The Need For Data Security In The Cannabis Industry

Do You Understand The Need For Data Security In The Cannabis Industry?

With each month that passes, more and more states are progressing towards the legalization of cannabis. Just at the close of 2019, recreational cannabis became legal in Michigan, and medical cannabis became legal in Missouri and Utah. This brings the total number of states having passed some form of cannabis legalization legislation to 33.

This is great news for the cannabis industry as a whole. The more opportunity there is for the legal sale of cannabis, the more businesses and jobs that can enter the market. However, as new business owners work to get their businesses off the ground, they need to keep one very important point in mind:

Are you protecting your clients’ data?

Do You Understand Data Security Risks In The Cannabis Industry?

It’s important to consider the security of your customers’ financial and medical information. Due to the medical use of the product, the cannabis industry overlaps with the healthcare world. The Protected Health Information (PHI) you deal with has to be secured against cybercriminals.

You also need to be considering the security of your cannabis payment systems. Due to how cash-heavy the industry has been, there has been considerable opportunity for the introduction of new payment systems to help simplify these processes.

Unfortunately, these new systems are often ideal targets for hackers. They have been developed quickly to fill a large demand, a process during which corners are often cut, especially when it comes to security.

Whether online, mobile-based, or both, these new apps and systems need to be vetted properly to make sure they aren’t putting your data at risk.

Is Your Data Protected?

Your ability to protect your data comes down to how you answer these three key questions:

1. Do You Have A Data Inventory?
   You have to start from a place of understanding. Begin by taking stock of your data – what it is, where it is stored, etc. With that information, you can then move forward in protecting it.
2. Do You Have A Data Backup Policy In Place?
   If not, then you’re vulnerable.If you have a data backup solution, then it doesn’t matter what happens to your data onsite – you can just replace it with your backup, simple as that.

   That’s why you should make a considerable investment in a comprehensive backup data recovery solution so that you can restore your data at a moment’s notice when necessary.

   Be sure to:

   • Back up data on a regular basis (at least daily).
   • Inspect your backups to verify that they maintain their integrity.
   • Secure your backups and keep them independent from the networks and computers they are backing up.
3. Is Your Staff Capable Of Protecting Your Data?
   A comprehensive cybersecurity training program will teach your staff how to handle a range of potential situations:
   • How to identify and address suspicious emails, phishing attempts, social engineering tactics, and more.
   • How to use business technology without exposing data and other assets to external threats by accident.
   • How to respond when you suspect that an attack is occurring or has occurred.

Need A Hand Keeping Patient Data Safe?

The best way to enhance the data backup capabilities of your organization is to work with a capable IT company like Veo Verde. Our team can fulfill the following requirements:

• Comprehensive Backups: The backup solution should provide both local onsite backup for quick recovery in instances of data loss, as well as offsite cloud-based backup for when your business is hit with a critical disaster.
• Regularly Testing: Your IT company shouldn’t expect you to assume that your backups will just work when needed. We will regularly test your backups to verify their effectivity in the event that something goes wrong with your onsite data.
• Convenient Restoration: Don’t settle for clumsy, all-or-nothing backups. You should be able to choose a point in time to restore in the event that the data has been deleted, corrupted, or there has been a malicious intrusion.

Like this article? Check out the following blogs to learn more:

Are You Complying With The BCC Requirements For Video Surveillance?

The Journey To Legalize Recreational Cannabis In California

Cannabis & Computers: A Critical Relationship

Veo Verde

Veo Verde Technology is a division of its larger parent company Alvarez Technology Group. With 20 years of experience providing cutting-edge IT products and services to their customers in California, the administration of Alvarez Technology Group spotted a neglected market in the cannabis industry.