As the holiday season rolls in—bringing festive sweaters, full boarding schedules, and an endless supply of peppermint mochas—the Veterinary world enters its own version of the “most wonderful time of the year.” But while your team juggles last-minute appointments, holiday travel for clients, and year-end wrap-ups, your technology is quietly trying its best to keep everything merry and bright.
That’s why now is the perfect time to give your hospital’s tech stack a little holiday cheer. Think of this as your “12 Tech Tasks of Christmas”—a checklist designed to help you end the year strong, prevent January surprises, and set your practice up for efficiency, security, and success in the new year.
So grab some cocoa, gather ’round the server closet (safely), and let’s unwrap each task together.
1. Check Your Backups Twice
If Santa double-checks his list, your hospital should double-check its backups.
Confirm that:
- Backups are running daily.
- At least one backup is off-site or cloud-based.
- You can actually restore something from backup.
A backup you can’t restore is like a present with no batteries—a disappointment waiting to happen.
2. Test Your Redundancy (Because Outages Don’t Take Holidays)
Winter storms, power blips, and Internet hiccups love to show up uninvited.
Make sure your:
- Backup Internet connection fails over automatically.
- UPS (battery backups) are functioning.
- Critical systems stay online if something goes sideways.
Remember: Clients don’t stop calling just because the Internet does.
3. Review User Accounts Before They Become Stockings Full of Coal
Did multiple seasonal staff use the same login? Did someone who left six months ago still have access to radiology?
Clean up:
- Old staff accounts in PIMS, email, imaging software, and network systems.
- Shared logins.
- Unused permissions.
Least privilege is the gift that keeps giving.
4. Update All Devices and Software—Even the Ones Hidden ‘Just for Now’
There is no such thing as a device that’s “not important enough to update.”
Think:
- Tablets tucked in drawers
- Doctors’ laptops used occasionally
- The PC behind the dental suite that “no one really touches”
Unpatched devices are easy entry points for cyber Grinches.
5. Audit Your Password Hygiene (Holiday Cookies Optional)
December is a great time to:
- Enable MFA on every system that supports it.
- Change any shared passwords.
- Remove reused passwords.
- Introduce or reinforce password managers.
Make weak passwords a thing of Christmas past—like fruitcake.
6. Clear Out Old Digital Clutter
Just as you clean up old ornaments before decorating, your systems need tidying, too.
Consider cleaning:
- Downloads folders packed with X-ray exports.
- Desktops with years of screenshots.
- Email inboxes overflowing with unread vendor promos.
- Old servers filled with outdated files.
More clutter = slower performance, frustrated staff, and security blind spots.
7. Confirm Your Security Tools Are Up to Date and Actually Working
Security tools are like holiday lights—pretty useless if half the string is burned out.
Review your:
- Antivirus/MDR status.
- DNS filtering.
- Firewall licensing.
- Backup monitoring.
- Patch management.
If anything shows yellow or red, resolve it before the new year.
8. Review Your Hardware Lifecycle—Before January Brings ‘Unexpected’ Failures
Old hardware doesn’t age gracefully.
Create or update your lifecycle plan for:
- Workstations.
- Servers and NAS devices.
- Firewalls and switches.
- Wireless access points.
- Phones and tablets.
If your receptionist computer takes 10 minutes to boot up, you need more than just a Christmas miracle–you need to make lifecycle replacements part of your New Year Resolutions.
9. Evaluate Your Cloud Readiness
More Veterinary tools move to the cloud every year—phone systems, PIMS, diagnostics, payments, telemedicine, etc.
Ask yourself:
- Does your Internet speed support these systems?
- Is your Wi-Fi reliable in every exam room?
- Do you have proper network segmentation to keep medical devices safe?
A clinic unprepared for cloud tools is like preparing to host a holiday party with no chairs.
10. Review Your Vendor Contracts and Subscriptions
Year-end is a great moment to look at:
- Auto-renewals.
- Overlapping services.
- Software you no longer use.
- Expiring warranties.
- Opportunities for consolidation.
Consider it your financial version of regifting—except more ethical.
11. Document Everything (Your Future Self Will Thank You)
Documentation isn’t glamorous, but it is magical.
Record:
- Network diagrams.
- Device lists with purchase dates.
- Password manager access.
- Configuration notes.
- Vendor contact info.
Good documentation turns chaotic January troubleshooting into smooth sleigh rides.
12. Make a Cybersecurity and Technology Plan for the New Year
Finally, take everything from this list and turn it into a forward-looking plan:
- Budget for lifecycle management.
- Schedule quarterly audits.
- Plan staff training.
- Update your incident response plan.
- Outline practice goals that depend on technology.
Good technology doesn’t happen by accident—it happens by intention.
Why These 12 Tasks Matter
Veterinary teams work incredibly hard, especially during the holiday rush. Technology should be your silent partner—keeping workflows smooth, staff empowered, clients connected, and patient care uninterrupted. When your systems are reliable and secure, your team can focus on what they do best: caring for pets and supporting the humans who love them.
By taking time in December to complete these twelve tasks, you’re not only protecting your hospital—you’re investing in efficiency, reducing stress, and preventing crises that always seem to happen at the worst possible moment.
A Toast to a More Efficient, Secure, and Joyful New Year
As the year comes to a close, imagine how good it will feel walking into January with a hospital that’s organized, updated, protected, and ready for whatever 2026 brings.
- Your technology will thank you.
- Your team will thank you.
- Your future self will definitely thank you.
Cheers to a holiday season full of wagging tails, bright networks, and smooth workflows—and to a new year where your Veterinary practice’s technology is as dependable as Rudolph on a foggy night.
To learn more about how the author, William Lindus, and I.T. Guru can help provide your Veterinary practice with safe, secure, and stable technology and cybersecurity environments, book a free consultation today!