Why proactive cybersecurity isn’t just for hospitals anymore

Imagine walking into your office on a Monday morning only to find your patient records locked, your billing system frozen and a ransom note on your screen. That may sound extreme, but for many dental practices across the country, it’s becoming a reality.

In 2023 alone, healthcare-related ransomware attacks rose by 128%, according to the American Dental Association. Dental offices are a growing target and most aren’t prepared.

One powerful way to protect your practice? Penetration testing.

What Is Penetration Testing & Why Should you Care?

Penetration testing (often called a “pen test”) is a simulated cyberattack performed by trusted experts. They test your digital systems the same way a hacker would—looking for weak spots, trying to break in and reporting what they find.

Think of it as hiring a locksmith to pick your own locks, not to break in, but to show you how easily someone else could.

It’s more than just a scan for outdated software. A true pen test looks at your full environment:

  • How secure is your patient portal?
  • Can a hacker bypass your firewall?
  • Are your employees vulnerable to phishing emails?

Why are Dental Practices Being Targeted?

Healthcare data is valuable and dental practices often lack the IT infrastructure of larger health systems. That makes them prime targets for cybercriminals.

Here’s what’s at stake if your cybersecurity fails:

  • Access to imaging, scheduling, and billing systems is lost, bringing operations to a halt.
  • Patient care is disrupted, and appointments are canceled.
  • HIPAA violations may trigger legal action and damage your reputation.
  • Cyber insurance claims could be denied if you haven’t taken proper precautions.

Even worse: most attacks don’t come with a warning. Hackers are patient and they wait until they can do the most damage.

Pen Testing vs. Vulnerability Scans

A vulnerability scan looks for known software issues and flags them.

A penetration test goes a step further—it exploits those weaknesses in real time to show what a hacker could actually access.

Both are useful, but they serve different purposes. A pen test is the more proactive, realistic view of your current risk exposure.

Is Penetration Testing Required? Sometimes, Yes.

Cyber liability insurance is getting stricter. Many policies now require proof of cybersecurity measures like:

  • Regular risk assessments
  • Multi-factor authentication
  • Security awareness training
  • Penetration testing

Without these in place, your claim could be reduced or denied altogether. A pen test shows insurance carriers, regulators and patients that your practice takes security seriously.

It also provides legal cover in the event of a breach, demonstrating you’ve taken reasonable steps to protect your systems.

What Could a Cyberattack Cost You?

Here’s a quick reality check:

Consequence Estimated Cost
System Downtime $1,400 per hour¹
HIPAA Violation Fine $100–$50,000 per record²
Ransom Payment $10,000–$100,000+
Reputational Damage Long-term loss of patient trust

¹ Source: IBM Security
² Source: U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services

A single breach can cost more than years of proactive IT support.

How to Strengthen your Cybersecurity

You don’t need to become a tech expert overnight. Here are three simple, practical steps:

  1. Conduct a Basic Security Risk Assessment

Start with the basics: Who has access to your systems? Are updates being installed regularly? Do you use secure passwords and multi-factor authentication?

  1. Schedule a Penetration Test

Adams Brown Technology Specialists offer dental-specific pen testing services. We simulate attacks in a controlled environment and walk you through the results—with real recommendations, not tech-speak.

  1. Act on What You Learn

The real value of a penetration test comes from taking action. Use the findings to fix vulnerabilities, educate your staff and tighten security where it matters most.

A Quick Self-Check: Does your Practice Need a Pen Test?

✅ You use digital imaging, scheduling or billing software
✅ You store or transmit electronic PHI (ePHI)
✅ You haven’t updated your systems in the last 6 months
✅ You don’t have a documented incident response plan
✅ You’ve never had a professional test your security

If you checked even one of these boxes, now is the time to act.

You’re Not Too Small to Be a Target

No matter the size of your dental practice, you hold something every hacker wants—valuable patient data and access to critical systems. And if your operations depend on technology (which they do), a cyberattack could mean more than just inconvenience. It could mean lost revenue, reputational damage and costly legal consequences.

Penetration testing isn’t overkill. It’s smart business. It shows your patients, your insurer and your team that you’re taking proactive steps to protect your data.

Adams Brown Technology Specialists work with dental practices like yours every day. We understand your systems, your compliance requirements and your need for practical, affordable solutions. Whether you’re just getting started with cybersecurity or ready for a deep-dive pen test, we’re here to help.

Schedule a complimentary consultation with our team to find out where your risks are and how to fix them before someone else finds them.