Storing data securely is the responsibility of veterinary business managers. With insurmountable pressure on clinical time, keeping abreast of updates to in-house servers may not be top of the priority list. Updates are vital for maintaining data security, however. There is also a physical threat to data stored internally – fire, theft, or malfunction. The cost of lost data is huge – in recovery and compensation.
Storing your data in the cloud can save time and improve security – here’s how.
What cloud storage can do
Cloud storage feels uneasy to some – invisible, a virtual reality. It is intuitive that actual reality is best – a visible lock and key. But the data we’re storing in the cloud is under vault-like defenses — invisible but effective.
Cloud storage providers employ teams of experts to monitor security threats and counteract them. What you experience is an automatically updated, easily accessed, efficient data storage system with good tech support. It provides an effective barrier to hacks, theft, and viruses.
If you’re working remotely avoid using public Wi-Fi. It’s possible to obtain a VPN to provide an extra barrier.
What you can do
Even if your practice data is cloud-stored, there are things you can do to help prevent breaches. Accept updates as soon as possible. Have strong passwords and replace them frequently. Keep passwords secure – don’t store them in a giant book on reception labelled ‘Practice Passwords’!
If you’re working remotely avoid using public Wi-Fi. It’s possible to obtain a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to provide an extra barrier.
What your staff can do
Security is a team effort – secure passwords, renewed and stored appropriately, should be practice-wide. Instill an ‘always log off’ policy, no matter how long you will be away from the screen. If you hear of suspicious emails, share this information, and regularly remind people to be wary of unexpected or unusual content.