Simplify Security: Say Goodbye to Stagnant Software

This article is one installment of a three-part series centered on cybersecurity in optometric software and beyond. For part one, click here. For part two, click here.  

Some things get better with age, like your favorite pair of jeans or a well-made wine. But you know what doesn’t? Outdated optometry software. It’s not that the software itself is bad, but that cybersecurity threats are constantly evolving around it. To be protected, you need tools that proactively address threats. 

In today’s technological age, users have tools to protect their data, and optometry software companies know it’s important to bolster security defenses on the backend. But cybersecurity is truly a team effort. So how do these two parties work together to ensure the best protection possible? With frequent software updates.  

Embrace the Updates 

If you ignore regular software updates, you’re not alone—the 2021 National Cybersecurity Alliance Attitudes and Behaviors report estimates nearly a third of us don’t bother with getting the latest, greatest version of our online tools. So why are these updates critical and what do they actually include? 

End users aren’t the only ones responsible for keeping their software up to date—developers must ensure the products they’re creating are aligned with operating systems and any security standards they enforce. For example, when Microsoft releases a security patch, it’s Eyefinity’s job to ensure our optometry software is compatible with those changes so it works as expected and is as secure as possible. Often a direct response to emerging threats, security patches are also the frontline of digital safety. 

Of course, this means a new version of the software you use. For cloud users, the updates are less intrusive and usually automatically scheduled at convenient times (e.g., not when you’re seeing your first patient of the day). It’s a little more involved for those with on-premise software, since updates have to be downloaded manually.  

But no matter how long it takes, having up-to-date software that seals you off from attackers is worth it. Neglecting software updates is like camping in a tent that has holes; the mosquitoes might stay out for a now, but sooner or later they’ll figure out how to get in. Cyber attacks—and bug bites—can be entirely preventable with a little planning and patience. 

Consider the Cloud  

There are lots of benefits of working within the cloud—it makes secure data access easier, often saves you money, and streamlines business operations. With cloud-based optometry software, it's up to someone else to handle the details and apply their expertise in cybersecurity, the benefits of which are passed down to you in automatic software updates. Gone are the days of relying on an IT professional to run updates for you or getting to work extra early to do it yourself.  

Given the threats that cybercriminals pose, it can feel counterintuitive to trust someone else with your data. After all, if it's yours, shouldn't you be the one protecting it? But no one can do it all. When you have so many things going on—seeing patients, managing staff, running a business, and keeping up with research—little things can fall through the cracks, and sometimes the little things can become the big things.  

Data protection is truly a team effort between developers, users, and the software that connects them. Between your empowered choices when it comes to practicing data security, our rigorous efforts toward certification, and commitment to ever-evolving optometry software, together we can ensure your information is as safe as possible, no matter what lies ahead.  

To learn more about the cybersecurity benefits Eyefinity can provide for your practice, request a demo today.