Cannabis businesses have a lot of challenges, many of which are unique to the industry. One of the biggest challenges they share with companies in other industries is how to protect their small business from hackers.
You might think you don’t have much to worry about as a small business. However, smaller operations tend to have fewer protocols in place, making them easier for cyber criminals to infiltrate. Consider these statistics:
- 43% of all cyberattacks target smaller organizations
- 51% of small businesses don’t implement any security measures
- Only 14% of small and medium-sized businesses have a cybersecurity plan in place
- Only 17% use data encryption
As a cannabis business, you likely have sensitive data that could put your customers and your company at risk if a hacker were to get a hold of it. No matter how small you are or how minimal you think your risk might be, taking measures to protect your business from cyberattacks is a must.
Cyber Security for Business: 7 Tips to Protect Your Cannabis Brand
Every business is a potential target for hackers. That includes those in the cannabis industry. The following seven steps can help lower your risk:
1. Train Your Team
Everyone on your team should understand the importance of cyber security for business and what threats hackers pose. They should know what types of cyberattacks exist, how to identify them, and how to respond.
Develop a set of policies and make sure your employees know and understand them. Keep a physical copy accessible so they can reference proper security protocols at any time.
2. Create User-Level Permissions
User-level permissions ensure employees have access to only the information they need to perform their roles, limiting the accessibility of sensitive data. This helps to reduce the risk of accidental — or even intentional — data exposure and data breaches.
3. Change Passwords Regularly
One solution for protecting your business is to ensure you — and all of your employees — create strong, unique passwords. On top of that, you should have different passwords for every digital access point, including your computer, email account, and website dashboard. Change those passwords periodically, too. To avoid forgetting any login credentials, invest in a password manager.
4. Use Multifactor Authentication
Multifactor authentication (MFA) is a multistep login process that uses two or more independent credentials to verify your identity. Along with your password, you may have to enter a code, answer a security question, or scan your fingerprint. You can’t log in without completing the second step.
Even with your password, MFA reduces the likelihood that hackers get access to an account. Getting notified of failed login attempts also alerts you to suspicious activity, allowing you to respond to potential threats sooner.
5. Keep You Software Up-to-Date
Software companies are constantly adding updates to their products to ensure optimal security. Be sure to check all of your software solutions for new additions regularly and install those that appear. Alternatively, you can choose to auto-update your systems in the settings if the software allows it.
6. Create a Secure Website
Keep your website secure with SSL and HTTPS certificates. These solutions encrypt information traveling between a web browser and a website, making it illegible to anyone trying to intercept it.
The right partners can help ensure website safety, too. Highopes offers premium website design and hosting services. We work with you to create an optimized, one-of-a-kind, secure website that allows you to stand out and bring in more customers. With a strong focus on security, we also take careful measures to keep your business and your customers safe.
7. Run Regular Backups
Backing up data and your website gives you restore points. Regular backups ensure those points are recent, which helps to limit losses and makes it possible to recover faster. Again, automating the task makes sure it doesn’t get neglected. Store your backups in a separate, offsite location, such as a hard drive or the cloud.
Keep Your Cannabis Business Safe From Cyberattacks
Unfortunately, cyber security threats aren’t going away any time soon. That doesn’t mean you have to sit back and allow your cannabis business to become a victim. Establishing security protocols, training your team, and investing in the right tools are crucial steps. Highopes is also here to help by working with you to design and maintain a secure website. Ready to learn more? Contact Highopes today.
