Be safe! Take care of your cyber security
We know that the security of your practice IT systems is often out of your hands. However, we have put together some tips that may help you secure your systems following the ‘WannaCry’ attack on the NHS earlier this month.
Back up and update
Make sure you have effective backups of data on an external hard drive or cloud-based service and ensure all devices are regularly updated.
Beware of spam emails
Ransomware attacks usually rely on an end-user activating them, normally by opening an email attachment. Educate the practice team and ensure that they question who or where emails come from on a regular basis. Ensure this is covered in any staff inductions.
Make sure the team regularly change their passwords and using a mixture of upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols.
The National Cyber Security Centre has produced some helpful guidance on dealing with a ransomware attack.
Have a disaster recovery plan
You should have a disaster recovery plan in place which outlines what the team should do in the event of an attack. Also, ensure that cybersecurity is discussed at every practice team meeting. The plan should include details on how to disconnect infected devices from the network as well as how the practice may work whilst systems are restored.
Read the RCGP’s ‘advice for GP practices following cyber-attacks on their systems’ for further information.
Plan a response
Advice from Practice Index states:
“In the absence of IT specialists – which is the case for most practices – it’s up to ‘leaders’, which will usually be a practice manager, to determine an effective cause of action in the event of an attack, and educate staff to prepare for them.”
What this means in essence is that the practice should have a strong cyber security response plan with clear definitions of how data can be recovered as well as roles and responsibilities within the practice team. Read the UK government’s 10 steps to cybersecurity for further advice.
Unfortunately, cybercrime is a fact of life today and it’s only a matter time before the next attack takes place.
These tips will hopefully help you to take a few simple steps towards making cybersecurity part of your practice culture so you can minimise the chances of any future attacks and the damage they may cause.
Last updated : 21 Jun 2017EasyJet asking for doctor’s letters for face mask exemptions (23 Jun 2021)
We are aware that EasyJet are asking passengers who believe themselves to be exempt from wearing face masks on public transport, are to bring a signed doctor’s letter or medical...Londonwide LMCs 2021 election nominations complete (23 Jun 2021)
Thank you to all those GPs who nominated themselves to stand for their LMC. All constituent GPs should soon receive details of whether their constituency is going to ballot or...Summer 2021 workforce survey closes on 24 June (23 Jun 2021)
With pandemic capacity issues placing such great strain on London general practice it is more important than ever for us to have broad and up-to-date evidence on the state of...Thank you to Julie Sharman and Jane Betts (23 Jun 2021)
This month we are saying farewell to Mrs Jane Betts, our valued Director of Primary Care Strategy for North Central, North West and South West London. Jane, a health visitor...Tips of the Month June 2021 (23 Jun 2021)
We provide weekly tips based on common queries which come through to us from London GPs and practice teams. These are shared via social media and collated for...Covid vaccination programme - working with patients (23 Jun 2021)
Dr Emma Rowley-Conwy of Lambeth LMC shares her experience of how the Covid vaccination programme has reinforced and improved links between GP practices and local communities: "As clinical director for our...Londonwide LMCs' June 2021 newsletter (23 Jun 2021)
...Data Security and Protection Toolkit deadline - 30 June 2021 (22 Jun 2021)
Practices need to demonstrate their compliance with the Department of Health and Social Care’s data security and information governance requirements by the end of June. This is achieved by submitting a self-assessment...Updated guidance: appointment mapping (17 Jun 2021)
Practices will be aware that there is a contractual obligation to complete appointment mapping by the end of July. To ensure that the data is accurate this will take some...Application for a firearm and/or shotgun certificate, or registration as a firearms dealer (RFD) (15 Jun 2021)
Since December 2021 a new national firearms licensing process has replaced the process locally agreed between LMCs and the Metropolitan Police in London. GPs who do not wish to participate in the...Guidance
We provide expert guidance for practices in our guidance section, as well as an archive of other materials you may find useful.
GP Support
Contact our GP Support team if you need help or advice.
The team provide professional and pastoral support to GPs and practice teams on a broad range of issues.