Cybersecurity threats have increasingly targeted the retail sector, with automated retail and vending machines becoming prominent attack vectors. As these machines evolve into connected, intelligent systems capable of processing digital payments, reporting inventory, and running diagnostics remotely, they’ve also become attractive targets for cyberattacks.
Recent reports indicate a concerning upward trend in cyber threats within the retail industry:
These incidents underscore a growing reality: as automated retail expands, so does its attack surface. A single misconfigured device can expose payment data, inventory logs, or even offer attackers remote access to the entire system.
In this post, we’ll explore how to protect vending machines using secure cellular connectivity and Multi-IMSI SIM technology—practical tools to help operators reduce risks and stay ahead of emerging threats.
Today’s vending machines do more than just dispense snacks. They’re often equipped with touchscreens, contactless payment systems, cameras, telemetry modules, and remote management software. These features rely on internet connectivity to send data, such as inventory levels, temperature, machine status, and transaction logs, to a central server. Protocols like MQTT are commonly used because they’re lightweight and efficient for sending small, frequent updates.
This digital convenience allows operators to reduce restocking trips, resolve issues faster, and enable features like real-time pricing updates or predictive maintenance alerts.
But there’s a catch: if the connection is not secured properly, the machine can become a gateway for attackers.
In real cases documented by cybersecurity researchers, some vending machines were found to be broadcasting live payment and inventory data over MQTT channels without any authentication. In these instances, attackers could:
This kind of exposure doesn’t happen because operators are careless—it often happens due to default settings that were never changed, improperly configured communication channels, or legacy firmware that hasn’t been updated.
Even if the data seems harmless, once machines are connected to corporate or payment infrastructure, a single exposed endpoint can become a stepping stone to a larger breach.
Vending machines often rely on real-time communication for payments, inventory updates, and remote management. But if connectivity isn’t configured securely, these machines can become visible to hackers using tools that scan the internet for exposed devices.
Cellular networks offer vending operators a more secure and controlled way to stay connected. Unlike open or misconfigured internet setups, cellular-connected machines are much harder to detect and target.
With cellular connectivity, your vending machines operate outside of public scans and stay off open networks. Traffic can be routed through private APNs or even dedicated Private LTE environments, adding another layer of protection. There’s no need for static IPs or open ports, which reduces exposure to remote threats.
Because cellular access moves with the machine, your connectivity remains consistent and protected—whether your machines are installed in airports, malls, or mobile locations.
Reliable connectivity is essential for vending machines—especially when they depend on remote monitoring, mobile payments, and real-time updates. But even the most stable mobile networks can experience outages, signal drop-offs, or regional performance issues.
Multi-IMSI SIMs solve that problem by offering seamless carrier switching and added security.
Unlike standard SIM cards that connect to a single mobile network, Multi-IMSI SIMs can automatically switch between multiple carriers based on signal strength or availability. This built-in flexibility ensures the machine stays online—no reboots, no manual changes, and no technician required.
Beyond connectivity, Multi-IMSI SIMs also strengthen security by reducing the machine’s visibility and exposure:
Harder to Track: Because the SIM can switch IMSIs on the fly, the machine’s network identity keeps changing—making it extremely difficult for attackers to monitor or target it consistently.
No Static IP: Without a fixed IP address, the machine is much harder to locate or scan through public tools.
Avoids Risky Workarounds: Reliable connections reduce the need for exposed ports, remote admin access, or unsecured backup networks.
Reliable Coverage Across Locations: Machines can operate in areas with inconsistent service by using multiple domestic networks without relying on roaming.
Built for Scale: Multi-IMSI SIMs support large vending fleets by maintaining secure, independent connectivity across regions.
Cellular connectivity and Multi-IMSI SIMs form a strong foundation, but they don’t replace the need for good security hygiene. To truly protect a smart vending machine, the rest of the system needs to be just as resilient.
Here are a few best practices every vending operator should follow:
Use Strong Authentication: Every access point, whether it’s the machine’s dashboard, its remote management portal, or cloud-based analytics, should require more than just a password. Two-factor authentication or token-based access adds an extra layer of protection.
Encrypt All Communications: Protocols like MQTT and APIs must be encrypted to prevent attackers from intercepting or injecting malicious commands.
Keep Software Up to Date: Firmware, operating systems, and backend software should be regularly patched. Machines should support secure over-the-air (OTA) updates to reduce onsite maintenance.
Monitor for Anomalies: Unexpected connectivity drops, strange transaction patterns, or frequent restarts can indicate tampering or attacks. Monitoring helps detect issues early.
Segment Your Network: Vending machine networks should be isolated from core systems. If one device is compromised, segmentation prevents the attacker from moving deeper into your infrastructure.
These steps don’t just protect the machine itself. They help secure customer data, reduce operational risk, and safeguard your brand’s reputation.
Securing modern vending machines requires more than just connectivity. It means keeping them consistently online, protected from cyber threats, and fully operational across different locations. To do that, operators need a partner who understands the demands of automated retail, including remote monitoring, digital payments, and large-scale deployment.
At POND IoT, we deliver reliable, secure connectivity tailored for connected vending environments. Our Multi-IMSI SIMs and private networking solutions help keep your machines running without interruption, regardless of location or fleet size.
With POND IoT, you can:
Whether you operate a handful of machines or a nationwide network, we help you stay connected, secure, and in control.