A cash dispenser is the ATM hardware module that counts, picks, and releases banknotes when a withdrawal is approved. It is the final step in the payout chain: after the transaction is authorized, the dispenser receives commands from the ATM software and moves notes from secure cassettes to the customer slot.
In cyber security, the cash dispenser matters because attackers can target the payout mechanism instead of bank accounts. In ATM jackpotting, malware or service abuse may send direct dispense commands, causing the machine to pay out without a legitimate withdrawal. Defenders therefore monitor both software and physical controls: locked service doors, tamper sensors, secure boot, restricted maintenance access, and logs that compare dispense events with valid transactions.