In 2020, a Mississippi family got the scare of a lifetime when a hacker accessed their daughter's Ring camera and began speaking to her from inside her bedroom. The hacker didn’t break in using fancy code or elite tools. He simply logged in using a reused password from a previous breach.
This is no longer a rare incident.
Today, smart cameras and IoT devices are showing up in dental practices across Salt Lake City—monitoring entrances, watching over supply rooms, or simply helping you keep an eye on the office when you’re away. They seem like a smart upgrade. But when not properly secured, they can become open doors for cybercriminals.
If you’re relying on smart cameras to enhance your clinic’s security, there are a few things you need to know. At Qual IT, we provide managed IT services specifically for Salt Lake City dental practices, and we’ve seen firsthand how overlooked devices can create major vulnerabilities.
Not All Smart Cameras Are Created Equal
Low-cost camera brands often skip critical security features to keep prices down. Even premium models become a liability if you don't update settings or install firmware patches.
What hackers look for:
- Default usernames and passwords left unchanged
- Outdated firmware and apps
- Unencrypted footage transmitted over public or unsecured Wi-Fi
- Poor network segmentation, allowing access to systems like Dentrix or Open Dental
Worse yet, many attackers use these cameras as footholds to access your entire network—including patient data, financials, and insurance records.
What To Look For When Buying Smart Devices
If you’re shopping for security cameras or other smart office devices, look beyond the product reviews and pay close attention to security capabilities.
Here are our top recommendations for Salt Lake City dental clinics:
- Choose trusted brands that provide regular software updates and security patches
- Prioritize cameras that offer end-to-end encryption
- Use devices that support two-factor authentication
- Look for options that allow local storage in addition to (or instead of) cloud backups
And if you’re unsure whether your current system meets these standards, get it evaluated—before a hacker does it for you.
Setup Is Just As Important As the Device
Even the best smart camera won’t protect you if it’s set up incorrectly.
Here’s where most dental practices slip up:
- Failing to change default passwords
- Not enabling automatic firmware updates
- Keeping all devices on the same network, including imaging systems, VoIP phones, and front desk computers
- Using outdated routers with weak security settings
Smart devices should always live on a segmented network, separate from your core systems like Eaglesoft, Dentrix, or Open Dental. That way, even if a camera is compromised, it won’t expose your entire practice.
And don’t overlook your router—it’s the first line of defense. Make sure it’s configured properly, uses WPA3 or at least WPA2 encryption, and has remote access turned off.
It’s Not Just Cameras You Need To Worry About
Any internet-connected device in your practice is a potential target:
- Smart doorbells
- Voice assistants (like Alexa)
- Smart thermostats
- Connected TVs in waiting areas
- Wireless printers or scanners
If it connects to your network, it needs to be secured like any other endpoint. These "little" devices often fly under the radar—until they become the very reason for a data breach.
Want To Know If Your Smart Devices Are Putting Your Practice At Risk?
Your smart devices should make your life easier, not open you up to HIPAA violations or ransomware threats.
At Qual IT, we specialize in IT services for Salt Lake City dental practices. We understand the unique security challenges you face, and we help ensure your tech—from cameras to cloud systems—is protecting your patients, not spying on them.
Click here to book your free network assessment. Let’s lock the digital front door before hackers find the spare key.
