FEATURE : PRINT SECURITY
Are African businesses securing their printing networks ?
With employees printing documents from their own homes and personal devices , the risks of potential data breaches and unauthorised access have increased , which calls for a more robust approach to print security says Quentyn Taylor at Canon Europe .
It is no longer enough to just print and sell a product . In the modern print landscape , businesses in Africa need to think about creative solutions to meet customers ’ needs , while maintaining cyber hygiene with a 360-degree approach . With Africa ’ s print industry projected to reach a value of US $ 235.3 million by the end of 2031 , the digital disruption has continued to introduce new security challenges .
Security is becoming a priority for many businesses , but the speed at which the cybersecurity landscape is evolving and the increasing sophistication of cyberattacks means a detailed understanding of where some of the biggest risks are coming from is limited amongst many CISOs and IT managers .
By 2025 , the cost of cybercrime for businesses is predicted to reach $ 10.5 trillion , up from $ 8 trillion in 2023 . Despite this trend , many businesses are overlooking and neglecting high-risk areas such as print security , inadvertently leaving them subject to attacks .
In fact , according to research from Quocirca , printed documents represent nearly one third , 27 % of IT security incidents , yet print security is low on the agenda when compared to other elements of the technology stack like cloud , email , and public networks .
Despite this fact , 61 % of organisations have experienced data losses due to unsecure printing practices over the past year . At a time where cyberattacks are on the rise , and will become increasingly common , it is critical that businesses do not overlook the importance of securing the print environment as a crucial building block for a robust security infrastructure .
46 INTELLIGENTCIO AFRICA www . intelligentcio . com