MFP security: How can resellers ensure customers have the right protection?
August 28, 2024
Decades ago, office printers had one job: to present documents or images in a paper format. However, with technology evolving rapidly, the role of the office printer has changed drastically.
Now, printers are multifunctional, allowing workers to copy, scan, send or save various documents from anywhere, with the help of the cloud. It’s even safe to say printers are now more similar to computers, with associated storage, servers in the cloud and wireless networks connections. While this offers a number of advantages, there are also downsides.
The last few years have seen a plethora of constantly evolving cyber threats, leaving businesses with no room for complacency when it comes to security. That is why print resellers – as trusted partners to their customers – must continue to innovate and ensure the devices they offer have the highest level of protection.
Trevor Maloney, Product Marketing Manager, Kyocera Document Solutions UK explained: “As with any connected device, multifunction printers (MFPs) are a potential target for cyber-attacks or in-person data snatches. Even trivial issues like failing to change default passwords or update firmware on a regular basis can lead to MFPs being compromised. To combat this, it is essential that resellers take action and deliver peace of mind to their customers, especially given the increasingly sophisticated and diverse nature of cyberthreats.”
Maloney believes that taking a proactive approach when addressing vulnerabilities should always be a priority. This means ensuring devices have robust security measures integrated from the design phase. This forward thinking allows organisations to stay ahead of the latest threats. But what does this look like?
MFPs should have features such as Hard Disk Drive (HDD) encryption with data overwrite, firmware validation and USB port lockdown to prevent against data loss, malware, and unauthorised network access through the device.
Encrypting data in devices is also key as it allows for data to be protected during transmission and storage and ensures that unwanted parties cannot access confidential documents. However, once a document is printed it is no longer encrypted, so additional user authentication and verification is required. These protocols help control access to printing functions and ensure only authorised users can access the device.
Maloney added: “The focus shouldn’t just be on hardware. The right endpoint security solutions can also help prevent breaches by detecting more than just malware. By utilizing machine learning and AI, the right endpoint solution can identify suspicious behaviours and flag them before they have a significant impact. Further still, if a breach does happen, it can give security analysts greater insight into an attack and allow them to adapt processes to prevent similar incursions happening in future.”
Categories : World Focus
Tags : Business Kyocera Document Solutions UK MFPs Resellers Security
