Why Securing Print and Office Networks is a Must

What keeps you up at night? If you’re a business owner, you would probably lose sleep if you knew just how much office network security can affect your organisation. In the first half of 2023, businesses in Asia Pacific (APAC) experienced the highest number of weekly cybersecurity incidents, 47% more than other regions.

Incidents like these damage an organisation’s operations, finances and reputation. It may even have serious legal and regulatory repercussions. They affect all types of companies, from large enterprises to small and mid-size businesses (SMBs). But SMBs are especially vulnerable. Accenture’s Cost of Cybercrime Study found that SMBs bear the impact of 43% of all cyberattacks, but just 14% of these companies are capable of defending themselves.

This is why securing your office network and devices, including your printers, is critical to staying resilient amidst APAC’s fast-evolving threat landscape. Download our ebook to find more about the threat landscape in APAC and how you can stay protected.
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How Office Network Security can Affect Your Company

Unsecure networks can lead to data breaches. This is when unauthorised users access sensitive or proprietary information, such as business intelligence, financial information or customers’ and employees’ personal data. Take for example the case of a health insurer. Hackers got hold of highly personal information including customers’ medical procedures, names, addresses and passport numbers, among other personal details.

They also expose your devices to backdoor deployments –the top cyberattack globally in 2022. Backdoor deployment examples are ransomware, phishing, viruses and other cyber threats. Hackers gain access to, alter or compromise, your network devices.

The Business Impacts of Unsecure Networks

All these incidents have significant effects on businesses. Your company can:

Lose data and intellectual property
Experience stalled operations
Damage customer trust and reputation
Face legal and regulatory issues
Incur additional costs for threat response, regulatory sanctions, legal fees or ransom payment

Can Connected Devices Cause Cybersecurity Issues?

Connected devices – such as laptops, smartphones and multifunction printers – have vulnerabilities that cyber attackers could exploit. These include: connecting to unsecure networks; not using a firewall; not running the latest version of its firmware; and using the default administrator usernames and passwords the devices came with.

These devices can then serve as an entry point for hackers to introduce malware that spread to other devices on your network.

In the case of printers, hackers can intercept or print out files in another location, or launch “rogue” print jobs. For example, malicious actors can get your device to print out files of their choosing. They can also access stored data such as passwords, personal information and recently scanned or printed files. They can even “brick” your printer by hacking the firmware to get it to stop working completely.

How to Boost Your Print and Office Network Security

Here are some tips on how to secure your wireless printers and protect your company:

First, the basics: use a firewall, change the default username and password that your printer came with, and keep your printer’s firmware up-to-date at all times.

Make sure your printer only responds to commands from specified ports on your network router. IPPS protocol via SSL port 443 is the standard protocol for secure printing on new printers.

Try solutions that protect your documents from unauthorised exposure, such as those that provide secure document queuing and print-release capabilities.

Some advanced endpoint protection software can also help shield your office network from malware attacks that common defences (like antivirus software) may take too long to detect.

Another option is to engage managed print services to keep you on top of your print data. Manage all your print devices and get insights on print usage, trends and costs. Some providers offer fast, proactive and reliable customer support.

It’s also important to pick devices with strong security features. Some printers have print authentication with password or ID card requirements before printing. This means your documents won’t be lying around in the print tray, waiting to be collected, for everyone to see.

Choose printers that provide advanced security features such as integrating your corporate directory to the printer and setting different levels of permissions for different users. This minimises the risk of unauthorised access. Some also encrypt stored data and filter IP addresses.

Aside from these precautions, you also need to develop comprehensive, long-term solutions.

Have an organisation-wide security strategy in place, with printer security integrated into specific procedures and policies.
Educate employees about cybersecurity, proper digital hygiene, and best practices for print and office network security.
Invest in solutions with security features that are advanced and forward-looking enough to withstand the fast-changing nature of cyber threats.

Gain Peace of Mind by Securing Your Print and Office Network

Improve the security of your print and office networks through sound policies and practices, and best-in-class technology. By doing so, you’ll spend less time worrying about cyber attacks and more time doing things that propel the business significantly forward.

Reach out to learn more about how FUJIFILM Business Innovation can help your organisation secure its print and office networks.