How Secure Is Your Office Multifunction Device?
Internet has become omnipresent in past few decades. Though obviously, its growth is there for everyone to see, but only a few people tend to focus on the potential security risks associated with it. Most people would consider the servers or systems to be at risk, but there is one ignored aspect which the attackers constantly target - Multifunction Devices (MFDs ).
There are several vulnerability issues that an organisation can face with MFDs. From simply leaving classified documents on the printing tray to unauthorised access over the network, there are various potential breach points for attackers. Plus, accessing printers using mobile
device also increases the risk to a great degree. It means that MFDs are susceptible to viruses and attacks as normal PCs, but the type of security that is used to manage PCs are not applied to the printers.
Giving a little bit of attention to secure your Multifunction printer can go a long way to bring security to your business.
So where do you need to focus to prevent such attacks from occurring?
First of all, focus on choosing the right MFD
When you choose an all-in-one printer, don’t just focus on purchasing one that fulfils your printing and copying needs. Simple steps such as conducting a security audit of the device, checking that is it suited to handle the workload, etc. can ensure to handle any kind of future demands or threats.
Focus on the Physical Security Threats
Usually, MFDs are placed at areas which can easily be accessed by all the people in an office. If the device is not fully secured, any person who is not authorised to have an access to certain documents can also reach for these without getting noticed. Any information can be accidentally or purposely copied from the device or the documents can be extracted from the output tray. To ensure security, make sure to purchase devices that have picture login authentication so that the confidential information can only be accessed by the right person.
Countering Network Threats
If the network is left unsecured, then the company’s data is at the risk of being stolen. IT hackers can obtain confidential information or place a virus on the network to alter or even delete the information. Even when the data is stored in the MFD’s network, it can be compromised easily if proper measures are not taken. To prevent unauthorised distribution of confidential information, .features can be embedded in the system that can immediately alert and track the time and origin of the threat. Security measures like whitelisting, where only approved files from trusted source are allowed to be printed, copied or scanned, can also be taken to ensure security.
Organisations must always contact trusted brands that can help in ensuring device’s security. For example, Canon is a market leader that provides MFDs with highest sense of security, such as user ID authentication, reminder light (in case the original document is left at the device), HDD encryption, force hold printing and various other smart features.
Hence, it’s always recommended to check for the security features of MFDs before making these a valuable asset of your business.
