The Clock is Ticking: Upgrade Your Dental Practice to Windows 10 Today!
In less than four months, Microsoft will say goodbye to Windows 7 and Server 2008. This means that anyone still running these operating systems after January 14, 2020 will no longer receive any new security patches – leaving them vulnerable to opportunistic cybercriminals, ransomware attacks and crippling viruses.
This is especially of concern to dental practices because of the healthcare industry’s notorious vulnerability to cyberattacks. According to Cybersecurity Ventures, healthcare ranks No. 1 in the five most cyber-attacked industries. Ransomware attacks on healthcare organizations alone are predicted to quadruple between 2017 and 2020!
Furthermore, while HIPAA doesn’t explicitly state that running Windows 7 or Server 2008 will be a violation, it does express that “procedures for guarding against, detecting and reporting malicious software” must be in place. Without important security updates and technology support, practices still running Windows 7 or Server 2008 will be especially at risk.
If a cyber attack does occur, your practice could face significant downtime, lost revenue and a blow to your reputation.
There’s still time to protect your practice and switch to Windows 10 and Server 2016. This upgrade is the first step towards protecting your data and sensitive patient information.
Depending on the age of your existing workstations, you can either:
- Upgrade Existing PCs to Windows 10 – Newer computers can be upgraded to Windows 10.
- Purchase New PCs with Windows 10 Already Installed – If you’ve had your computers longer than four years, you will most likely need to purchase new hardware before upgrading.
Especially if you need to purchase new computers, it’s essential to act now to ensure a seamless transition and beat the January deadline. The industry is experiencing a shortage in critical computer components and availability is limited.
At Darby TechForce, we can analyze your current workstations and create a customized Windows 10 upgrade plan to keep your practice running safely and smoothly. Whether it’s upgrading your systems or purchasing new equipment, we have you covered.
Call us at 800.886.2093 to schedule a free assessment!