple back-up system to make sure it never happens again. Don’t take any risks with yours or your patient’s data. Sort your cyber security out as soon as possible – your business could very well depend on it!”
Chris O’Shea
Head of Digital Marketing
Get Started: Cyber Security for Healthcare
Cyber security is an essential part of keeping your patients, data and business protected online.
With Samera Cyber Security, you get the tools you need, the know-how to use them and digital copies of all your data. This three-pronged approach means you can keep your business safe and your data safe.
Contact us today to find out more about how our cyber security training, digital protection products and back-up contingencies can help you.
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Reviewed By:
Arun Mehra
Samera CEO
Arun, CEO of Samera, is an experienced accountant and dental practice owner. He specialises in accountancy, financial directorship, squat practices and practice management.
