Thirty or more years ago, a criminal would have had to physically broken into your practice to steal precious data, now just a few taps on a keyboard can gain them full access. So you’ll be forgiven in questioning the data security within cloud technology.
Online storage and data safety concerns
With many aspects of a business being stored online and in the cloud, it’s increasingly important that you have protection in place to safeguard your patient’s data, your employee’s data, and your practice data.
It’s normal to be concerned about the security of your practice when everything is held in a digital capacity, especially when you take into consideration the advancement in Cyber crime activity.
Cloud technology is often seen as one of the more secure and robust IT systems to work with, but it doesn’t come without a few uncertainties.
The pros and cons to cloud technology:
Pros:
- Flexibility: The cloud can be used across a range of devices, and all you need is an internet connection – preventing time and location constraints.
- Data control: You can assign data permissions, giving you control over who has access to what data.
- Saves money: For a small to medium practice, cloud storage can come at very little cost, reducing the need for physical storage space.
- Room for growth: Pay for the storage you need. Should your practice grow you can upgrade your cloud technology, likewise if you want to downsize your practice, you can save money by opting for less digital space.
Cons:
- Data security and privacy: Valuable data and practice information is being stored digitally, giving you less control over how secure your information is. When implementing cloud technology, make sure you choose a reliable service provider you can trust to keep all your data safe.
- Internet limitations: Ensure you have unlimited internet usage. Some internet providers cap the amount of bandwidth you can use, so when setting up your internet connection, choose a provider that won’t limit your access to the cloud.
- Cyber attack risks: Cyber criminals are evolving and therefore, so is the way in which they will try to access your data. Make sure you have processes in place to prevent attacks and cover in place in case one does happen.
What happens if it goes wrong?
You need the right insurance cover and security processes in place to help you manage damage control in the event of a worst case scenario. Your employees need to know how to prevent a data breach, and what actions to take in the event of one.
Read more: Examples of some precautions you can take in your practice.
It’s vital you have the right cover in place should you unexpectedly need it
At All Med Pro, we can help you formulate your technology strategy and ensure your security policies are up to date, as well as help you plan financially for using cloud storage. We’ll make sure you have the right Cyber & medical technology insurance in place as you set off on your digital journey.