SECURE PRINTING NETWORKS
Human error For all the security protocols, third party software, password protection and system control put in place to prevent printer network breaches, the simplest and often most overlooked is that of human error. Without proper training and education, employees may inadvertently print sensitive information to the wrong printer or leave documents unattended, leading to security breaches. Putting proper policies and training in place can help reduce this risk along with regular reviews and training for employees so that they can not only reduce their unnecessary printing, but also understand the security risk of printing sensitive information on an office network.
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Without proper training and education, employees may inadvertently print sensitive information to the wrong printer or leave documents unattended, leading to security breaches.
Unencrypted data transmission Many multifunctional devices allow users not only to print, but also to transmit data over email, fax or remote print job through a connected office printer. Data transmissions are constantly being sent and received between the printers and other devices on the network. If data is transmitted between devices without proper encryption, it can be intercepted and stolen by cybercriminals, resulting in the theft or compromise of confidential data and sensitive documentation. Unsecured document storage Many multi-function printers have a certain level of internal storage capacity. When using print or fax functionality, temporary files of jobs completed can be saved to the equipment’s internal memory for later use. If these default settings aren’t changed, and without proper controls in place, it can be easy for unauthorised individuals to access and steal sensitive documents that have not been correctly secured. Businesses need to make sure that before disposing or selling old office printers, all internal storage is wiped from the internal storage. This can be done by formatting internal storage through the administrative panel or by removing any internal storage media before disposing of the equipment. Methods like these reduce the risk of someone outside the organisation can access your data. It is also vital to implement security protocols or have third party security software in place on network printers to reduce the risk of cybercriminals accessing stored documents.
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Not maintaining the latest firmware updates The final and easiest protocol to reduce risk on secure printer networks is to monitor the printer firmware across the entire network regularly. Using outdated firmware can lead to security breaches. Without the latest firmware updates, printers may be susceptible to known vulnerabilities that can be exploited by cybercriminals. Distributors are well placed to provide advice and expertise in securing your customers’ printers, as Kelvin explains: “Our team of experts can help you identify the ideal printer solution to help reduce print network security issues within your customer’s organisations. We also offer financial solutions to support the affordability of a new deployment. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help secure your customer’s printing.”
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