How safe is your smartphone data?

What would happen if you lost your smartphone? Is your data safe? Do you have any patient info on it?

Thousands of smartphones probably get lost each day (I don't have the statistic, but I'm sure it's high). I don't know how many of them get returned to their owners. but that number is probably low.

I still meet many physicians who are not locking their smartphones. Plus, they're leaving sensitive data on files that are stored on the memory card, so even if the phone is locked, the data on that card can be accessed by anyone who finds the device.

I've never lost my phone, but I've come close several times. I'm sure that all of us have probably come close (call it a near miss). Make sure your smartphone is locked and that you're not carrying any sensitive patient info on it.