Monday, December 16, 2019

(RE-)TRAIN TEAM MEMBERS ON THE DANGER OF CYBERATTACKS


In the busy pace of today's world, we are seldom without an electronic device somewhere on our person: in our hands, in a pocket or purse, or hanging on a belt. We have become so accustomed to dealing with business processes, communications, schedules, news, and social interactions on our computers, smart phones, or other devices that we often grow careless in protecting our office, home, and personal devices from cyberattacks. It is time to remind your team about the necessity of vigilance, and about updated methods of maintaining security.

Dental offices across the country have fallen prey to cybercrime by hackers and thieves determined to threaten, steal, sabotage, or completely destroy office computer systems. Two of the most common attacks are in the form of phishing and ransomware.

In a phishing expedition, a hacker sends an email, often created to resemble a trusted email source. The purpose is to trick the email recipient (your office) into providing account information or clicking on a link or opening an attachment that deploys ransomware. Ransomware is software that encrypts the target data in order to hold it hostage for ransom. The cybercriminal demands payment for decrypting and restoring the affected data, but often fails to do so once a ransom has been paid.

Where can a dentist get information and materials for training the team on cybercrime prevention? Where can you go for advice in case the office has been attacked?

Answer: The ADA Center for Professional Success provides resources to help dentists protect the office from hackers and cyberattacks and protect the practice from ransomware.

The Federal Trade Commission website contains information to help small business owners, including dentists, fight off phishing and ransomware attacks and advice about what to do if a business/dental practice is attacked.

Every dental office should have a locally based IT expert on whom to call in case of an emergency. Cybercriminals often put a deadline on payment of ransom or other demand so that a local resource to fight the attack immediately is often necessary.

Be sure to check out our Free Resources for Your Practice for additional insights, information, and practice management tips.

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