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Keeping your veterinary practice safe
keyboard
It seems an opportune time to look at our own systems and assess how virus-proof and secure they really are.

Are you up to speed?
 
A recent global cyber attack that badly affected the NHS and spread across 150 countries should act as a “wake-up call” according to Microsoft. It seems an opportune time to look at our own systems and assess how virus-proof and secure they really are.

Andrew Horrex of AT Veterinary Systems offers a few tips to help you ensure that you are doing your best when it comes to computer security.

Backups
Make sure you have up to date backups of all your important files. Have more than one copy and alternate these so you always have a backup that is not attached to the machine you are backing up.  

Ideally, always have a backup at a different site or in a fire-proof safe. If you have another copy of your files, you can’t be held to ransom. If you are taking backups of sensitive data off-site, ensure the data is encrypted on the backup media.  

Making regular backups will also protect your data from hardware failure. If a virus destroys your files, at least you can replace them with your back-up copy.

Security updates
Install security updates for your computer on a regular basis.  

Anti-virus software
Make sure your anti-virus software is kept up to date and scan the entire system periodically, in addition to the scans done when files are copied.  

Practice computer network
Where possible, ensure your practice computer network is ‘ring fenced’ – kept private by suitable hardware and software. External access should be controlled and limited.

Infected files
Common sources of infection are: email attachments, downloaded files, infected websites and files opened from USB sticks or other media.  

Where possible, limit the access staff have to files and set strong passwords on user accounts. If all computers have access to all data then an infection on one machine could affect all the data rather than being isolated to a particular department or function.  

Some viruses can replicate themselves and spread through email, so take extra precautions when opening email attachments.

Do not open any files attached to an email from an unknown, suspicious or untrustworthy source, or if the subject line is questionable or unexpected.

Unless you know what the attachment is do not open any files attached to an email – even if it appears to come from a friend or someone you know. Confirm that your contact really sent an attachment.  

Delete junk email and chain letters immediately – never forward or reply to these items.  

When downloading files from the internet try to make sure that the source is legitimate and secure. Make sure that your anti-virus protection is checking such files.

Restrict activity
Ensure that all activity on work computers is restricted to the business of the veterinary practice. Never allow personal use of or input into the practice computers.  

When in doubt
No system can ever be 100 per cent secure, so if you have any doubts always err on the side of caution.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.