In this article
The Small Practice Risk Profile
Small practices and independent physician groups are frequent targets of ransomware attacks and audits because attackers assume smaller entities have less robust cybersecurity and privacy controls.
Administrative Safeguards
Every practice must execute formal Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) with all vendors handling protected health information, conduct annual risk assessments, and maintain written policies regarding data access.
Technical Safeguards
Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all email accounts, billing systems, and EHR endpoints. Ensure AES-256 encryption is enabled on all laptops, workstations, and portable backup drives.
Physical Security
Enforce clean-desk policies, secure physical chart rooms, and implement strict disposal procedures for paper documentation containing sensitive clinical or demographic information.
