One of the biggest risks today’s businesses face is a data breach or other cybercrime. While many companies realize they must update their security protocols, few realize that one of their larges vulnerabilities lies within their networked printers. 60% of data breaches involve the printer, and many IT managers believe their printers to already be infected with malware. It is essential to know how to protect your print environment.
Printer Security
The first step to securing your network printers is to look at the printers themselves. You want a printer that has multiple levels of built-in security to guard your data. Devices should be certified as complaint with security standards. Firmware updates should come from authorized servers and code-signed for authentication. Only authorized users should have access to settings changes, to reduce the risk of a security breach.
Data and Document Security
Today’s printers deal with large amounts of sensitive information that must be protected. Some key ways to help protect your data include:
- Encryption for all data transmitted to or from your printer, as well as stored in the cloud or on the printer’s hard drive.
- Regular cleaning of the printer’s hard drive.
- User authentication for all print jobs.
- Pull-printing to reduce unclaimed print jobs on the output tray.
- Secure mobile printing to secure data on the go.
Consult the Experts
Cyber security is a complex field that changes rapidly. Many companies would benefit from consulting an expert rather than relying on their in-house IT team. With an expert analysis of your network and print environment you can become aware of lapses in your current security protocols and update them to include the latest security technologies.
In today’s world, it is absolutely essential that businesses take steps to secure their network and data. Data breaches are costing businesses upwards of $7.7 million per year, and more companies fall victim every year, and printers are a major point of access for hackers. With a variety of built-in and add-on security enhancements, you can keep your network printer from becoming a liability for your company.
For more information on how you can keep your print environment secure, contact RYAN Business Systems today.
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