Cybersecurity is an increasingly critical concern that affects every practice around the globe. The issues can be quite complicated, leaving even the most prepared doctors with serious misconceptions. Check out the 3 most common myths we hear about cybersecurity!
Myth #1: “You Can Protect Yourself”
Dental practices are prime targets for cybercriminals due to the abundance of patient data. Some dental professionals believe they can protect their IT network on their own, but it’s truly become a full-time job to keep up with increasingly complicated threats. We’ve now reached the threshold where mediocre prevention is no longer effective, and professional protection is necessary to ensure truly minimize risk. With the high stakes (hundreds of thousands in HIPAA penalties, devastating data loss, and loss of patient trust), it’s best to forgo the DIY route. The most successful modern practices now outsource IT security to trusted dental IT professionals, so they can focus on patients and business.
Myth #2: “My IT Partner Protects Us”
Having an IT partner is a great start to keeping your practice’s data safe, but are you aware of how they protect you? Most dental professionals assume their IT partner protects them from all breaches and vulnerabilities, but this isn’t usually the case. Cybersecurity protection requires more than standard updates and data backups; it requires proactive and robust safeguards against the latest threats. When partnering with an IT company, play an active role in understanding what measures they take, and ask about the gaps that your practice could potentially have even with their service. If your IT partner cannot provide immediate answers, have a third party assess your current risks. We offer a complimentary Cybersecurity Risk Assessment to help you determine your current vulnerabilities.
Myth #3: “It Won’t Happen to You”
There is no such thing as perfect security. Even with a great protection system in place, human error often allows hackers to succeed. A combination of proactive IT protections and annual staff training is your best bet when it comes to protecting your practice. Lastly, we urge you to learn about your existing vulnerabilities before they are exploited.
If you’d like assistance with identifying and/or eliminating vulnerabilities in your practice, we are happy to help. Take advantage of our Cybersecurity Assessment, or contact us to understand the threats targeted towards your practice.
Posted in Tech News
