What changing security standards mean for veterinary practice software

3 mins

Digital security in veterinary practice is not only about strong passwords or spotting suspicious emails. It is also about the systems your team relies on every day: who can access them, how that access is controlled, and how your software provider keeps protection up to date.

If your practice shares reception computers, logs into clinical records between consults, relies on cloud-based systems during a busy morning, or manages access for new starters, locums, and leavers, security is not an abstract IT concern. It affects whether your practice can work reliably when it matters most.

In our previous article, we looked at the everyday habits that help reduce digital risk in practice, from stronger passwords to safer use of shared workstations. Those habits still matter. But secure practice software also depends on what happens behind the scenes: how access is managed, how updates are handled, and how your provider proves its security approach.

As veterinary software becomes more connected, cloud-based, and central to daily workflows, security expectations need to evolve too.

Why security standards do not stand still

Security risks rarely change in isolation. As systems become more capable, the ways they can be misused, accessed without the right permissions, or exposed through everyday working habits also change.

In practice, many risks arise from ordinary situations: shared workstations, access that is not reviewed regularly, former employees retaining logins, or permissions that no longer reflect someone’s role. None of this means a practice is careless. It reflects the reality of busy teams, changing rotas, and software that supports more of the working day.

That is why modern veterinary software security relies on layers. Identity, access control, monitoring, updates, and clear operational processes all help reduce risk during normal practice life.

Why independent assurance matters

Not all security claims carry the same weight. One practical way to assess how seriously a software provider approaches security is to look for independent assurance and documented standards.

Frameworks such as SOC 2 assess how organisations manage controls related to areas such as security, availability, and confidentiality. In practical terms, this means the provider must show evidence that security controls are not just written down, but consistently applied, monitored, and improved as systems are operated day to day.

For IDEXX Veterinary Software, supporting documentation is available through the IDEXX Trust Centre. This gives practices a clearer way to review how security is approached, rather than relying only on broad reassurance.

Why identity and access control are now central

One of the clearest shifts in software security is the move towards stronger user identity and access control.

Knowing who is accessing a system and limiting access appropriately is essential in practice environments where computers are shared, and teams change over time. Identity-based security supports clearer accountability without adding unnecessary complexity.

In practical terms, this can help support:

• Individual logins instead of shared accounts.
• Different permissions for vets, nurses, reception teams, and administrators.
• Temporary access for locums.
• Prompt removal of access when someone leaves the practice.
• Better visibility of system activity when access needs to be reviewed.

These controls help practices maintain confidence that day-to-day access reflects how the team works now, not how it worked months or years ago.

Security updates support reliability, not disruption

Security updates can feel inconvenient, especially during busy periods. But, like maintenance elsewhere in the practice, they reduce the risk of more serious disruption later.

Keeping software aligned with current security expectations helps protect access to clinical records, pet owner data, payments, diagnostics, and connected workflows. Addressing risk early and incrementally is usually quieter and less disruptive than responding after a preventable issue occurs.

This is why responsible software providers continue to refine their systems, even when nothing appears broken.

What this looks like in practice

Stronger software security may mean:

• Clearer control over who can access what.
• Removal of shared passwords.
• Easier changes when roles change.
• Better visibility of user access and system activity.
• Regular updates that strengthen protection without interrupting clinical work.
• Greater confidence in cloud-based access during consultations, hospital rounds, and out-of-hours work.

These are operational benefits, not just technical ones.

Questions worth asking your software provider

When reviewing or reassessing practice software, security should be part of the conversation. Useful questions include:

• Can you explain your security standards in plain English?
• Do you support individual user accounts rather than shared logins?
• Can access be limited by role?
• How is access managed when someone joins or leaves the practice?
• Can administrators review user access and activity when needed?
• How are updates tested, communicated, and applied?
• Where can I verify your security standards or supporting documentation?

Clear answers to these questions indicate a provider that treats security as part of everyday reliability.

Security as part of practice software decisions

For veterinary teams, the key point is simple. Security is not a separate technical add-on. It is part of how reliable, usable, and resilient your practice systems are when teams need them most.

Alongside functionality, diagnostics, workflows, integrations, and support, it is reasonable to expect your software provider to explain how security is maintained as risks evolve.

IDEXX Veterinary Software continues to invest in security standards, access controls, and regular improvements designed to support secure, reliable practice workflows across products, including Animana and ezyVet.

If you are reviewing your current practice software or considering a new provider, security should be part of the assessment alongside functionality, support, workflow, and integration.