PRINTER NETWORK SECURITY
address vulnerabilities quickly,” he adds. “For SMBs with limited IT resources, centralised management tools can play an important role by simplifying administration, automating updates and helping ensure devices remain compliant with security policies.” Gary adds that there are varying solutions dependant on the client infrastructure. “Implementing basic systems to control access to the device, encryption of documents, basic security settings give some initial piece of mind which can be increased depending on the level of the clients’ risk concern,” he says. Jonathan adds that a secure print solution should ensure all users are required to authenticate before print release and ensure scanning is restricted to the user logged in. “Audit tracing capabilities are also important for providing visibility into who printed or scanned a document, when this occurred, and from which device,” he adds. “Businesses should also implement a centralised fleet management tool to manage device security settings, applications and firmware. This then ensures a consistent standard for security updates. “Lastly, seeking guidance from an expert or print provider can offer crucial advice on security best practice and solutions that can ensure risks and data breaches can be mitigated, and audit trails of all activity is captured.” Reseller conversations When talking to SMB customers about printer network security, there are certain topics that resellers should focus on. Gary says that with more companies considering printing more due to information retention working from paper vs digital, it should be emphasised that printer network security is vital. “Businesses would not risk any other networked device being insecure on their network so why would they with a printer?”
he says. “The cost of investment is negligible vs the cost of a breach, including the unrest and business disruption caused by it. Mitigating risk is key and an MFP is a key part of that infrastructure.” Ian agrees that resellers should encourage customers to view print security as an integral part of their overall cybersecurity strategy. “Conversations should focus on identifying potential vulnerabilities, reviewing the security capabilities of existing devices and ensuring firmware and software remain up to date,” he says. “It's also important to highlight the risks associated with ageing hardware and unsupported software, as these can create security gaps. By taking a proactive approach and offering regular security assessments, resellers can help customers stay ahead of evolving threats while strengthening trust and long-term relationships.” Jonathan says that it is also important to discuss with customers whether their printer fleet can be managed centrally, whether firmware and software are regularly updated to address security vulnerabilities, and whether encryption is in place to protect data during printing and scanning. “Resellers should also highlight the risk of physical data leaks,” he adds. “Common issues such as documents being printed to the wrong device or scans being sent to incorrect destinations can expose sensitive information and create compliance risks.” n
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Businesses would not risk any other networked device being insecure on their network so why would they with a printer?... ... The cost of investment is negligible vs the cost of a breach, the unrest and business disruption caused by said breach.
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