Cybersecurity and Hardware Setup for Veterinary Practices

In recent years, veterinary practices have made significant strides in embracing digital solutions – from cloud-based management software to AI tools, apps, online services, and telehealth. These innovations are enhancing workflows, client experiences, and patient care, but they also introduce a critical need for strong cybersecurity to keep your data safe.

It’s easy to think that cyberattacks only target big corporations, but small to medium-sized businesses, like veterinary hospitals, are just as much at risk. In fact, around one-third of these businesses face cyber-attacks every year, which could mean that roughly 11,000 veterinary practices are affected annually. The consequences can be severe, from lost data and operational downtime to damage to your practice’s reputation.

This course provides an in-depth exploration of cybersecurity threats specific to veterinary practices and the critical steps required to secure hardware and data. We’ll walk through practical security measures, such as effective password management, two-factor authentication, and regular software updates, alongside key strategies for data backup and recovery planning.

Beyond cybersecurity, we’ll discuss why a well-planned hardware setup is essential for ensuring operational efficiency and future scalability. Finally, we’ll address the security and data privacy considerations associated with the growing adoption of AI in veterinary practices.

Human error is often the weakest link in cybersecurity, so we’ll also cover the role of staff training in preventing breaches and fostering a culture of security within your practice.

This course is RACE approved for 1 hour of continuing education credit for veterinarians and veterinary technicians in jurisdictions that recognize RACE approval (RACE 20-1241748). This course is approved by the Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) for 1 hour of CVPM CE credit (24-63).