Multifunction printers are a potential target for cyberattacks, which means it is essential for resellers to help customers to mitigate the threats, says Trevor Maloney, product marketing manager, Kyocera Document Solutions UK.
Decades ago, office printers had one job: to present documents or images in a paper format. However, with technology evolving rapidly, the role of the office printer has changed drastically. Now, printers are multifunctional, allowing workers to copy, scan, send or save various documents from anywhere, with the help of the cloud. It’s even safe to say printers are now more like computers, with associated storage, servers in the cloud and wireless networks connections. While this offers several advantages, there are also downsides.
The past few years have seen constantly evolving cyberthreats, leaving businesses with no room for complacency when it comes to security. That is why print resellers – as trusted partners – must continue to innovate and ensure the devices they offer have the highest level of protection.
Risks of MFP usage
As with any connected device, multifunction printers (MFPs) are a potential target for cyberattacks or in-person data snatches. Even trivial issues like failing to change default passwords or update firmware regularly can lead to MFPs being compromised. To combat this, it is essential that resellers act and deliver peace of mind to their customers, especially given the increasingly sophisticated and diverse nature of cyberthreats. But how?
Security is a must
Taking a proactive approach when addressing vulnerabilities should always be a priority. This means ensuring devices have robust security measures integrated from the design phase. This forward thinking allows organisations to stay ahead of the latest threats. But what does this look like?
MFPs should have, as a bare minimum, features such as Hard Disk Drive encryption with data overwrite, firmware validation and USB port lockdown to prevent against data loss, malware and unauthorised network access through the device.
Encrypting data in devices is also key as it allows data to be protected during transmission and storage and ensures that unwanted parties cannot access confidential documents. However, once a document is printed it is no longer encrypted, so additional user authentication and verification is required. These protocols help control access to printing functions and ensure only authorised users can access the device.
The focus shouldn’t just be on hardware. The right endpoint security solutions can also help prevent breaches by detecting more than just malware. By utilising machine learning and AI, the right endpoint solution can identify suspicious behaviours and flag them before they have a significant impact. Further still, if a breach does happen, it can give security analysts greater insight into an attack and allow them to adapt processes to prevent similar incursions happening in future.
Highest standards
Aside from the attributes outlined above, resellers must focus on how they can go above and beyond for customers and provide them with peace of mind that their devices are secure in the long-term. Device testing is one way to do this.
Take Keypoint Intelligence and Accenture Security, for example. This testing puts printing devices through a stringent examination process to demonstrate the effectiveness of their security features.
There is no time like the present for businesses to get their houses in order when it comes to MFP security. Resellers that prioritise innovation, constant evolution and delivering comprehensive managed services will be best placed to succeed.
