The security of your network is probably something you worry about, but do you ever worry about print security? Many people don't know just how vulnerable their printers can make them. But, it's possible to keep printing far more secure than in the past.
Hard Drive Security
Just like your computer network, your printer fleet uses hard drives to store data. The hard drive can be taken from old machines that are ready for disposal, and the data on them can be stolen. Just like with office computers, never leave the hard drive inside when you dispose of these machines. Alternatively, you can wipe the hard drive periodically and give it a final wipe when your use of the machine is at an end.
Encryption
Older printers often have little to no encryption because print security wasn't an issue years ago when these printers were developed. Now, those data streams are sought after by cyberthieves just as streams to a computer are. When assessing your printer fleet, take note of how many of your printers are older models. They may need to be culled and replaced with newer models that have end-to-end encryption. With this form of encryption, the data stream is never unencrypted, making it significantly harder for anyone to make use of the data stream.
Staying in Control
Like computers, there are occasional software updates that fix various security problems. Be sure to stay on top of these updates and to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for security. Performing regular maintenance on each printer can help with print security in a number of ways. If there are any security problems, they will become obvious during maintenance so that they can be fixed before there is a data breach.
Printers have come a long way over the years, much like all other electronics. If you want to make sure your business has the best print security available, call us today to find out more about what we can do for your company.
