Brews & Cyber Threats: Cybersecurity For Small Healthcare Practices

You didn’t open a healthcare practice to fight cybercriminals. But if you’re a private physician, dentist, therapist, or specialist, you’re now on the frontlines of a growing digital war.

Cybercriminals are targeting small, independent healthcare offices, just like yours. Why? Because you manage extremely valuable data: electronic health records (EHR), insurance info, payment systems, and personal identifiers. And unlike hospitals, many smaller practices don’t have in-house cybersecurity teams.

At Info Advantage, we want to help you fight back without the jargon. That’s why we created Brews & Cyber Threats, a flavorful blog series where we pair major cyber threats with local brews from Rohrbach Brewing Company in Rochester. It’s a memorable way to stay secure.

Here are the five biggest cyber risks facing private healthcare practices—and the perfect pour to go with each.

1. Scotch Ale + Phishing (Deceptively Smooth)

Phishing remains the #1 cybercrime targeting small healthcare providers. These emails may look like they come from your EHR vendor, billing service, or even a fellow doctor—but they’re actually social engineering attacks meant to steal credentials, install malware, or trick you into handing over patient data.

Why It Hurts:

• Unauthorized access to EHR systems

• Exposure of Protected Health Information (PHI)

• HIPAA violations and fines

• Business disruption or identity fraud

Info Advantage Tip:

• Implement phishing simulations and staff training

• Enable MFA on all systems, especially your EHR

• Use next-gen email security to block fake senders

Why Scotch Ale? Rohrbach’s Scotch Ale is malty and smooth, just like a convincing phishing message. But after that first sip (or click), it hits harder than expected.

2. Space Kitty + Ransomware (Bold and Unforgiving)

Ransomware is devastating for private practices. One infected email or compromised device, and you’re locked out of patient records, schedule, and billing. Some attackers even threaten to leak sensitive patient data unless you pay up.

Why It Hurts:

• Appointments canceled

• Patient care delayed

• HIPAA penalties

• Lost revenue and trust

Info Advantage Tip:

• Back up your data daily, offsite and encrypted

• Use Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR)

• Apply patches and updates to all practice software

Why Space Kitty? This bold, double dry-hopped IPA from Rohrbach Brewing hits hard and doesn’t hold back, just like ransomware. You’ll feel it fast.

3. Blueberry Ale + Business Email Compromise (BEC) (Sweet, Crisp, and a Little Sneaky)

BEC attacks don’t use malware; they use psychology. An attacker pretends to be your doctor, office manager, or billing company, asking for account changes, payment re-routing, or PHI. And it works because it feels legitimate.

Why It Hurts:

• Wire fraud or stolen insurance payments

• PHI exposed without encryption

• Lawsuits and lost patient trust

Info Advantage Tip:

• Add verbal confirmation policies for financial changes

• Use email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)

• Flag internal emails that originate externally

Why Blueberry Ale? This Rohrbach brew is light and fruity, easy to love. But like a BEC scam, that sweetness hides something sneakier underneath.

4. Helles Lager + Insider Threats (Smooth, But Needs Guardrails)

Whether it’s a nurse accessing records they shouldn’t, a front desk staffer emailing files to a personal account, or a contractor with admin-level access, insider threats are very real in small practices.

Why It Hurts:

• HIPAA violations

• Loss of licensure or insurance reimbursement

• Permanent damage to patient trust

Info Advantage Tip:

• Use role-based access in your EHR

• Automatically revoke access after termination

• Monitor file activity and unusual logins

Why Helles Lager? Like this smooth German-style brew from Rohrbach Brewing, your team seems harmless. But without guardrails, even good people can cause bad breaches.

5. Vanilla Porter + Cloud Misconfigurations (Complex, Layered, and Needs Precision)

Cloud-based systems have revolutionized small healthcare practices, but misconfigured settings are a hidden danger. Whether it’s billing software, imaging storage, or telehealth platforms, one incorrect permission could leave your patient’s data exposed.

Why It Hurts:

• PHI visible to the public

• Regulatory audits and fines

• Loss of HIPAA compliance standing

Info Advantage Tip:

• Conduct cloud security reviews twice a year

• Set permissions to “least privilege” by default

• Enable activity logging and access alerts

Why Vanilla Porter? Rohrbach’s Vanilla Porter is a carefully layered blend of chocolate, roasted malt, and vanilla. Get the recipe wrong, and it falls flat—just like a misconfigured cloud system.

Final Sip: Your Charts Are Digital; So Is the Threat

Your practice is built on trust, privacy, and care. But cybercriminals don’t care how small you are—they care how much you’re worth.

Don’t let one fake email, one bad click, or one misconfigured platform cost you everything. Care for your patients, and care for your practice. Enjoy a craft beer tasting while learning how to prevent PHI exposure, ransomware attacks, and HIPAA violations.

Join Us In Person: Cybersecurity & Craft Beer Tasting Event
Rohrbach Brewing Company, Rochester, NY
October 16th at 3:30PM

Reserve your spot at the event here.
Schedule Your Free Healthcare Cybersecurity Assessment here.