How to Protect Your Practice from Healthcare Data Breaches

Healthcare organizations face growing threats from cyberattacks and data breaches — and the consequences can be devastating. When sensitive patient information is compromised, practices risk financial penalties, regulatory scrutiny, reputational harm, and most importantly, a loss of patient trust. 

The question is no longer if  the industry faces attempted cyber intrusions; it’s how prepared your technology partners are to prevent, detect, respond, and communicate when the unexpected occurs. 

At Nextech, we believe trust is earned through transparency, preparedness, and unwavering commitment to safeguarding patient information. 

How to Prevent a Data Breach at Your Organization 

Healthcare data breaches often result from human error, phishing attacks, malware, insider threats, or vulnerabilities in third-party systems. Outdated software and unpatched devices can also create opportunities for cybercriminals. Understanding these risks helps practices take proactive steps like staff training, robust access controls, and careful vendor selection to keep patient data safe. 

Choose an EHR Partner that Prioritizes Security 

Security is not an add-on, it’s a core investment and a guiding principle across our organization. Nextech’s defense strategy is built on: 

• Layered cybersecurity controls
• Continuous monitoring and threat intelligence
• Industry-leading compliance standards
• Rigorous internal and third-party security audits 

We continually evaluate and enhance our security posture so our clients benefit from a modern, resilient architecture designed to stay ahead of emerging threats. 

Even with the strongest protections in place, rapid response and transparent communication are essential when incidents arise. 

In the unlikely event that an incident does occur, Nextech’s incident response protocols activate immediately to: 

• Detect and analyze in real time
• Contain and remediate swiftly
• Communicate promptly, accurately, and responsibly 

We view industry breach notification timelines as a minimum threshold, not the finish line. Our goal is simple:  

Detect early. Act Fast. Communicate clearly. 

Responsible Practices for Securing Patient Data 

As stewards of your data, we understand the trust you place in us. That's why sensitive information our clients trust us with is protected with strong encryption and we ensure it remains securely within our compliant systems. Our approach minimizes exposure while maintaining full transparency and accountability. 

Nextech’s data protection model includes: 

• Secure Infrastructure: Encrypted data environments, continuous auditing, and zero-trust access design
• Ephemeral Recording & Liability Protection: Data is only stored for as long as it’s needed—nothing more, nothing less.
• Configurable Consent: Flexible tools allowing practices to align patient permissions with their policies and regulatory requirements 

Vendor Data Breach Risk Checklist for Healthcare Providers 

When evaluating technology partners, consider these key factors to reduce your exposure to breaches: 

✅ Are They Certified: Do they hold HITRUST, SOC 2, or other relevant certifications and do they audit regularly? 
✅ Data Encryption: Are patient records encrypted both at rest and in transit? 
✅ Access Controls: Can you restrict access by role, and is there comprehensive audit logging? 
✅ Incident Response: Do they have a documented and tested incident response plan? 
✅ Regular Audits: Are security and compliance audits performed frequently and transparently? 
✅ Data Minimization: Does the vendor only capture necessary information and store it securely? 
✅ Patient Consent Management: Can consent capture and usage be configured according to your practice’s policies? 

These questions help ensure that your partners not only meet compliance standards but actively strengthen your practice’s resilience. 

Download our Vendor Security Risk Checklist Now 

Trust Through Transparency 

Security is more than technology. It is a shared commitment to patients, to their privacy, and to the integrity of care. 

At Nextech, we continuously refine our defenses, invest in advanced protection capabilities, and hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards of communication and trust. 

Data security isn’t just about technology — it’s about trust. Nextech’s commitment to continuous improvement, real-time transparency, and proactive defense ensures that our clients are protected not just from threats, but from uncertainty. 

Data breaches are disruptive and costly, but a well-prepared practice can respond effectively and protect both patients and the business. By having clear procedures, performing due diligence on vendors, and adopting best-in-class security practices, healthcare providers can minimize risk and recover faster when incidents occur. 

Your patients trust you with their most personal information. At Nextech, we take that trust personally.  

At Nextech, we honor that trust every day.  

About the Author 

David Slazyk oversees Nextech's IT/IS and cybersecurity strategy while ensuring the function, integrity, confidentiality, and availability of our information systems. He also leads efforts to protect and prepare our company from cyber threats, manage our data privacy initiatives, oversee software vendor management, and ensure compliance with relevant regulations.