Why Dentists Need IT Security Management

Now, more than ever, dentists need to explore IT security management for their practices.

The theft of an unencrypted laptop that exposed the personal data of more than half a million Medicentre Family Health Care Clinic patients is one of the worst breaches that happened in Canada.

Millions of health care records in the U.S. and Canada have been compromised over the last few years, and over half of organizations that have experienced data breaches are smaller practices.

How do they gain access?  The most common ways are through stolen devices, such as tablets, mobile phones, and laptops, as well as through phishing attempts.

Unauthorized access is easier with smaller businesses that are less likely to have invested in comprehensive cybersecurity measures, and hackers are taking advantage.

Accidental Data Loss can be Devastating to a Small Dental Practice

Old software systems that are not properly maintained are partially at fault for the ease in which hackers can access private data.

Shockingly, many practices continue to ignore the importance of implementing an off-site backup system to protect their data from ransomware or catastrophic loss.

Data may not be lost to the black market, but patients will question your reliability.

The Amount of Data Dentists Monitor Can Be Significant

Dental offices of any size usually have hundreds, if not thousands, of patients.

Most patients are only seen a few times a year.

To be sure, the number of cavities a patient has is of little interest to hackers, but dental offices end up being responsible for vast amounts of personal data beyond tooth health.

So why do hackers attack?  Medical office’s will have basic personal information, such as addresses, phone numbers, social insurance numbers, and more to their clients.  

A dental office with only a basic security network will fail to prevent a data breach, resulting in a significant quantity of compromised information.

Technology has made managing a dental office much easier with the ability to track patients and provide excellent service.  But if there is no security measures in place the practice is still at risk!

However, every dental office should be aware of the risks that exist and how to manage those risks, which includes implementing a robust cybersecurity strategy as well as providing employee training.

Reis Informatica understands the cybersecurity issues facing Canada’s dental practices. Reis is committed to helping local dentists in Kitchener, Toronto, London, etc, develop proactive, cost-effective IT strategies that minimize risk and maximize efficiency.