Your dental practice’s network connects many of the systems your team relies on every day.
Patient records, practice management software, digital imaging, workstations, printers and other connected devices may all depend on the same IT infrastructure.
That makes network security an important part of protecting patient information.
But what does HIPAA actually require from your dental practice’s network?
The answer isn’t simply “install a firewall.”
HIPAA requires covered entities to implement appropriate safeguards to protect electronic protected health information (ePHI). The technology and controls used should be appropriate to the risks facing the practice.
That’s where a strong dental IT support strategy becomes important.
HIPAA and Your Dental Practice Network
Dental practices that handle protected health information need safeguards to protect that information from unauthorized access, use or disclosure.
Your network is one part of that overall security environment.
A secure dental network should be designed around the practice’s actual systems, users, devices and risks.
This can include technical safeguards such as:
- Access controls
- User authentication
- Network security
- Firewall protection
- Encryption where appropriate
- Monitoring and logging
- Secure remote access
- Backup and recovery controls
HIPAA does not prescribe one specific network design or one specific technology.
Instead, practices need to assess their risks and implement appropriate safeguards.
1. Control Who Can Access Your Systems
Not every member of your dental team needs access to every system or piece of information.
User access should be based on job responsibilities.
For example, the access requirements of a front-desk employee may be different from those of a practice administrator.
Good access controls can help reduce the risk of unauthorized access to patient information.
Your dental IT support company should be able to help manage user accounts, permissions and access when employees join, change roles or leave the practice.
2. Protect the Network With Appropriate Security Controls
A firewall is an important part of many dental network security strategies, but it shouldn’t be treated as the entire security solution.
Your practice may also need endpoint protection, secure configurations, network segmentation, monitoring and other controls based on its environment and risk assessment.
For example, a practice using Open Dental still needs an appropriately secured network around the system.
Related resource: Using Open Dental? Why a Firewall Still Matters
3. Keep Systems and Devices Updated
Outdated software and unsupported systems can create security and reliability problems.
Your dental office may have:
- Desktop computers
- Laptops
- Servers
- Imaging systems
- Network equipment
- Printers
- Other connected devices
Keeping these systems updated and properly managed is an important part of maintaining a secure IT environment.
This is where proactive dental IT services can make a difference.
4. Secure Remote Access
Remote access can be useful for dental practices, especially when staff or IT providers need to access systems outside the office.
But remote access needs to be properly secured.
Your IT team should consider:
- Who can access systems remotely
- How users authenticate
- What systems they can access
- How remote sessions are secured
- Whether remote access is still required
Unused or poorly secured remote access can create unnecessary risk.
5. Protect Your Backups
Network security isn’t only about preventing an incident.
Your practice also needs to be prepared to recover if something goes wrong.
Reliable backups can help protect against situations such as:
- Hardware failure
- Ransomware
- Accidental deletion
- System corruption
- Other disruptions
Backups should be monitored and tested so your practice knows whether its data can actually be restored.
Related resource: Why Every Dental Practice Needs a Disaster Recovery Plan
6. Monitor Your Environment
Security problems aren’t always obvious.
Monitoring can help identify unusual activity, system issues and potential security problems earlier.
For a dental practice, proactive monitoring can also help identify technology problems before they turn into interruptions during patient hours.
Tier3MD’s dental IT services include network monitoring and proactive management designed to help keep dental systems reliable and secure.
7. Don’t Forget the Devices Connected to Your Network
Your dental network is more than computers.
Modern practices can have digital X-ray systems, intraoral cameras, scanners, printers and other connected equipment.
Every connected device should be considered when assessing your network security.
Your dental IT solutions should account for the full technology environment rather than protecting only the computers at the front desk.
HIPAA Compliance Is More Than Your Network
It’s important to remember that your network is only one part of HIPAA compliance.
A dental practice’s overall compliance program can also involve:
- Risk assessments
- Policies and procedures
- Workforce training
- Physical safeguards
- Technical safeguards
- Access management
- Incident response
- Contingency planning
- Documentation
Your IT provider can support the technical side, but HIPAA compliance is a broader responsibility for the practice.
Why Dental IT Support Matters
A dental practice doesn’t need a generic network solution.
Your IT environment needs to support practice management software, imaging systems, patient records and the day-to-day workflow of your team.
Tier3MD provides managed IT services for dental offices, including network monitoring, cybersecurity, practice management software support, digital imaging support and HIPAA-focused IT services.
With the right dental IT consulting, practices can also identify technology risks and plan improvements before they become urgent.
Is Your Dental Network Properly Protected?
HIPAA doesn’t mean simply buying a firewall and checking a box.
Your practice needs an IT environment designed around its systems, users, data and risks.
If you’re unsure whether your current network and security controls are appropriate for your dental practice, a professional assessment can help identify areas that need attention.
Tier3MD provides dental IT support for practices that need secure, reliable technology.
