The modern office depends on the MFP for more than just printing documents. Therefore, it needs strong security measures. Here we look at what Print Security, also known as secure printing, is and why your business needs it to keep data safe.
Multifunction Printers (MFPs) have become essential components of the modern workspace, enabling seamless integration of printing, scanning, and copying. With network connectivity, they have changed from isolated devices to part of a larger information hub for the business.
However, these seemingly innocuous devices represent a significant cybersecurity vulnerability that many Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) overlook. As cyber threats continue to evolve, unsecured MFPs can become potential entry points for malicious actors, putting sensitive business data at risk.
What is Print Security?
Print Security, or secure printing, means taking protective steps to safeguard multifunction printers within a business or home-office environment from potential cyber threats. MFPs are connected devices and as such have an IP address that connects it to the company network. Without robust security measures, such devices can become significant data breach threats for organisations regardless of size of business.
If a cybercriminal can exploit a cybersecurity vulnerability in an MFP, they may well insert malware through compromised print jobs, gain unauthorised access to network document storage, steal property through intercepted print or scan data, or even simply use the MFP as an entry point to broader network infiltration.
Why SMEs are Vulnerable to Cyber Attacks
By their very nature, SMEs are small organisations with far less processes and procedures than larger enterprises. As a result, workflows and processes may be more ad hoc and organic in nature.
Many SMEs mistakenly believe they are too small to be targeted by cybercriminals. This misconception, combined with limited IT resources and budget constraints, creates significant security vulnerabilities.
For example, many SMEs may have varying levels of cybersecurity awareness, as they often operate without dedicated in-house cybersecurity specialists to implement comprehensive security measures. Equally, insufficient budgets can often lead to prioritising growth over comprehensive security solutions. This can result in a lack of security training within the business, as well as under investment in Print security infrastructure.
Why Print Security is Needed for Compliance
MFPs handle a wide range of sensitive documents, including employee and financial records, tax documents, and other confidential materials. To maintain the integrity of the business, it is essential that such information is not accessible to unauthorised users.
To ensure that such data is protected in the most secure way possible, businesses must meet strict regulatory compliance standards to protect the organisation from legal and financial risks. Data protection regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which outlines the legal requirements for handling, collecting and processing personal data, mandate strict protection of such information.
Non-compliance can result in severe financial penalties, with fines potentially reaching millions of euros, and significant reputational damage.
GDPR is evolving and it is worth noting that while the fundamental principles and rights of data protection remain largely the same, the UK GDPR deviates from EU GDPR in certain areas, such as data breach notification requirements, appointments of data protection officers, and exemptions for certain public authorities.
Print Security with Sharp and Bitdefender
Businesses of all sizes are facing increasing cyber cybersecurity threats. As a result, SMEs must understand that MFPs are network endpoints and must be treated as such. This means putting in place robust security measures to overcome cybersecurity vulnerabilities that can be exploited if left unsecured.
Sharp MFPs are designed and built with multi-layered security in mind. However, we take security incredibly seriously, which is why Sharp partnered with Bitdefender to offer advanced MFP security solutions.
The Bitdefender antimalware engine offers real-time scanning of all input and output data, including viruses, trojans, worms, ransomware, advanced persistent threats, zero-day threats, and spyware. It also offers continuous comprehensive protection across print, scan, and copy functions.
By providing immediate threat detection should any unauthorised activity be detected, it will automatically alert IT and security teams to the threats and the malware is deleted. In today’s world of fast-evolving cyber threats, the ability to detect and stop attacks before they can do damage is crucial to remaining cyber resilient.
Print Security Takeaways
When thinking about Print Security it is vital to understand that unsecured MFPs become entry points for malicious actors and that to prevent access to sensitive documents and data robust protection is required.
To prevent bad actors gaining access to sensitive information it is vital for SMEs to implement multi-layered protection and conduct regular security audits. To do this, treat MFPs as IoT devices with potential network access risks and partner with Managed Print Services for expert security guidance. At the same time, employee cybersecurity training will enhance overall security policies within a business.
At Sharp, we put security of SME data and information ahead of anything else, which is why all our MFPs come with multi-layered security already implemented. Furthermore, our Bitdefender partnership provides real-time malware scanning to increase security and compliance across our devices.
If you would like to know more about Sharp Europe Print Security, our products, services, and thought leadership, contact us.
