Keeping private patient information secure is a top priority for dental practices. Saving time and money is another. If you’re proactive with your choices, cloud computing can be a safe and effective option for your practice.
When it comes to your patients’ information, security is key. Your patients rely on you to keep their personal information private, and your practice is expected to adhere to HIPAA compliance regulations. When you host your server and applications in the Cloud, you are ensuring the safety of this data. Not only do you add a second firewall when you choose to host data in the cloud (in addition to the physical firewall in your office), but you also receive the utmost in physical security as well. The data centers that store cloud servers are protected and monitored 24/7 for both human and natural disasters like burglaries or floods.
In term of HIPAA, cloud service providers are considered business associates. According to HIPAA, the cloud vender must comply with the same physical, administrative, and electronic security requirements as your practice. Some vendors do, and some don’t, so it is important to do your research before committing to a cloud service provider. If you work with your managed service provider, you can make a more educated decision. It may even be easier than you think: Preferred IT Group, for instance, is a cloud service provider who already works with a HIPAA and PCI compliant company.
To make your practice even more streamlined, there are a variety of excellent cloud-based software you can use as well in addition to or in place of your current dental software. Aperia, for instance, is a payment software that will keep your practice PCI compliant in the cloud. Denticon and Curve are cloud-based applications specific for dental practices.
To learn more about cloud computing and whether it is right for you, you can take our quiz or call our office for more details.
