Expert SLP Advice on Smartphone Security – A Conversation with Dr. Josiah Dykstra of Designer Security

Most speech-language pathologists rely on their smartphones every single day. We use them for email, scheduling, telepractice, documentation, social media, and quick communication with families and teams. But very few of us have ever stopped to ask what would happen if that phone were lost, stolen, or compromised.

The reality is that smartphones often contain far more sensitive information than we realize—and small oversights can create big risks for client privacy and professional responsibility. This is not about fear or blame. It is about awareness and preparation in a world where mobile devices are central to our work.

That is why we invited Dr. Josiah Dykstra, a healthcare cybersecurity expert, to share what SLPs actually need to know. He breaks down real-world scenarios and focuses on practical steps that make sense for busy clinicians.

Watch these short videos that we captured during a conversation with Dr. Dykstra and then join us live for the full session to learn how to protect yourself, your clients, and your practice.

What Makes Smartphones Uniquely Vulnerable for Healthcare Settings?

How Much of Your Client and Student’s Data is on Your Stored on Your Phone? What SLPs Need to Know.

How Losing a Smartphone Affects the Data You Store About Students and Clients.

Do This One Thing to Your Smartphone to Make it More Secure.

Want to hear the full story and earn CEUs?

Check out this course: Smartphone Best Practices for SLPs

Smartphones have become essential tools for modern speech-language pathologists and are basically an extension of our clinical brains. We use it for email, scheduling, telepractice, documentation, social media, and quick communication with teams and families. But here is the uncomfortable truth most of us have not been trained on: the same device that keeps our workday running smoothly can also quietly put our practice, our licenses, and our clients’ privacy at risk.

We invited Dr. Josiah Dykstra, the owner of Designer Security, a consulting business devoted to the cybersecurity needs in healthcare. He will dig into what actually happens when a phone is lost, stolen, or compromised and share practical solutions to keep us and our clients safe.