While the focus of protection efforts tends to be on desktop and mobile endpoints the risks from other devices can often be overlooked. While print security is a growing concern among enterprises it remains one of the most overlooked weaknesses in SMB cyber defenses.
A new global study of 800 IT Decision Makers and 2,400 knowledge workers from HP shows that 57 percent of SMBs say print security is a low priority in cybersecurity strategies.
Over half (55 percent) of SMBs see users trying to bypass print rules or restrictions, while 60 percent worry that existing document processes could lead to a data or privacy issue. A further 50 percent lack visibility into who prints what and where, while 45 percent are unsure if their print security meets industry compliance standards.
The study also shows that 66 percent of knowledge workers assume printers on the office network are secure, while 50 percent don’t think of printers as a security threat. However, 37 percent do worry about printing confidential information and the wrong person finding it.
Despite low prioritization, 69 percent of SMBs acknowledge print security needs improvement, and 65 percent frequently worry about the security risks outdated systems pose. Their top printer security concerns include, cybersecurity risks linked to connected printers, confidential documents being left at the printer, cloud vulnerabilities related to scanned documents, and unauthorized access to print files or queues.
Aurelio Maruggi, division president of HP Office Print Solutions says, “Printers are the security blind spot many SMBs overlook, and that’s a real risk to the Future of Work. If you can’t see who printed what, where and when, it’s hard to protect sensitive data. A single misdirected scan or uncollected print job can leak payroll data, customer records, or contract details, all without any obvious sign that something is wrong. Smart printing fixes this by building visibility, policy enforcement and audit trails into print and scan workflows.”
You can read more about the findings on the HP blog.
Image credit: AndreyPopov/depositphotos.com
