The need to protect the documents that are physically or electronically produced by your office printers is an often-overlooked area of information security. Here we look at the ‘Output Security’ risks and vulnerabilities you need to consider safeguarding your business.
Every time anyone prints, copies, scans or faxes a document it is vulnerable to being stolen or compromised. In fact, recent research from Quocirca found that 60 per cent of organisations have experienced at least one data breach due to insecure printing practices.
However, when businesses list potential information security risks they rarely, if ever, think of networked MFPs and Printers as a problem. Some businesses may decide that if their network security measures are taken seriously and implemented carefully then these will be sufficient.
We believe a broader approach to security is necessary, one which not only secures the network, but also all output information and documents that are generated and shared outside of the organisation. In other words, securing connected peripherals is essential.
What is Output Security?
Output Security concerns the printed output and the electronic outputs from Multifunction Printers (MFPs) or Printers. This includes all printed documents and electronic images of information in transit from a PC to a printing device (including printing through dedicated print servers), scanning (including scan-to-folder, scan-to-email, scan-to-cloud, scan-to-HDD) and information sent via fax.
Where are you vulnerable?
Scanning
Faxing
Mobile printing (BYOD)
As mobile working increases, businesses need to be able to support people printing from their phones or tablets, however, they also need to think about the additional security challenges involved. For example, how to control, track and manage the activities of mobile users accurately.
Tracking and reporting
Securing Output Access
An Output Management system gives you flexible protection. From allowing IT administrators to grant and control access to all printers, to tracking software like PaperCut that lets them see all activities across all devices and identifies data breaches, there are tools available to give you comprehensive protection.