SECURITY FOR PRINTERS IN RETAIL AND HOSPITALITY
of print security remain consistent across various sectors, the specific solutions and their implementation can differ based on the unique needs and challenges of each industry. “For instance, these sectors often require high- speed printing for receipts, invoices, ID badges and guest information, necessitating solutions that can handle large volumes efficiently without compromising security,” he says. “Print devices could also be more accessible to the public, increasing the risk of unauthorised use. Solutions like secure print release and robust authentication methods are necessary. “BYOD mobile devices mean businesses must be vigilant as these devices themselves may have been unwittingly compromised elsewhere before joining a guest network.”
“Resellers should recommend comprehensive, easy-to-implement security solutions that protect devices and the data they handle,” says Dan. “Key solutions include encrypting data sent to printers to ensure sensitive information is secure during transmission and regularly updating printer firmware to close potential security gaps. “The benefits of managed print services should also be emphasised, as it helps monitor print usage and enforces security policies to ensure that all devices in the fleet remain secure.” Deyon says there are several solutions businesses can employ to enhance print security. “Implementing secure print release solutions, ensures that print jobs are held in a secure queue until the user authenticates at a Toshiba MFP with ID cards, PINs or username and passwords,” he says. “This prevents sensitive documents from being left unattended. “Also, using robust authentication methods, like multi-factor authentication, single sign on and access controls can help ensure that only authorised people can access print devices and documents. “Meanwhile end to end encryption ensures that sensitive information remains protected from unauthorised access and segmenting the print network from the main business network can limit the spread of potential breaches. “Implementing monitoring and auditing tools such as Toshiba’s e-FOLLOW.cloud to track print activities can help detect and respond to suspicious activities promptly.” Finally, Deyon adds that educating employees about print security best practices can reduce the risk of human error – as sometimes it isn’t the technology that poses the biggest risk.
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Handling sensitive customer information also requires stringent data encryption and compliance with regulations like GDPR.
Deyon adds that USB printing can pose a huge security problem if print devices do not have antimalware and whitelisting security features installed. “Handling sensitive customer information (e.g., payment details, personal data) also requires stringent data encryption and compliance with regulations like GDPR.” Dan adds that solutions for retail and hospitality businesses often require more lightweight, scalable and cost-effective solutions compared to other sectors. “These businesses may need to comply with industry-specific regulations like PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard), which mandates extra layers of protection for handling credit card transactions,” he says. “Additionally, retail and hospitality environments process high volumes of daily transactions, so secure and efficient print workflows are critical to maintaining customer trust and operational efficiency.” Reseller conversations With security being paramount, it is something that resellers should be pushing when talking to customers about it.
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Deyon Antoine, product marketing manager
toshibatec.co.uk
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