As a dental practice owner, you must know the importance of keeping critical patient data safe and secure. There are specific rules in place, such as HIPAA, which provides comprehensive guidelines to dentists on how to keep their practice safe.

Unfortunately, data breaches have become quite common, and outdated software is one of the major causes of such incidents. Software updates are essential for the safety and security of our core IT infrastructure.

Delaying them for no legitimate reason can expose critical data and allow hackers to access sensitive information, especially in dental care environments. Therefore, you should regularly update your software and work with an external dental IT services provider to ensure all your systems are up to date.

Let’s take a look at some reasons why software updates for dental practices in Texas are essential.

Malware Is a Real Risk

Not updating your software regularly can expose you to malware. As a dental practice owner, you should ensure your core IT infrastructure and security systems don’t have any loopholes that can be exposed to hackers and perpetrators. If they smell a sniff of a weak spot, they’ll do their best to exploit it and gain access to critical data.

Regular software updates and working with external IT specialists can come in really handy because these experts can identify vulnerabilities in your existing software and systems and recommend solutions to correct them. Don’t click on the delay button when the system prompts you for a software update because it can be detrimental to the IT health of your dental practice. Get regular software updates for dental practices in Texas to ensure the smooth functioning of your business.

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Data Breaches

The HIPAA Act of 1996 requires dental practices to adopt robust IT practices that ensure data security and integrity. As an owner, you should undertake every measure to ensure that critical patient data doesn’t get into the wrong hands.

Not updating your software regularly can lead to a data breach, and you can be a target of ransomware. This will have financial, operational, and reputational consequences on your practice.

Patients will be reluctant to visit your practice because they feel their critical data, such as personally identifiable information and credit/debit card data, is unsafe. Therefore, regularly update your software to mitigate the risk of ransomware and external data breaches.

We understand it can be difficult for dental practitioners to focus on their IT infrastructure when they’re busy treating patients. Also, it is quite likely that they don’t have the necessary IT acumen to protect their technological infrastructure. Therefore, it is always recommended to work with an expert dental IT specialist who can help you with all your IT needs.

Get Managed IT Services for Dentists

If you’re looking for an expert IT consultant who understands the unique requirements of your business and can help with all your software updates, check out Foris IT Management. We are one of the best when it comes to providing holistic IT services and software updates for dental practices in Texas.

Our company can provide you with robust managed IT services and suggest ways to mitigate the vulnerabilities within your system. You can visit our website to learn more about our products and services or get in touch with us for further details.