Bryan Currier, President

As our dependence on IT systems in dental practices has grown, so has the importance of safeguarding those systems.  It has also made those systems a target for malicious use. 

This guide is NOT a replacement for a full IT security audit.  That should be done by a qualified IT firm that understands dental practices and government regulations such as HIPAA, HITECH, and PCI.  This will, however, help you start thinking about some things that you need to consider.

1. Data Loss Prevention

Dental healthcare providers need to have a data loss prevention system in place; it is required by HIPPA and PCI standards. If you ever need to demonstrate compliance you will want to be able to show them that your data is being backed up.  It's also nice to know that you're data is available in case of disaster.

2. Current Security Software

Every server and workstation should have current business class security software installed and running (anti-virus and anti-malware). It should be current, configured properly, and be proactively scanning your systems at appropriate times. Also, you should have a technology use policy in place for your employees so they aren't using sites that could expose the network to harmful viruses and malware.

3. Secure Remote Access

Accessing your patient information remotely through third-party software can be convenient. However, it's important that you use an encrypted connection. Here's a good rule of thumb - if it's free, it's not encrypted. Get a real business class remote access system that is encrypted and safe. It's not expensive, it works faster, better, and is safe for you and your data.

4. Use Business Class E-Mail

If your work e-mail ends in Gmail, AOL, Yahoo, etc, then it is not secure and should never be used for patient information. You should have your own domain name (yourpractice.com) for business email communications. If you're going to send Protected Health Information (PHI) via e-mail, then you MUST use a secure e-mail system (like SecureDDS).  No exceptions. Without it, your potential for exposure and fines because of data breaches exponentially increases.

5. Business Class Firewall

Your internet connection is the gateway to your network. The firewall you have in place is specifically designed to prevent anyone from the outside being able to gain access. This is a bit more technical, but the idea is that you don't want to give people an 'open door' to your network.

Calendar of Scheduled Webinars

Thursday, October 9th - 6:00 pm MT

How the Death of XP Will Save Your Practice, with Dr. Lorne Lavine

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Thursday, October 16th - 6:00 pm MT

Ten Reasons Why the Cloud Makes Sense for Your Practice

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Tuesday, October 21st - 6:00 pm MT

IT Security for Dental Practices: How to Protect Your Digital DNA, with Bryan Currier

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Thursday, October 23rd - 6:00 pm MT

Digital Imaging on the Cloud: Live!

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Tuesday, October 28th - 6:00 pm MT

Doomsday Dentistry: How Survive Wind, Fire, and Theft with the Cloud

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Thursday, October 30th - 6:00 pm MT

The 6 Biggest Challenges to HIPAA Security Rules Compliance... And How You Can Beat Them, with Dr. Lorne Lavine

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Curve Dental is a definitely a leader when it comes to the cloud. So we do get our share of darts and arrows from mean people who don't want to see us succeed. In response, I'm presenting the top ten silly things mean people say about the cloud.

The eighth one: The Cloud is Unproven

More lies, right?

Here's a fact: Cloud-based dental software has not been around as long as fossil-fuel software. Somehow, that fact is twisted into an unsubstantiated claim that "newer" must mean "danger". This knee-jerk reaction is as old as history itself. During the dark ages any newer invention was dubbed witchcraft and somebody got burned. Surely we've evolved over the years, haven't we?

According to Gartner, the guys who do a bunch of research on all kinds of stuff, sales for cloud-based software exceeded $14.8 billion in 2012. That's a lot of money being spent on software on the cloud. If it was unproven, do you think the number would be so high? Not a chance.

The assertion that the cloud is unproven disappears under the weight of 15 billion dollars. It's another prime example of fear, doubt, and uncertainty easily spread by those who have the most to lose.

You can learn more about how easy it is to move the cloud--or moving off the cloud-- by calling and chatting with one of our dental software consultants at 888-910-4376. Call today to learn more or visit our website.

Did you hear about the dentist who planted a garden? A month later she was picking her teeth!

In the last ten years children show the greatest decline in tooth decay although all age groups have enjoyed a decline of one degree or another.