The cannabis retail industry is a prime target for cybercriminals who look to siphon valuable and sensitive information including credit card details, trade secrets and personally identifiable information (PII). The burgeoning industry is expected to grow exponentially over the next few years, but their cyber security measures are not yet a priority.
Last month saw at least 30,000 customers across multiple U.S. cannabis dispensaries falling prey to, and impacted by, data breaches linked to point-of-sale software. Matthew Dunn, Associate Managing Director in the Cyber Risk Practice of Kroll, a division of Duff & Phelps, was quoted in the Cannabis Business Times stating that “the education and the awareness are the primary things you can do to let people know they’re being targeted.” Matt further highlights that companies need to implement policies focused on cyber security, such as requiring robust passwords, instituting multi-point verification systems and encrypting sensitive data. He shares best practices for cannabis retailers to adopt and how to guard against cyber breaches at your cannabis dispensary.
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