As a cannabis business, especially if you’re a smaller operation and don’t handle sensitive medical records, you might be wondering why a hacker would bother targeting you. Maybe you think your IT setup is minimal, and if you’re in the U.S. or Canada, you likely don’t process credit card info due to banking restrictions.
But the reality in 2025 is that a lot of hacking today is automated and opportunistic. Hackers increasingly go after soft targets, which often includes small businesses. So even if you’re just a single dispensary or grow facility with limited IT (say, a computer or two, a POS or ERP system, a few tablets, a router, and a surveillance system), you’re just as much of a target as a multi-state operator or licensed producer.
Main Methods They’ll Use in 2025
Email-Based Threats
Email remains one of the most common sources of cyber threats.
Phishing
Phishing is when a bad actor tries to trick you into clicking malicious links, downloading infected files, providing login credentials, or even transferring money. These attacks are becoming more sophisticated in 2025, often using AI-generated messages that look frighteningly real.
They might pretend to be a delivery notification, a fake invoice, or even your CEO requesting urgent funds.
For tips on identifying phishing, check out this 2025 Email Security Guide (still relevant and regularly updated).
And it’s not just email anymore—phishing attempts are now common on social media, messaging apps, and even via text.
Malware
Often delivered via phishing emails or sketchy websites, malware can wreak havoc by spying on you, stealing credentials, or locking your system down. With AI-generated malware on the rise, even visiting a compromised ad on a legitimate website can trigger an infection in 2025.
Avoid visiting:
- Torrents
- Adult content sites
- Pirated software sites
- Untrusted links on social media
Vulnerability Scanning & Exploits
Hackers use bots to automatically scan for IPs with open vulnerabilities. If your routers, PCs, or any internet-connected devices (including security cameras) haven’t been patched or updated, they’re a liability. Even modern firewalls and smart devices are vulnerable if misconfigured.
Password Guessing
Weak, reused, or default passwords are still a major issue in 2025. Automated “brute force attacks” can crack simple passwords in seconds. Many cannabis businesses still don’t implement basic protections like multi-factor authentication (MFA) or enforce strong password policies.
Supply Chain Attacks
These continue to rise. Hackers target vendors and software providers, inserting malicious code during updates. The 2020 SolarWinds breach and 2023’s MOVE it attack are just the beginning. Vet your IT vendors thoroughly and demand transparency in how they secure their systems.
What They’re After (Still Mostly Money)
While it’s fun to imagine someone hacking you to steal your secret gummy recipe, in reality, most cybercriminals are just after one thing:
Moolah!
Banking Info
Bank logins, routing numbers, crypto wallets — all prime targets for hackers who want to steal funds or sell access to other criminals.
Ransomware Attacks
This continues to be one of the most profitable strategies. Hackers encrypt your data and demand payment (usually in crypto) to restore access. These attacks now often include data theft too, so even if you have backups, they might still leak your sensitive files.
Sensitive Data
They’re after customer info, vendor lists, even internal HR files. In both the U.S. and Canada, compromised medical-use data, ID scans, or license info can also lead to compliance violations and lawsuits.
Botnets & Crypto Mining
While slightly less common today than ransomware, hackers may still hijack your system to send spam, attack other systems, or mine cryptocurrency. These often go undetected, quietly draining system resources and network bandwidth.
Reverting These Attacks in 2025
We’ve covered security best practices for cannabis businesses in other posts, but here’s your quick refresher updated for 2025.
Firewalls
Hardware firewalls are a must. Go with a reputable provider like Fortinet, Sophos, or Cisco, and make sure your firmware is always up to date. Partner with an IT team who can manage configurations and monitor alerts in real time.
MDM (Mobile Device Management)
Solutions like Microsoft Intune or Jamf Pro help lock down your tablets and smartphones. Use MDM to enforce security policies, wipe lost or stolen devices and deploy updates remotely, a must for mobile-heavy dispensary environments.
Secure Email Solutions
Use advanced security features built into Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, and enable:
- Spam and phishing filters
- Attachment restrictions
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- External email warnings
Data Backups
Use redundant cloud backups and test restore capabilities regularly. Consider immutable backups (which can’t be altered by ransomware) and work with a provider that automates backups and verifies integrity.
Employee Training
Human error remains the #1 vulnerability. Train all team members — budtenders, cultivators, admin staff — on how to:
- Spot phishing attempts
- Use MFA
- Lock devices
- Report suspicious activity
Do this periodically, and especially during onboarding.
Managed IT Services
Outsourcing to a managed IT services provider gives you access to 24/7 threat monitoring, security updates, patch management, and fast incident response without needing to hire full-time IT staff. It’s an affordable way to bring enterprise-level protection to small cannabis businesses.
A Note on the Employee Threat
While this article focuses on external threats, internal risks are very real, too. Disgruntled or careless employees can:
- Delete or leak data
- Share credentials
- Abuse financial access
- Steal proprietary info
Follow the principle of least privilege; only give access necessary for the job. Require unique logins for each employee and enable auditing on critical systems so you can track exactly who did what and when.
Final Thoughts for 2025
Cyber threats in the cannabis industry aren’t going away. In fact, they’re becoming smarter and more targeted. Whether you’re a micro-cultivator or a nationwide retail chain, hackers will always view your business as valuable. Stay vigilant, invest in prevention, and train your team. It’s better to spend a little now than to pay a ransom, or something worse, later.
