Cybercriminals are targeting the dentistry profession, particularly independent clinics that lack a big in-house IT team to stay up with the newest cybersecurity best practices on dental software.
In addition to losing business-critical data and sensitive patient information, you will be liable for any penalties if you breach HIPAA standards. Not to mention the costs of forensic investigations, data recovery, and providing credit monitoring to impacted patients.
Data Security Tips for Your Dental Practice
Hackers use tactics to penetrate dentistry clinics, so you must cover all areas.
1. HIPAA-compliant version of Windows
Ensure that you are utilizing a HIPAA-compliant version of Windows. A robust dental software will support Windows 7, 8, 8.1, and 10. For servers, it will support Windows 2012, 2012 R2, and 2016.
2. Perform a risk assessment
HIPAA requires that all practices do a risk assessment to detect flaws in policies, processes, and technology (e.g. Dental practice management software). A risk assessment provides in-depth insight into your system’s security and “weak links,” allowing you to focus your resources on strengthening particular areas while remaining HIPAA compliant.
3. To access the cloud and DentiMax, use strong passwords.
Never utilize obvious information such as street addresses, birthdays, anniversaries, or phone numbers. Make sure your password is not readily available to the general public. Furthermore, office managers and dental staff members who use DentiMax should always use their unique passwords. Change it every 60 to 90 days.
4. Provide Employee Education
Many violations arise as a result of carelessness. Patients email PHI and payment information, such as staff clicking on harmful
As a result, you should develop a thorough IT security strategy and teach your employees to follow the most recent cybersecurity procedures to avoid human mistakes that might lead to data breaches.
5. Important papers to your daily operations
Be cautious if you use an on-premise server, back up your data to an external device. If a catastrophic computer breakdown or data breach occurs, backing up your data to the same disc where you already saved data would not help you. If you use any cloud-based dental software, your patient data will be automatically backed up, with no further steps required.
6. Strengthen Endpoint Security
Install security measures to prevent hackers from infiltrating your network using devices used by your personnel to access your system. Laptop and desktop computers, as well as mobile devices like smartphones and smartphones, fall under this category.
Install antivirus and firewall software on all devices. If you enable workers to access your network using their equipment (for example, when working from home or on the road), adopt a BYOD (bring your device) policy and give the IT assistance needed to protect the devices.
7. Restrict your employees’ access to install new software
You may unintentionally install viruses and malware on your computer when you download software. Limiting the user’s ability to install software can help prevent malware from being downloaded accidentally.
8. Make use of a cloud-based dental software platform
Most dental offices lack the IT personnel and funds to keep their on-premise dental practice management software up to date with the most current cybersecurity standards. Moving sensitive data from an on-premise solution to a cloud-based program developed on trustworthy platforms like Google, Amazon, or Microsoft is the best safeguard for sensitive data.
The Bottom Line
All sensitive data, whether in storage or transit, should always be encrypted. Especially crucial if your employees use smartphones and tablets, which are more likely to be lost or stolen. Many devices include encryption capabilities like Filevault on Mac. Email is readily hacked and should not be used to send critical information.