Protect Your Business: How Unsecured Printers Can Undermine Your Cybersecurity

In today’s increasingly mobile workforce, physical documents remain a core part of daily business operations. Despite the rise of new software and digital solutions, employees still rely on printers to handle critical tasks. However, while most organizations closely monitor the security of laptops, mobile devices, and software applications, printers often slip under the radar. This oversight presents a serious cybersecurity risk.

Even in remote and hybrid working environments, printers are still integral to maintaining productivity. Unfortunately, they also create vulnerabilities within your network if not properly secured. From obsolete firmware to powerless passwords, printers can serve as a backdoor for programmers to exploit.

Data at Risk: Why Printer Security Matters

Consider this alarming statistic: 81% of IT professionals admit they are not entirely confident in the security of their print infrastructure. Without a doubt more deplorable, 61% of organizations have persevered through data incidents due to unsecured printing hones. These numbers highlight a growing problem—one that is often overlooked.

Hackers are aware that printers can serve as an easy entry point. Unlike other endpoints that receive regular security updates, printers often go unpatched for extended periods. Hackers exploit these vulnerabilities to gain access to sensitive information, steal data, or even introduce malware into a company’s network.

Key Data Points You Should Know

• 70% of organizations still depend on printers for day-to-day operations.
• 63% of attacks on endpoints (like printers) succeed, compared to only 26.1% on servers.
• 32% of home office workers don’t prioritize printer security when purchasing devices.
• The average cost of a data breach is $4.45 million—an expense that no business can afford to bear.

Protect Your Setup with Top-Tier Printer Security Solutions

To mitigate the risks, it’s essential to treat printers as fully-fledged network endpoints, just like laptops and servers. Implementing strong security protocols for printers can help safeguard your network from cyber threats. Here are some tips:

1. Normal Upgrades: Guarantee that all printers have the most recent firmware overhauls to fix vulnerabilities.
2. Strong Passwords: Assign unique, complex passwords to printers instead of using default settings.
3. Monitor Print Activity: Set up print monitoring systems to detect unauthorized access or abnormal usage patterns.
4. Encryption: Use encryption for sensitive documents being printed to protect against data interception.
5. Secure Print Release: Implement secure print release features that require authentication before documents are printed.

By implementing these practices, you can greatly minimize the risk of a cyberattack that exploits vulnerabilities in unsecured printers.

HP’s Cutting-Edge Print Security Solutions

HP offers printers with built-in security features that help protect your network from cyber threats. Models like the HP Color LaserJet Managed MFP E47528 and the HP LaserJet Managed MFP E42540 are designed with embedded security that monitors for attacks, protects critical data, and stops threats in real time.

As America’s most trusted printer brand, HP goes the extra mile to ensure that its printers are secure down to the silicon level, offering robust defenses against hackers.

Choose Reliable Print Security Today

Don’t let your printer be the powerless connection in your cybersecurity procedure. Protect your commerce with secure printers that not as it were to boost efficiency but you give peace of intellect. With HP’s state-of-the-art printing solutions, you can fortify your network and focus on what matters: growing your business.

Ready to safeguard your business against printer vulnerabilities? Download our free whitepaper on printer security today and learn how to protect your network from emerging threats.

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