What Dentists Need to Know About Cybersecurity – Fusion One Technologies Thomas Kane Breaks It Down

 

Cyberattacks targeting dental practices are no longer rare — they’re routine. From ransomware to data theft, digital threats are hitting both large dental organizations and small private clinics alike. The impacts are serious: patient data compromised, operations frozen, reputations damaged, and regulatory fines looming.

For Thomas Kane, cybersecurity consultant at Fusion One Technologies, the message is clear: dental professionals must treat cybersecurity with the same urgency as patient care.

Fusion One Technologies Thomas Kane


A Targeted Industry Facing Sophisticated Threats

The dental sector is now firmly in the crosshairs of cybercriminals. Healthcare data is highly valuable on the black market, and many dental practices lack the advanced defenses used in larger health systems.

In 2024, the Change Healthcare cyberattack exposed a harsh reality — even large, well-funded healthcare companies can be brought to a halt. The $22 million ransom they paid was followed by a spike in copycat attacks, with 44 ransomware incidents reported in healthcare in just one month.

Major Breaches in the Dental World

Recent years have shown that no dental organization is safe — and the list of high-profile breaches continues to grow:

  • Dental Care Alliance (2020): Over 1 million patients’ health data exposed.

  • Henry Schein, Inc. (2023): Ransomware group BlackCat/ALPHV disrupted services and accessed sensitive information from over 160,000 individuals.

  • American Dental Association (ADA): Targeted in a wave of industry-wide attacks.

  • OneTouchPoint (2022): Breach impacted 2.6 million patients across dozens of healthcare providers, including dental offices.

  • Dental Health Management Solutions (2023): More than 300,000 patients affected in military and correctional care environments.

  • Local Practices: Small and mid-sized offices in Minnesota, South Carolina, and beyond have suffered ransomware lockouts, HIPAA violations, and costly downtime.

These cases prove that even a solo practice is fair game for hackers — and often less prepared.

Where Dental Practices Are Falling Short

According to Fusion One Technologies Thomas Kane, most breaches stem from basic vulnerabilities that could have been prevented. Common weaknesses include:

  • Weak or reused passwords

  • No multi-factor authentication (MFA)

  • Outdated or unpatched software

  • Untrained staff vulnerable to phishing emails

These gaps are exactly what attackers look for — and often, they find them.

The Shift to Smarter Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is no longer about firewalls and antivirus alone. Today’s threats demand modern, layered strategies. Kane and the Fusion One team recommend:

  • Passwordless authentication – Replacing traditional passwords with biometrics or device credentials

  • Zero Trust security – Every access request is verified, every time

  • AI-driven endpoint protection – Identifies and stops threats before they cause harm

  • Encrypted cloud backups – Ensures fast, secure recovery if systems are compromised

What Dental Practices Should Do Now

If you’re wondering where to begin, Thomas Kane outlines seven essential steps to raise your practice’s defenses:

  1. Turn on MFA for all accounts and platforms

  2. Use password managers to eliminate weak, reused credentials

  3. Schedule an annual cybersecurity assessment

  4. Train staff regularly on phishing, scams, and basic protocols

  5. Patch and update software on a routine basis

  6. Work with a healthcare-focused IT provider like Fusion One

  7. Create and test an incident response plan before it’s needed

These actions can significantly reduce risk and help you stay compliant with HIPAA and other regulations.

Final Word: Security Is Now Part of Patient Care

Cybersecurity is no longer an optional investment — it’s part of delivering safe, uninterrupted care. A breach doesn’t just hit your IT systems; it impacts your patients, your revenue, and your reputation.

As Thomas Kane of Fusion One Technologies puts it, “You don’t wait for a cavity to become a root canal — so don’t wait for a breach to rethink your security.”

Now is the time to take action, strengthen your digital defenses, and partner with experts who understand the unique challenges of dental IT.

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