September 12, 2023
Are you leaving yourself open to data breaches and cybersecurity concerns?
Your printer network might be one of the most overlooked security threats to your business.
Outdated drivers and data mismanagement are just two examples of common risks surrounding your document management processes. Here are 20 key questions to ask yourself when evaluating printer security at your office.
|
|
Are printers regularly updated?
Regular firmware and software updates are essential to address security vulnerabilities and keep your printer network protected. Outdated printers can become entry points for cyberattacks or may cause integration issues with your other systems. |
|
|
Who has access (and is it easy to manage user access to printers)?Clearly define user roles and permissions so only authorized personnel can access printers and sensitive documents. The setup process should be streamlined for your IT team and accounts should be user-friendly to support smart workflows. |
|
|
What's the network configuration?
Segregating printers from critical systems and implementing encrypted network traffic prevents potential breaches. This proactive measure limits lateral movement for potential cyber threats within your network. |
|
|
Do we use default credentials?
Changing default passwords on printers prevents unauthorized access and enhances network security. Default credentials are often publicly available, making them a prime target for attackers. |
|
|
Are physical security measures in place?Locating printers in secure areas minimizes the risk of unauthorized physical access and tampering. Access to printers should be restricted to authorized personnel only. |
|
|
Are remote printing protocols secure?Employing secure printing protocols, like IPPS or encrypted IPP for remote printing, prevents data interception. Unsecured remote protocols can expose sensitive information to interception. |
|
|
Is data encrypted?Implementing data encryption during transmission protects sensitive information from being compromised. This layer of protection prevents unauthorized access to confidential information. |
|
|
What's the printer disposal process?Secure disposal protocols ensure that sensitive data is erased before printers are replaced or discarded. Improper disposal can lead to data leaks and compliance violations. |
|
|
Is there user authentication?Requiring user authentication at the printer is a safeguard to ensure that only authorized personnel can retrieve printed documents. This also enables meticulous tracking of print jobs, attributing each job to a specific user to foster accountability and enhance data security. |
|
|
Do we use pull printing?Pull printing (or Follow Me printing) prevents unauthorized access to printed documents by holding the print job at the printer until a code is used at the device to start the printing process. This process keeps documents from being printed until the authorized user is physically present. While this may not be necessary for many kinds of print jobs, it can be a crucial part of keeping sensitive documents secure. |
|
|
Do we monitor activity?Active monitoring of printer activity detects any anomalies or unauthorized access attempts. You should be able to see which users are printing which jobs. Continuous monitoring helps identify any suspicious printer activity, unauthorized use, or excessive print waste. |
|
|
Have we conducted a security audit?Regular printer security audits identify vulnerabilities and ensure compliance with data security standards to keep your business a step ahead of evolving threats. UBEO offers a Business Technology Assessment to analyze overall spending and workflow security while providing recommendations for improvement. |
|
|
How do we handle confidential prints?Implementing processes to handle confidential prints prevents documents from being shared irresponsibly or left unattended. It’s important to classify document types and consider the risk of sensitive information being left unattended. |
|
|
Are printers patched regularly?Prompt patching addresses known printer security weaknesses. Including printers in your patch management process prevents hacker exploitation of known vulnerabilities. |
|
|
Do we offer employee training?Educating staff instills data security awareness, reducing human error and enhancing overall data protection. Employees play a critical role in maintaining a secure printing environment. |
|
|
How do we secure wireless printing?Strong wireless security protocols prevent unauthorized access, shielding sensitive data during wireless printing. Wireless printing is convenient, but an unsecured setup can lead to data interception and unauthorized access. |
|
|
How long do we hold data or files?Establish data retention policies for post-print documents to ensure proper handling and disposal. A clear policy helps ensure compliance with data privacy regulations and responsible data management. |
|
|
What are our policies for Cloud Printing?The wrong cloud setup could put your sensitive information at risk for unauthorized access. Employing secure encryption for cloud printing guarantees the confidentiality and integrity of data throughout the process. |
|
|
Have we encrypted stored data?The information stored on your printers should be reserved only for authorized users. You need to put safeguards in place to protect that data. Encrypting stored data on printers fortifies data protection, rendering it unreadable to unauthorized individuals. |
|
|
Do we conduct regular assessments?Plan scheduled assessments to continually evaluate your printer's security stance, fostering proactive risk mitigation. Regular assessments help you adapt your setup to new threats and vulnerabilities. An assessment can also help you catch gaps in your processes or areas where your setup is causing inefficiencies. |
Is Your Printer Network Secure?
Get an Assessment Now
You don’t have to assess your network security and optimize your printer ecosystem on your own. There are many moving parts and changing needs when it comes to digital security; selecting the right setup can be overwhelming.
Get a Business Technology Assessment (BTA) from UBEO for an invaluable first step towards optimizing your business's technological infrastructure.
Learn More: What is a BTA?
With the rapid evolution of technology, ensuring your systems are up-to-date, secure, and efficient is essential. UBEO's BTA provides a comprehensive analysis of your current technological landscape, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. We’ll help you streamline operations while enhancing security — especially concerning printer networks and document management.
Let us simplify the complex task of network security. We’ll provide the expert knowledge you need to leverage key insights, access real-time data, and implement tailored solutions to fortify printer security.
Tag(s):