CLOUD PRINT SECURITY
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Cloud print solutions are increasingly used by small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that appreciate the flexibility they bring, as well as their cost effectiveness. But with the advantages come threats, as they provide another attack surface for cybercriminals to potentially exploit. Indeed, this is a very real threat. “A spate of high-profile cyberattacks affecting British businesses over the last 12 months or so means security has rarely been under more scrutiny,” says Greig Millar, chief revenue officer at Brother UK. “As a result, enhanced cybersecurity support is now one of the top five trust- builders for IT decision-makers when selecting technology vendors, according to our Tech Trust Index . AI is now accelerating the pace at which threats evolve, giving cybercriminals new ways to test defences and exploit weak points. Without the right attention, print can be one of those weak points and often flies under the radar as a threat.” The threats that SMBs face in terms of cloud print security are significant and increasing, agrees Nick Taylor, head of growth for office printing and business print & scan at Epson UK & Ireland. “Modern multifunction printers are connected endpoints with operating systems, storage and access to business networks, yet they are still often treated as passive office equipment,” he notes. “Risks range from outdated firmware and exposed network services to print jobs being intercepted in transit or sensitive documents being left unattended. Hybrid working has widened the attack surface further, with employees printing across home networks, satellite offices and other locations outside the traditional corporate perimeter.” Stuart Miller, partner channel director at Canon UK & Ireland, agrees that every connected device is an endpoint and a potential security risk, whether it’s a laptop, printer or even a browser. “As
organisations adopt more cloud-based print infrastructure, cloud-connected printers become an increasingly important part of the wider security strategy, processing sensitive documents and connecting into business networks, which can expand an organisation’s attack surface if not properly secured,” he adds. “In fact, 56% of businesses reported at least one print-related data loss in the past year. While attackers are becoming more automated and sophisticated, they continue to exploit the same basic vulnerabilities. That’s why understanding what devices are connected, who has access to them and how they’re managed remains the foundation of good security.”
Contributors
Greig Millar
brother.co.uk
Nick Taylor
epson.co.uk
AI threat One driver of the increase in the number and complexity of cyberthreats to cloud print security is AI. “AI is now accelerating the pace at which threats evolve, giving cybercriminals new ways to test defences and exploit weak points,” says Grieg. “Without the right attention, print can be one of those weak points and often flies under the radar as a threat. “There are two main points in a print network that a potential hacker looks to target – a document’s journey to the printer once a user hits ‘print’, and when the document arrives at the device. As more businesses move CONTINUED
Stuart Miller
canon.co.uk
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