SECURE PRINTING NETWORKS
Securing your printer network vulnerabilities In today’s digital age, many businesses rely on technology to manage and share sensitive information, and printing is no exception. However, this also means that printers and print networks can be vulnerable to cyberattacks. Hackers can exploit vulnerabilities in print devices to gain access to sensitive information, disrupt operations or even steal data.
Secure office printing is crucial for protecting sensitive information and maintaining the integrity of organisations. Unfortunately, many businesses overlook the potential dangers of insecure printing practices and leave themselves vulnerable to cyberattacks. “We understand the importance of secure office printing and can deliver solutions and services that aim to protect sensitive information and maintain the integrity of your customer’sorganisation,” says Kelvin Paterson, head of supplies at Ingram Micro. Kelvin adds that there are several vulnerabilities that if left unprotected, are easy targets for cybercriminals: Unrestricted remote access Remote access to workforce printers has become vital in this day and age but without proper controls in place, anyone with access to the internet can potentially access your organisation’s printers and print sensitive documents. This is especially concerning if an organisation deals with sensitive information such as financial data or personal information. To add a layer of protection against unauthorised access, you should use a network firewall to help
block anonymous and otherwise dangerous third parties from accessing your connected equipment. Additionally, configuring your router to only accept connections from trusted devices and restricting IP addresses outside of your geographic location can also help to secure remote connections to your printers. Poor administrative security The problem with many office printers is that companies fail to password protect their printers due to the inconvenience it causes to users and administrators. Without unique passwords and proper controls in place, it can be easy for unauthorised individuals to access and manipulate printer settings, leading to the unauthorised release of sensitive information or potentially compromising other connected devices. A simple step to reduce this risk is to this problem is to change the default password to the administrative control panel of the printer. This can be done through the printer or through a web browser connected to the network. Additionally, investing in third-party security services and applications can support high-quality document and data security for the networked printer.
Kelvin Paterson head of supplies Ingram Micro
Without unique passwords and proper controls in place, it can be easy for unauthorised individuals to access and manipulate printer settings. “ ”
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