Veterinary practices maintain sensitive client information, including financial details, such as credit card information and Social Security numbers, that need to be protected from unauthorized access. Unfortunately, approximately 11,000 veterinary practices in the United States experience a cyber attack annually.
Effective data privacy best practices can help veterinary practice owners protect client information from cyber security attacks. Veterinarians can follow the best practices discussed below to protect client information.
Understand State Data Protection Laws
Data privacy laws govern how businesses handle data electronically and what they must do to protect sensitive data. Veterinary practices must adhere to data privacy laws. For example, HIPAA, a federal law, requires veterinary practices to safeguard the animal owner’s name, address, and other private information.
Some states have additional data protection laws. California only allows sharing veterinary medical records with third parties for diagnosis or treatment purposes. Working with an experienced attorney can help you ensure your veterinary practice complies with all applicable state and federal data security laws.
Train Staff Members about Cybersecurity Threats
Training staff about cybersecurity threats is crucial to protecting client information in your veterinary practice. The first step is to train your staff members on the basics of cybersecurity, including common threats such as phishing attacks, malware, and social engineering.
Using real-life examples relevant to your veterinary practice to illustrate potential risks can help your staff members quickly identify potential future threats. Provide clear guidelines on recognizing suspicious emails or activities. Emphasize the importance of strong password and data encryption practices.
Encourage staff to ask questions and ensure they know how to report any cyber security concerns or experiences. Many veterinary practices reinforce data security training with interactive methods like simulations or quizzes. Finally, ensure everyone understands their role in protecting sensitive client data. Regularly updating staff training materials to reflect current cybersecurity trends will help your staff members stay prepared.
Back-Up Your Veterinary Practice’s Data
Backing up your veterinary practice’s data protects sensitive client information during a cyberattack or data loss. Using a robust backup system and scheduling regular backups of all critical data, including client records, treatment histories, and financial information, is crucial.
Using local and cloud storage solutions creates redundancy, protecting against hardware failures and electricity loss. It is essential to regularly check your backup data to confirm it can be restored quickly and accurately when needed. Also, consider encrypting backup data to prevent unauthorized access. Educating your staff on the importance of data backup can foster a culture of data protection.
Implement a Cyber Security Incident Response Plan
Unfortunately, cyber security attacks on veterinary practice data can occur, even with safeguards in place. Creating a cyber security incident response plan for your veterinary practice can help you respond in a way that protects your veterinary practice. Engaging in risk assessment can help you identify vulnerabilities and begin outlining procedures for detecting, reporting, and responding to cybersecurity incidents. Staff members should receive training to help all staff understand their roles. A well-structured incident response plan can significantly mitigate the impact of cyber threats and protect sensitive client information.
Contact a Skilled Veterinary Attorney Today
At Mahan Law – Veterinary Law Firm, we recognize veterinary practices’ unique data security challenges. Our proactive approach assists you in implementing best practices for data management, such as password policies, encryption techniques, and cloud storage options. We focus on disaster recovery planning, ensuring your practice is ready for unexpected events. Don’t hesitate to contact Mahan Law – Veterinary Law Firm to schedule a free case evaluation.