Just like any other business the cannabis industry is no stranger to cyberattacks. Here are a few steps to keep your dispensary safe:
Enhancing Security With Multi-Factor Authentication
Imagine a situation where a hacker obtains an exec’s login information. They could access sensitive consumer information. Even worse, they might authorize payments or engage in other serious fraud. Security impacts are lessened with multi-factor authentication. Less sensitive data will be lost if there is an additional authentication step required for access, particularly for systems that are sensitive and hold financial and consumer data.
Firewall
A firewall is a network security device that monitors both incoming and outgoing network traffic and allows or prohibits data packets in accordance with a set of security rules. Its goal is to create a wall between your internal network and incoming traffic from outside sources (like the internet), blocking unwanted traffic like viruses and hackers.
In order to stop attacks, firewalls thoroughly examine incoming traffic in accordance with pre-established criteria and filter traffic from unsecured or dubious sources. Firewalls monitor traffic at a computer’s ports, which are the entry points via which data is shared with external devices.
Create Strong Passwords
The first line of defense against unsolicited access to your systems and personal information is provided by passwords. Your computer will be more secure from hackers and malicious software the stronger your password is. For all of your computer’s accounts, you should ensure to be using strong passwords.
Tips for creating strong passwords to keep your sensitive information secure.
- Create unique passwords for each of your accounts.
- Passwords must have at least eight characters. It must contain lowercase, and uppercase letters, numbers and symbols.
- Using personal information such as your name, age, DOB, or pet’s name, when constructing your password is a bad idea.
- Avoid consecutive keyboard combinations (i.e. zxcvb or qwerty).
- Always log out or sign out of your account before leaving your device for the day. It just takes a few seconds, and it will help prevent unauthorized users from accessing your system.
Managed Services For Monitoring
According to a report by Verizon, there have been 5200 confirmed breaches around the world out of the 23,000 incidents they have analyzed to date in 2022. Clients can handle the entire incident or threat lifecycle with the support of managed IT services from Cure8.
Takeaway
Hiring a competent managed IT service provider like Cure8 to audit your system and look for any gaps is one of the best ways to uncover vulnerabilities. From there, you can start making changes to better safeguard your dispensary, network, and consumers.
