Cybersecurity Is Ignoring Small and Private Practice
Why Small Healthcare Practices Face Big Cyber Risks
Many small and private healthcare organizations hold sensitive data but are often overlooked by cybersecurity providers—leaving them at higher risk for breaches.
Key Takeaways
- Small healthcare practices handle ePHI, credit card data, and PII, yet often lack proper cybersecurity.
- HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and SOC2 compliance are still required, regardless of organization size.
- Traditional cybersecurity costs can be too high for smaller providers.
- RealCISO and SideChannel offer cost-effective options designed for small healthcare businesses.
Small Practices, Big Targets
Small and private healthcare organizations are responsible for securing sensitive data—like electronic health records and payment details—but often don’t have the time, staff, or budget for enterprise-grade cybersecurity programs.
As Dan Walsh, CISO at VillageMD, points out: “These organizations often lack the resources to meet cybersecurity standards. This leaves them vulnerable to costly data breaches that harm both the practice and the patient.”
What Are HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and SOC2?
- HIPAA: A federal law requiring protection of patient health data.
- PCI-DSS: A standard for securing credit card information.
- SOC2: A framework ensuring service providers manage data securely.
Even small healthcare providers must meet these standards.
Typical Costs for Traditional Cybersecurity Services
Smaller practices are often priced out. Here’s a rough estimate of yearly costs for a 50-person practice:
- Risk Assessment: $6,000–$30,000
- Vulnerability Assessment: $1,500–$15,000
- Penetration Testing: $3,000–$20,000
- Awareness Training: $1,000–$5,000
- Compliance and vCISO Support: $15,000–$50,000
- Total: $26,500–$120,000+ annually
These numbers don’t include other one-time project costs or incident response.
Modern, Affordable Options
Smaller practices don’t need to settle for high prices or poor security. RealCISO and SideChannel provide solutions built for small organizations:
| Service | Cost (Per Year) | |
|---|---|---|
| RealCISO Platform | $0–$6,000 | |
| Awareness Training | $0–$12,000 | |
| Vulnerability Assessment | $2,000–$4,000 | |
| Managed Detection & Response | $2,000–$4,000 | |
| Compliance + vCISO Services | $6,000–$22,000 |
These tools and services are designed to meet HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and SOC2 standards without overwhelming smaller organizations.
Simple Steps for Protection
Even on limited budgets, small practices can take key actions:
- Conduct regular risk assessments
- Train staff on basic cybersecurity
- Use encryption and secure firewalls
- Monitor systems continuously
- Work with cost-effective providers like RealCISO
Consider RealCISO as your starting point. It’s built for organizations like yours—focused on compliance, affordable services, and real-world support.
👉 Learn more at RealCISO.io
👉 Explore advisory support at SideChannel.com