Ransomware in Dental Practices: The Top 6 Mistakes


March 12, 2024
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Anne Genge

Anne is a Certified Information Privacy Professional with the IAPP, holds a Certificate in AI & Law from Queens University, and has multiple certifications in healthcare cybersecurity.

In the past twenty years cybersecurity has changed immensely. It has led me to a profound fascination and understanding of ransomware, a malicious software that encrypts your data, holding it hostage until a ransom is paid.

More recently, it has evolved to not only encrypt data but also steal it, threatening to release sensitive information unless further demands are met. Through the study of healthcare practice ransomware cases, I’ve found six critical areas that are common. Astonishingly, most practices are guilty of several, if not all, of these blind spots.

Today, I’m here to share these insights with you. Drawing from my extensive experience, I’ve identified the six pivotal mistakes that dental practices and their IT teams frequently make, leaving them exposed to the devastating impact of ransomware.

But, here’s the silver lining: by addressing these areas, your practice stands a strong chance of not only preventing a ransomware attack but also surviving one should it occur.

Understanding the Gravity of Ransomware Threats

Ransomware isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a significant risk that’s been increasingly targeting the healthcare sector, including dental practices. Despite efforts to educate and implement preventive measures, many practices find themselves vulnerable to attacks due to common oversights and misconceptions.

The Six Oversights Compromising Dental Practices

  1. Overreliance on IT Personnel: A common misconception is that cybersecurity is solely the IT department’s responsibility. This belief often leads to a false sense of security, overlooking the need for comprehensive security measures and staff training on data protection.
  2. Neglecting Cybersecurity Risk Assessments: Surprisingly, a vast majority of dental practices have not conducted a formal cybersecurity risk assessment. This critical step identifies vulnerabilities, yet it’s frequently overlooked, leaving practices exposed to potential breaches.
  3. Lack of Cybersecurity Awareness Training: Human error remains a leading cause of security breaches. (IBM 88% of breaches due to human error) Despite this, many practices have yet to implement regular cybersecurity awareness training for their staff, leaving their human firewall weak against social engineering and phishing attacks.
  4. Failure to Update Systems and Applications: Keeping software up to date is fundamental to security, yet many practices fail to prioritize this. Outdated systems are prime targets for ransomware attacks, making regular updates essential for closing security gaps.
  5. Choosing Inadequate Antivirus Solutions: Relying on basic or outdated antivirus software is insufficient against sophisticated cyber threats. Practices need advanced intrusion prevention and detection systems, monitored and updated to defend against evolving ransomware tactics.
  6. Ineffective Backup and Disaster Recovery Plans: An untested backup system is as risky as having no backup at all. Comprehensive, regularly tested backup and disaster recovery plans are crucial for ensuring data integrity and continuity in the event of an attack.

The Perils of Paying the Ransom

Opting to pay the ransom is a risky and costly strategy that doesn’t guarantee the full recovery of lost data. It’s a temporary solution that fails to address underlying security weaknesses, leaving practices vulnerable to future attacks.

Moving Forward: Implementing a Robust Cybersecurity Strategy

The first step towards safeguarding your practice is conducting a thorough cybersecurity risk assessment. This process will highlight vulnerabilities and guide the development of a comprehensive security plan.

The next big win to increase your security posture is easy and affordable. By simply training your teams to understand phishing, social engineering, and common online scams, you increase your chances of preventing a successful cyber-attack.

Consider a managed cybersecurity service. Certified professionals using cutting edge technology will protect your practice and work together with your IT company to ensure things are safe and running smoothly.

Assume you will need your backup at some point so test it. I hear so many cases where dentists tried to recover from backups only to find they were corrupt, missing data, or were misconfigured. Investigate backup solutions that also provide business continuity.

Disasters happen. Have a written disaster plan that addresses all of the different scenarios. The main ones are ransomware, server crashes, power outage, internet outage, fire, theft, and flood.
Remember, effective cybersecurity is not dependent on the size of your practice but on the robustness of your defenses.

You Are Not Alone

Navigating the complexities of cybersecurity can be daunting, but you don’t have to face it alone. As a dedicated cybersecurity professional, I’m here to support and guide you through developing and implementing strategies to protect your practice and patient data.

For further assistance and to stay updated on the latest in cybersecurity, I encourage you to reach out and follow our social media channels and sign up for myla™ moments to receive regular alerts and training straight to your inbox.

Together, we can combat the threat of ransomware and ensure the safety of your practice.

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