The Cybersecurity Checklist Every Medical Practice Needs—But Most Ignore

Don’t have a Cybersecurity plan for your Healthcare Business? Get on that yesterday.

Look, we get it. You didn’t get into healthcare to worry about IT. You wanted to build a practice that serves patients, improves lives, and maybe even makes a little money along the way. But here’s the thing, if you don’t lock down your cybersecurity, everything you’ve worked for could be at risk.

You might be thinking, “I am so small, there so no way a hacker would ever ever think to come after me.” Small medical practices are prime targets for cyberattacks. “But why, oh wise experts at SYSTEMSEVEN?” Because hackers know that most small healthcare providers don’t have the resources or expertise to properly secure their networks. And when you’re handling sensitive patient data, a breach doesn’t just mean financial loss—it means legal trouble, reputational damage, and a whole lot of stress.

But there’s good news. You don’t need to break the bank to protect your practice. You just need to follow the right plan. That’s where this checklist comes in.

The Must-Have Cybersecurity Checklist for Medical Practices

1. Secure Your Email

Email is the #1 way hackers get into your system. Phishing attacks trick employees into clicking malicious links, and before you know it, your entire system is compromised. Here’s how to lock it down:

Implement advanced email security with anti-phishing, anti-malware, and anti-ransomware protection.

Train your staff to recognize suspicious emails (because no security tool is 100% foolproof).

Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all email accounts.

“If every single user in your practice correctly used email security tools, you’d be more secure than nearly 60% of businesses in the U.S.”

2. Use a Centralized Password Manager

Weak passwords are like leaving your front door wide open.

Use a password manager to generate and store strong, unique passwords for every system.

Require multi-factor authentication (MFA) for accessing critical software like EHR systems and billing platforms.

“If your practice correctly used a centralized password manager, you’d be doing better than 70% of small businesses.”

3. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Passwords alone aren’t enough. MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification.

Enable MFA on all critical accounts (EHR, email, cloud storage, etc.).

Use authenticator apps instead of SMS codes for added security.

“If every person in your company was correctly using MFA, you’d be more secure than nearly 75% of all small businesses.”

4. Protect Your Network and Devices

Your practice’s network is the backbone of your IT infrastructure. If it’s not secure, neither is your data.

Use advanced threat protection to detect and block cyber threats before they reach your system.

Encrypt all sensitive patient data both in transit and at rest.

Install endpoint protection on all devices, including computers, tablets, and phones.

Set up DNS filtering to prevent employees from accessing malicious websites.

Regularly monitor and update firewalls and intrusion detection systems.

5. Develop a Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Plan

Stuff happens. Whether it’s a cyberattack, a natural disaster, or just human error, you need a plan to keep your practice running.

Back up your data daily and store copies securely.

Regularly test data recovery processes to ensure they work.

Have a business continuity plan so you can keep operating even if your systems go down.

“We back up Microsoft 365, your website, and your server—and we test it to make sure it actually works when you need it.”

6. Conduct Regular Security Training for Staff

Your team is either your biggest security risk or your first line of defense. Make sure they’re trained to:

Spot phishing emails and social engineering scams.

Follow proper password and data protection protocols.

Report suspicious activity immediately.

“Your cybersecurity is only as strong as the people using your systems. If they don’t adopt security measures, your practice is vulnerable.”

7. Stay Compliant with HIPAA and Other Regulations

Healthcare compliance isn’t just about avoiding fines—it’s about protecting patient trust. A few key steps:

Conduct regular HIPAA compliance audits.

Implement role-based access control (only authorized personnel should access sensitive data).

Ensure encryption and secure storage of patient information.

How SYSTEMSEVEN Helps Secure Your Practice

At SYSTEMSEVEN, we don’t just throw a bunch of security tools at you and hope for the best. We make sure your entire team adopts them and uses them correctly.

We train your staff. We monitor your systems. And when we see gaps, we step in to fix them before they become problems.

Cybersecurity in healthcare used to be considered a luxury, but now it’s a no brainer. And if your current IT provider isn’t making you feel 100% confident in your security, then it’s time to rethink your strategy.

Ready to Protect Your Practice? Let’s Talk.

You don’t have to do this alone. If you want to make sure your medical practice is fully protected against cyber threats, let’s set up a consultation.

Schedule Your Free Cybersecurity Consultation with SYSTEMSEVEN Today

Because the best time to secure your practice was yesterday. The second-best time? Right now.