PRINTER NETWORK SECURITY
In the wake of recent security breaches, managers are seeking to ensure their businesses are as protected as possible – and printer networks should not be ignored.
The recent high-profile cyberattacks on retail giants Marks & Spencer and the Co-Op have focused minds in many businesses on cybersecurity. If huge businesses such as those can fall victim, then any can, so ensuring a business is as secure as possible is paramount – and this includes the printer network. Printer networks can be overlooked when cybersecurity is concerned – especially among smaller businesses – but this needs to change as if it isn’t properly secured it can provide a way in for a cybercriminal. Especially as the number and variety of cyber threats continues to grow. As Ian Fox, channel solutions and services specialist at Xerox, notes, according to the Government-backed National Cyber Security Centre, in 2024, 50% of UK businesses experienced a cyber breach or attack. “They also say that these can happen to any size of business and that the impact on the business and their customers can be significant,” he adds. “Security exploits are much easier to leverage when networks and IT infrastructure are poorly patched, managed or configured. IT support teams tend to focus on traditional endpoints, such as servers and workstations, and print infrastructure is often overlooked. MFDs and printers may also contain vulnerable operating systems, default passwords or sensitive information that, if not properly managed, can be exploited by those with malicious intentions.” Stuart Brookes, EMEA head of sales and channel at PaperCut. adds: “The growing number of bad actors are always looking
for on-ramps to a network, so they pose an increasing threat to organisations of all sizes,” he says. “SMBs are vulnerable because they often think they are less attractive to bad actors than a bigger or better-known business or brand; this can lead to complacency from a security perspective, aligned with few SMBs having a designated person onsite responsible for device security. “To this, we must factor in that end point detection and response isn’t always installed on a printer, opening up a security compromise that can allow for remote monitoring or a backdoor into the network. Add in the move to hybrid working models and staff wanting to print from anywhere, and it’s getting harder to keep users secure on an SMB’s isolated network.” Peter Dresser, product marketing manager at Kyocera Document Solutions UK, agrees that networked printers can pose a significant security risk to SMBs. “As limited IT resources mean printer security often gets overlooked,” he says. “As network endpoints, unsecured printers can unwittingly give hackers access to the network, allowing them to intercept or access sensitive print data or even deploy malware.” Security checklist When considering a secure print network solution, there are various things that should be part of the conversation. Stuart recommends that SMBs create a security checklist. “This should include the fundamentals of authentication procedures, robust access control, solid
Ian Fox channel solutions and services specialist
www.xerox.co.uk/en-gb
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MFDs and printers may also contain vulnerable operating systems, default passwords or sensitive information that, if not properly managed, can be exploited by those with malicious intentions.
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