In this digital age, businesses of all sizes regularly concern themselves with online security for their mobile devices, desktops, and all programs and software. The last thing they want is malware and viruses threatening their data security and relaying information to hackers. However, if you’ve taken every precaution and are still noticing data leaks, consider the importance of printer security.
Even your seemingly innocent digital printer could be the downfall of your business. Rather than allow that to happen, trust our specialized team to relay the most common printer threats, what they cause, and the best practices for remedying these issues.
The Threats You Face With a Lack of Printer Security
According to Quocirca, about 59% of businesses experienced data loss in 2019. Later studies showed those numbers rose to 68% within the following three years and will continue to do so, especially among smaller businesses that hackers try to exploit. However, considering endpoint cybersecurity for your printer can reduce the potential for the following common threats.
Malware Infection
Hackers install malware onto a printer, hoping it’ll spread to other devices. They block, corrupt, or steal data for ransom or to utilize the information.
Phishing
Phishing occurs when hackers steal information to create a faux site or login page for customers or employees.
Printer Tampering and Document Stealing
Printer settings allow you to implement security features like passwords and safety areas for sending information. However, reverting to default settings could leave them vulnerable to unauthorized access. Hackers can reroute print jobs to their locations and extract hard drive data saved on the printer.
How To Secure Your Printer
Now that you understand the importance of printer security let’s examine how to avoid becoming a statistic.
Traditional Password Security
Like your mobile devices, desktop, email, and other accounts, a strong password or passcode helps protect your printer at the source. For optimal data protection, you should incorporate two-factor authentication and have all employees sign in and out after using the printers for network security. Increasing access controls reduces the chances of unauthorized users and visitors finding a doorway into your system.
Encourage Transit Encryption
Print jobs are in danger not only at the printing station but also when in transit. Therefore, encrypting the network for optimal confidentiality bars digital interception. It also adds a layer of security to the printer’s hard drive, where the data will be unreadable to anyone who can access it.
Erase the Hard Drive
Even with encryption, you shouldn’t save important data to your printer’s hard drive. Erasing your print history is a habit that increases information security and discourages cybercriminals. Doing so also reduces printing risks since there’s nothing to physically print out from the drive, proving the importance of printer security.
