SME PRINTER SECURITY
Safe from harm Printer security is an increasing concern for SMEs, but many still don’t appreciate the full extent of the risks they face through their printers if they are not secured – and this is something resellers need to be advising them on.
Cyberattacks on businesses are continually increasing, and, with printers now networked, they are as at risk as any other part of the IT network. Indeed, a survey carried out by Quocirca of 500 IT decision makers in Europe and the US reported that two thirds of respondents had reported a data loss in the past six months due to insecure printing practices. This shows the dangers of unsecured printing and it is not just larger businesses that should be worried about cyberattacks – they can be targeted at businesses of any size. This means print security measures should be a case of ‘can I afford not to have it?’ rather than ‘can I afford to buy it?’ for all businesses. “The sophistication of criminal gangs means that cyber threats are constantly evolving and becoming more complex,” notes James Stacey, solution consultant at ECI Software Solutions. “It’s clear that an attack can have huge consequences for a business – no matter its size. In fact, in 2022 the global average cost of a data breach hit an all-time high of $4.35 million for studied organisations. Counting the cost “But it’s important to point out that the cost of cyberattacks isn’t only financial. Businesses must spend time recovering from the attack, as well as re- establishing trust with customers and repairing any subsequent damage to their brand. For a small- or medium-sized business this can be disastrous. “Even some of the most tech-savvy individuals and businesses can fall victim to cybercrime. Malware and ransomware attacks are the most common, with these methods involving a form of malicious software being installed within a system,
functions of any IT department, many SMEs do not have the resources to employ a specialist team of IT professionals. “It’s common that managing the IT infrastructure and network will be added on to a person’s job responsibilities, or even fall to the business owner themselves,” says James. “While many are aware of the risks associated with employees accessing the network remotely, via their laptop, phone or tablet, some overlook the risks associated with unsecured printers. As with other IoT devices, these printers can act as a gateway to other systems, through the WiFi network that they are connected to.” Value of MPS But businesses that use managed print services (MPS) technology benefit from enhanced security because every device is carefully managed, throughout its lifecycle, James adds. “A good service provider will proactively look for vulnerabilities and bugs in the software, providing peace of mind to the person responsible for keeping the network protected.” Janis Kemers, VP print and supplies at TD SYNNEX, agrees that MPS solutions can be vital
James Stacey solution consultant at ECI Software Solutions
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SMEs are in a particularly vulnerable position to cyberattacks. While security is one of the most important functions of any IT department, many SMEs do not have the resources to employ a specialist team of IT professionals.
usually via a phishing scam, and then encrypting the businesses data.”
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But SMEs are in a particularly vulnerable position to cyberattacks. While security is one of the most important
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