Skip to content
Off the Cusp

Off the Cusp

Dental industry news, trends and information from Patterson Dental.

Menu
  • Home
  • Categories
    • Business of Dentistry
      • Dental Practice Marketing
      • Practice Finance
      • Practice Growth
    • Dental Industry News
      • Industry Events
    • Dental Practice Management
      • Human Resources
    • Dental Practice Safety
      • Infection Control
    • Future of Dentistry
      • Dental Equipment
      • Dental Technology
      • CAD/CAM
  • About
    • Off The Cusp Privacy Policy
    • Off The Cusp Terms of Use
  • pattersondental.com
  • Home
  • Dental Technology
  • Is Your Office a Target for a Data Breach?
Dental Practice Management Dental Technology

Is Your Office a Target for a Data Breach?

Steve WhiteSteve White Steve WhiteNovember 24, 2015November 19, 2015
HIPAA Breach Notification Rule - Off The Cusp - Patterson Dental Blog

Share

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn
Email
Read Time:2 Minute, 48 Second

Of the major threats that we see our customers presently facing, the most damaging of them is a breach of patient records. Unlike the cyber attacks that we read about regularly that center on elaborate, well-planned attacks perpetrated by a team of cyber criminals with an elite set of skills, what we are talking about is a common criminal breaking and entering your office, snatching the office server filled with your patients’ records and exiting long before the authorities arrive.

In fact, theft is the leading cause for major data breaches in the U.S. If you add together all the major data breaches caused by hacking, loss, unauthorized access/disclosure and improper disposal, it will not equal the number of major breaches caused by theft. Understand that theft is defined as theft of a piece of hardware.

When we were first made aware of these thefts, early this year, I assumed that the motivation was due solely to the value of the health records … I was wrong. The identity thieves seem more interested in valid Social Security numbers and corresponding date of birth as was reported on a “60 Minutes” segment first aired on September 21, 2014, and then again on June 28, 2015. To better understand the level of this issue I do recommend that you Google the “60 Minutes tax refund scam.” What we learned from this report was that dental is being called out as the low hanging fruit for identity thieves seeking to feed the very large and rapidly growing demand for valid Social Security numbers and corresponding date of birth.

The lack of data management in regards to data security in the average dental office combined with the thousands of valid Social Security numbers and date of birth on file has made dental offices a prime target by identity thieves.

As serious as a break-in at an office is, the real issue is the breach of protected health information (PHI) by removal from your office without being properly protected. This theft then falls under the HIPAA Breach Notification Rule and if more than 500 individuals’ records are impacted then it is a major breach. The rules governing a major breach and the actions required are clearly laid out on the hhs.gov website. I strongly suggest that if you have not already done so, you visit this site and fully familiarize yourself with the rules and your responsibility.

HIPAA Breach Notification Rule (hhs.gov)
HIPAA Breach Notification Rule (hhs.gov)

The good news is that there are a number of easy and affordable steps that can be taken to greatly reduce the risk of having your data physically stolen. In addition, steps can be taken technologically so that should there be a theft the data will be properly secured, making it a non-reportable event under present HIPAA rules.

To answer the opening question, yes, your office is a target for a data breach. To better understand your risks and the options available to reduce them, it is strongly suggested that you have a Data Security Assessment (a $199.99 value) done on your system. For Patterson Dental customers this assessment is being offered at no charge.

For more information or to schedule a Data Security Assessment, please write to assessment@ddsrescue.com or phone 800.998.9048, ext. 102.

Steve WhiteSteve White

About Post Author

Steve White

Steve has over thirty-five years of experience in the dental industry and extensive knowledge of product development, engineering and manufacturing disciplines. He is a nationally known lecturer in the fields of backup, disaster and recovery, ergonomics, office productivity, fatigue reduction, and sterility assurance.
http://www.ddsrescue.com/
Total
1
Shares
Share 1
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
Tagged compliance, data breach, data privacy, data security, DDS Rescue, HIPAA, hipaa breach notification rule, HIPAA compliance, Protected Health Information

Post navigation

Previous

Previous post:

New Patterson Technology FAQ Site Launched!

Next

Next post:

Glass Ionomer Luting Cements – Are There Reasons to Leave Your Standby?

Subscribe

* indicates required

Recent posts

  • Innovation In Dental 3D Printing: A Welcome Advancement
  • Plumbed Versus Portable Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Sedation: Which Is Best?
  • OnTarget Highlight: Preventing and Treating Peri-Implantitis
  • 3 ways to build stronger relationships with your patients
  • 7 tried-and-true tactics to curb revenue-crippling no-shows

Search Off the Cusp

Close
Menu
  • Home
  • Categories
    • Business of Dentistry
      • Dental Practice Marketing
      • Practice Finance
      • Practice Growth
    • Dental Industry News
      • Industry Events
    • Dental Practice Management
      • Human Resources
    • Dental Practice Safety
      • Infection Control
    • Future of Dentistry
      • Dental Equipment
      • Dental Technology
      • CAD/CAM
  • About
    • Off The Cusp Privacy Policy
    • Off The Cusp Terms of Use
  • pattersondental.com

Related Post

Innovation In Dental 3D Printing: A Welcome Advancement

January 25, 2023January 26, 2023

Plumbed Versus Portable Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Sedation: Which Is Best?

December 13, 2022January 25, 2023

3 ways to build stronger relationships with your patients

October 26, 2022October 26, 2022

7 tried-and-true tactics to curb revenue-crippling no-shows

October 25, 2022October 25, 2022

How to reduce cancellations and increase case acceptance with patient engagement

October 24, 2022October 24, 2022

3D printing: Added services, higher productivity, increased patient satisfaction

October 18, 2022October 18, 2022
Copyright Patterson Dental. All rights reserved.
 

Loading Comments...
 

You must be logged in to post a comment.