Throughout October, we’re bringing you a five-part series dedicated to helping dental offices protect themselves from the growing threat of cyberattacks. From understanding the risks to implementing cybersecurity best practices and exploring the vital role of cyber insurance, each blog is designed to provide actionable insights tailored to dental practices. Cybersecurity is essential for safeguarding your practice, your patients and your reputation.
What to Do If a Cyberattack Happens at Your Dental Practice
Attacks can still occur despite all efforts to protect your dental practice from cyber threats. If your office falls victim to a cyberattack, it’s essential to act swiftly and follow the proper steps to minimize the damage and protect your patients and practice. Here’s a guide on what to do if a cyberattack hits your practice.
1. Contact Your Cyber Insurance Carrier (or Office Insurance Provider)
Your first step should be to contact your cyber insurance carrier. If you don’t have a dedicated cyber policy, reach out to your general office insurance provider, as they may offer some level of cyber coverage. Promptly reporting the incident will give you access to resources, including experts, to help mitigate the damage, assist with legal obligations and guide you through recovery.
2. Call Your IT Provider
Immediately after notifying your insurance provider, contact your IT provider to inform them of the breach. It’s crucial that your IT team understands the rules and regulations outlined by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regarding data breaches in dental offices. They must avoid making any changes to your system that could compromise a forensic investigation.
3. Do Not Unplug or Reinstall Software
Although trying to fix the problem immediately is tempting, do not unplug your systems or reinstall software. A forensic investigation is essential for identifying how the breach occurred and determining the scope of the attack. Preserving the integrity of your system is crucial for both the investigation and compliance with HIPAA regulations. Forensic experts, often covered under cyber insurance policies, will analyze the attack to ensure you address vulnerabilities and maintain compliance.
4. Notify Affected Patients
Under HIPAA, you are legally required to notify patients whose personal information may have been compromised. This notification must include details about the breach, the information that was exposed and steps patients can take to protect themselves. Your cyber insurance policy may help cover the cost of patient notification and public relations efforts, ensuring communication is handled professionally and efficiently.
5. Report the Attack to Law Enforcement and Regulatory Agencies
Once the attack is confirmed, it’s essential to report the breach to:
- Local Law Enforcement: File a police report to officially document the incident.
- Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI): Contact the FBI’s Cyber Crime division, particularly in cases involving ransomware or large-scale breaches.
- HIPAA & State Agencies: You must notify the Office for Civil Rights, which oversees HIPAA compliance. Depending on the size and scope of the breach, you may also need to inform state regulatory agencies. Each state has different regulations regarding data breaches, so timely reporting is crucial to avoid penalties.
6. Negotiating with Hackers in Ransom Situations: If you are dealing with ransomware, where hackers have encrypted your data and are demanding a ransom for the decryption key, proceed with caution. Contact your insurance provider immediately — they often have teams to help with ransom negotiations. If you do not have coverage, we recommend hiring an IT firm specializing in cyber security to negotiate on your behalf.
Closing the Series: Protecting Your Practice for the Future
This concludes our Cyber Awareness Month blog series, which has explored the evolving threat of cyberattacks, how to protect your dental practice, and the importance of cyber insurance. Each blog has highlighted that while cybersecurity measures are crucial, having the right insurance coverage is your safety net when preventive efforts fall short.
Being prepared for a cyberattack means having the technical defenses and the financial protection to safeguard your practice. Ensure your policies provide adequate coverage, your staff is well-trained and your practice is equipped to handle the unexpected. With the proper planning, you can protect your patients, your reputation and your practice’s future.
As Cyber Awareness Month ends, remember that protecting your practice from cyber threats is ongoing. Review your cybersecurity measures regularly, and ensure you have the right coverage in place to mitigate potential risks.
To learn more about cyber liability insurance to help protect your practice call or text Florida Dental Association (FDA) Services Inc. at 850.681.2996 or visit FDA Services, Inc. (coalitioninc.com) for an instant quote.
Beyond the Bite 