Cybersecurity threats have plagued the dental industry for years, especially since COVID hit. A ransomware infection could permanently wipe out your data, cause days or weeks of downtime, and open you to hefty HIPAA fines and penalties.
The problem is pervasive; statistics show that around two-thirds of all organizations worldwide have suffered from ransomware attacks, the dental care industry being a significant target. But what exactly makes dental practices so desirable to cyber attackers?
First off, a typical dental record contains information like the patient's name, ID, date of birth, address, phone number, credit card information, and social security number.
Unsurprisingly, such records are some of the most sought-after assets in the black market - they have precisely the information identity thieves need to do their thing.
Secondly, dental practices often don't have the resources a hospital or health organization would have to protect their information. For example, genuinely efficient Firewall software might be too expensive for a small practice to afford.
Finally, many dental practices also are missing the mark regarding cybersecurity by not establishing proper security protocols concerning malware, not backing up their data constantly, and using outdated software.
After reading this, if you think your practice could be vulnerable to ransomware attacks, don't miss this week's episode of 'The Raving Patient's Podcast'!
Lorne Lavine, founder and president of 'The Digital Dentist,' joins me to discuss his three-pronged approach to cybersecurity: what can you do to keep the bad guys out, how do you deal with them if they get in, and finally, how to recover your data when all else fails.
Tune in to learn how you can best evaluate your practice's defenses and ensure that your IT company follows best practices to help you.
Find out more about The Digital Dentist at: https://www.thedigitaldentist.com
This podcast is sponsored by Cloud Dentistry, the largest dental talent marketplace. Find out more at: http://www.clouddentistry.com/Len
