Ransomware attacks are among the most common ways cybercriminals coordinate attacks designed to obtain patient data. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, ransomware attacks more than doubled between 2020 and 2021 – from 158 in 2020 to 321 in 2021 – victimizing over 41 million individuals.

Maintaining modern technology's demands and changing customer habits is tough. When it comes to IT, many dental practices have been left behind, constrained by the limitations of their in-house technology expertise and tight budgets. However, adopting newer, more efficient technologies streamline internal processes and improves cost control.

Nothing lasts forever. Technology is at the forefront of an ever-evolving world, and with that comes innovation. Therefore, manufacturers must evolve as well. Updates, storage, features, and more play a role in a manufacturer creating new products and sunsetting older versions.

Over 60% of data breaches can be traced to weak credentials. Employees reuse passwords or create ones that are easy to remember. Many employees add a number to their passwords and increment them each time they are forced to make a password change. These practices make it easy for hackers to gain access to a network.

As a small- to medium-sized business (SMB) owner, keeping your dental clinic’s valuable data safe should be a priority. Cybercriminals often target SMBs and healthcare organizations because compared to larger corporations, these entities often lack the technology and manpower to run an efficient cybersecurity system, making them easier to infiltrate.

Keeping Your Network Secure 
Modern dental practices are ever evolving and with that comes the dependence on IT systems. Practice management software - such as Dentrix, Eaglesoft, or Practiceworks – streamline processes and are a hub of vital patient information.

Cybercriminals have many opportunities to intercept confidential data. But if your data is encrypted, it’s much more difficult for your data to be compromised – should a cybercriminal succeed in getting their hands on it.

As with any other healthcare provider, dental practices must comply with HIPAA and HITECH legislation – requiring that all communications be encrypted.

Password Security 
What do you think when you hear the term “cybersecurity?” Do things like anti-virus, anti-malware, and firewalls come to mind? These are crucial factors in an appropriate, layered security plan. However, every practice needs another aspect of security that costs very little but can make a big difference - a password policy.

Most practice owners and office managers are working to improve their cybersecurity posture to prevent the same attacks and breaches that have made headlines in the past several years. They are updating their firewalls, looking into antivirus and antimalware tools, and performing penetration tests to uncover any weakness in their practice network.

In a digitally evolving world, it’s imperative that you have a cybersecurity plan in place. No matter what size your dental practice is, or what industry you serve, digital security is a must. Having a regularly scheduled cybersecurity audit and assessment for your practice is important.