“1 in 2 UK small businesses identified a cyber attack last year. Around 1 in 4 UK small businesses experienced a cyber crime “
– Cyber Security Breaches Survey, 2025
According to the UK Government Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2025, 43% of UK businesses experienced a cyber breach in the past 12 months, with 67% of medium-sized organisations affected. Phishing remains the most common attack vector, accounting for 84% of reported breaches, while ransomware incidents have increased by 70% year-on-year.
For UK veterinary practices relying on real-time access to Practice Management Systems (PMS), imaging platforms, and payment systems, even a short disruption can halt clinical operations. A serious cyber incident can result in 2–7 days of downtime, potential GDPR reporting obligations within 72 hours, and thousands of pounds in direct and indirect costs.
Why Veterinary Practices Are Increasingly Targeted
Veterinary clinics are attractive targets because they combine:
- Sensitive client personal data
- Insurance documentation
- Clinical medical records
- Often ageing on-premise infrastructure
Unlike some sectors, veterinary practices cannot “pause” operations. When systems go down, clinical workflow stops.
That urgency makes them vulnerable to ransom demands.
The 5 Biggest Cyber Threats Facing UK Veterinary Practices in 2026
1. Phishing & Credential Theft
84% of UK businesses experiencing breaches reported phishing as the initial cause.
In veterinary environments this often appears as:
Once attackers access email accounts, they often move laterally into shared drives and PMS credentials.
Without enforced Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), compromise risk increases significantly.
2. Ransomware Targeting PMS & Imaging Systems
Ransomware incidents have increased by 70% year-on-year.
For a veterinary practice, this can mean:
- Encrypted PMS databases
- Locked imaging servers
- Inaccessible booking systems
- Disabled payment terminals
For a 20-user practice turning over £1m+, even 2–3 days of disruption can exceed £8,000–£15,000 in lost revenue, before remediation or reputational damage is factored in.
3. Outdated Infrastructure Exploits
Common weaknesses we see in independent practices:
- Servers 6–8 years old
- Unsupported Windows versions
- Consumer-grade firewalls
- No network segmentation
- No formal patching schedule
Cybercriminals routinely exploit known vulnerabilities in outdated systems.
4. Supply Chain & Vendor Exposure
Supply chain attacks now account for approximately 15% of small business breaches.
For veterinary practices, this includes:
- PMS vendors
- Imaging software providers
- Telecom suppliers
- Third-party remote access tools
If one vendor is compromised, practices without proper network segmentation may inherit that risk.
5. AI-Generated Attacks
35% of UK SMEs now identify AI-driven attacks as a top concern.
AI-generated phishing emails are:
- Grammatically flawless
- Highly personalised
- Difficult for staff to detect
This increases the importance of ongoing training and layered defence.
GDPR Exposure for Veterinary Practices
Under UK GDPR, organisations must report certain personal data breaches to the ICO within 72 hours.
Veterinary practices process:
Failure to demonstrate appropriate safeguards can result in:
- Client names and addresses
- Payment card details
- Insurance information
- Clinical history records
- Regulatory scrutiny
- Significant fines (up to €10m or 2% of turnover for lower-tier breaches)
- Increased cyber insurance premiums
- Reputational damage within local communities
Cybersecurity is therefore both an IT and compliance responsibility.
The 5-Layer Cybersecurity Model for Veterinary Practices
Effective protection requires layered defence.
1. Enforce MFA Everywhere
Email, remote access, admin accounts, PMS logins.
2. Deploy Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR)
Advanced threat monitoring across all workstations and servers.
3. Implement Encrypted 3-2-1 Backups
Three copies of data, two different media types, one off-site and encrypted. Regular recovery testing is essential.
4. Segment the Network
Separate clinical systems, admin devices, and guest Wi-Fi to prevent lateral movement during breaches.
5. Ongoing Staff Security Training
Only 19% of UK businesses provided cybersecurity training in the past year. Staff awareness remains one of the strongest risk reducers.
No single tool prevents breaches. Layering is critical.
What Should a Veterinary Practice Budget for Cybersecurity?
Industry guidance suggests organisations allocate 7–12% of their IT budget to cybersecurity measures.
For veterinary practices, this typically includes:
- Managed firewall and monitoring
- Endpoint security
- Email protection
- Backup and disaster recovery
- Staff awareness training
- Ongoing vulnerability management
Practices investing at the lower end often implement only reactive protection. Those investing in proactive, monitored security significantly reduce operational risk and insurance exposure.
The cost of prevention is consistently lower than the cost of recovery.
Real Scenario: 24-User Independent Veterinary Practice
A 24-user UK practice underwent a structured cybersecurity review.
Findings included:
- No enforced MFA
- Shared administrator credentials
- Ageing firewall firmware
- Backups not regularly tested
Improvements implemented:
- MFA across all accounts
- Endpoint Detection & Response
- Encrypted cloud backup solution
- Firewall replacement and segmentation
- Quarterly staff phishing simulations
Outcome:
- Reduced vulnerability exposure
- Improved cyber insurance compliance
- Strengthened resilience against phishing and ransomware attempts
- No major security incidents since implementation
Final Thought
43% of UK businesses experienced a cyber incident last year.
Veterinary practices are not exempt – and often carry higher operational risk due to real-time system dependency.
Cybersecurity in 2026 is not about antivirus software.
It is about structured, layered protection that safeguards clinical continuity, client trust, and regulatory compliance.
If your practice has not undergone a formal cybersecurity review in the past 12 months, it may be time to reassess your risk exposure.
All figures taken from Eclarity, and Cyber security breaches survey 2025 – GOV.UK
