Cybersecurity may seem like a concern reserved for banks, tech companies, or other large corporations. But veterinary practices, no matter their size or specialty, are also at risk for cyberattacks. As cloud-based software, digital imaging, and electronic medical records become the standard of care, so does the need to understand – and actively protect – your patient and practice data.
So, how do you know if your clinic and software partners are doing enough? We talked to veterinary practice consultant Nancy Dewitz about why veterinary practices are targets, what the risks look like, and how international standards can help you choose partners that put data security first.
Why veterinary practices are prime ransomware targets
Veterinary hospitals are unique targets for cybercrime. While credit card numbers and other personal information aren’t often stored in a veterinary PIMS, cybercriminals know something else: veterinarians cannot operate without access to their data.
“The scammers know that there's nothing of value to them in clinic software,” said Dewitz. “But what scammers also understand is that veterinarians are willing to pay to get their data back because they can’t operate without it.”
The most common cyber threat veterinary practices face is ransomware – malicious software that locks or encrypts your files until you pay a specified ransom. Attackers don’t care what’s in your system, only that you need it back. And even if you pay, there’s no guarantee you’ll recover your data.
Beyond your PIMS: Vulnerabilities across the clinic
Cybersecurity doesn’t stop at your practice management system. Every digital system in your hospital – from dental X-ray storage to your practice email accounts – can create vulnerabilities.
“I always tell practices they’re only as good as their last backup,” said Dewitz. She recounted a story of one clinic that discovered, too late, that their IT provider hadn’t backed up their PIMS or X-ray data in over six months. “The doctor had no idea that backups weren’t happening automatically, and she was at risk of losing all of her data.”
Even if you’re using a secure, cloud-based platform, your practice may still be exposed if other files and programs are unprotected.
What happens when a cyberattack hits
When a cyberattack strikes a veterinary group, the fallout can be devastating. Consider the 2021 ransomware attack on Ireland’s public health services, which crippled hospital systems and impeded patient care for months. If a targeted attack can shut down an entire national health system, it can certainly paralyze a veterinary practice.
Even a brief system outage can lead to:
- Lost or damaged medical records
- Cancelled appointments or surgeries
- Halted retail and food sales
- Financial losses
- Reputational damage
And not all data disasters are external. Equipment failure, natural disasters, or employee sabotage can also take systems offline.
ISO standards: The gold benchmark for data security
So how do you reduce your clinic’s risk? One proven safeguard is to align yourself with partners who meet the highest standards of data security. That’s where the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) comes in.
The ISO develops global standards to ensure quality, safety, and efficiency across industries. ISO/IEC 27001, in particular, outlines best practices for information security management – covering everything from internal controls and risk assessments to accountability around data handling.
Veterinary practices don’t hold ISO certifications themselves, but your software vendors and IT providers can. Choosing a partner that pursues ISO/IEC 27001 certification is a strong signal that they take data protection seriously and go above and beyond to safeguard your hospital.
Choosing partners who meet the highest standards
Technology is only as strong as the people and processes behind it. That’s why Dewitz stresses the importance of choosing vendors and IT partners who understand the stakes in a medical environment.
“Joe down the street is probably fine for your home computer,” she said. “But not for your veterinary clinic. A typical IT agency may not understand the gravity of the situation.”
When evaluating potential partners, ask questions such as:
- Are you ISO 27001 certified?
- Do you comply with GDPR regulations?
- Do you provide off-site, redundant, and automatic backups?
- What’s your recovery protocol if a breach occurs?
Staff training is equally critical. Phishing emails, fake IT calls, and malware are becoming harder to spot. Regular team discussions and clear protocols around what data is stored where – and how it’s protected – can drastically reduce the risk of human error.
How to keep your practice protected
To strengthen your clinic’s defenses:
- Recognize that veterinary practices are high-value ransomware targets.
- Look for ISO/IEC 27001 certification when choosing software vendors.
- Apply data safeguards across every system in your hospital – not just your PIMS.
- Train staff regularly to prevent errors and respond to threats.
- Partner with IT providers who understand medical data security.
Together, these measures create resilience – ensuring that even if an attack occurs, your practice is prepared to withstand it.
Provet has security built into every layer
Provet takes data security and management seriously. Our parent company, Nordhealth, holds ISO/IEC 27001 certification and complies with GDPR standards everywhere our products are sold. With passwordless authentication and IP locking, our cloud-based platform helps minimize vulnerabilities and protect your clinic.
If you’re looking for a software partner that takes data protection as seriously as you do, contact us to book a Provet Cloud demo.
