What Would Happen If Your Practice Went Down Tomorrow?

In today’s technology-driven veterinary practices, a sudden system failure or cybersecurity incident isn’t just an inconvenience – it can bring your entire operation to a halt. But how prepared is your practice to handle a worst-case scenario?

Why Business Continuity Matters

Imagine waking up tomorrow to find your practice’s management system inaccessible, patient records locked, or even worse, data compromised by a cyberattack. The disruption could delay care, frustrate clients, and place enormous stress on your team.

Veterinary practices handle sensitive information every day, making them targets for cyber threats and system failures. Being prepared isn’t just good practice – it’s essential for protecting your patients, your team, and your reputation.

Common Risks Veterinary Practices Face

• Ransomware attacks: Malicious software that locks you out of your data until a ransom is paid.
• Hardware failures: Servers, computers, or network devices breaking down unexpectedly.
• Power outages or natural disasters: Events that can disrupt your IT infrastructure.
• Human error: Accidental data deletion or weak password practices.

Each of these can cause costly downtime and data loss if your practice isn’t ready.

The Top 3 Cyber Threats and How to Combat Them

1. Phishing Attacks

Phishing is when attackers send fraudulent emails or messages that appear legitimate, tricking staff into revealing passwords or clicking harmful links. These can lead to data breaches or malware infections.

How to avoid:

• Educate your team to spot suspicious emails (unexpected attachments, urgent requests, or poor spelling).
• Verify links before clicking and never share passwords via email.
• Use email filters and security software to block phishing attempts.

2. Ransomware

This type of malware encrypts your files and demands payment to unlock them, effectively holding your practice hostage.

How to combat:

• Keep software and security systems updated to patch vulnerabilities.
• Maintain secure, regular backups offline or in the cloud.
• Don’t pay ransoms—contact cybersecurity professionals and law enforcement instead.

3. Weak Passwords and Access Controls

Simple or reused passwords make it easier for attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems.

How to prevent:

• Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts.
• Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible.
• Limit system access based on role to reduce exposure.

Steps to Protect Your Practice

1. Regular Backups
   Ensure your data is backed up securely and regularly, ideally offsite or in the cloud. This means you can restore systems quickly after an incident.
2. Update Software and Systems
   Keep your practice management software, antivirus, and operating systems up to date to protect against vulnerabilities.
3. Staff Training
   Your team should know how to spot phishing attempts, avoid suspicious links, and understand basic cybersecurity best practices.
4. Have a Response Plan
   Develop and regularly review a plan for how your practice will respond to IT emergencies to minimise downtime and chaos.

Getting Help When You Need It

Many veterinary practices find it valuable to partner with IT and cybersecurity experts who understand the unique challenges of the sector. Professional support can help you assess risks, implement protections, and respond swiftly if something goes wrong.

Being proactive about your practice’s IT resilience isn’t just about technology – it’s about safeguarding your ability to care for animals and support your team every day.