FEATURE : PRINT SECURITY
adapt to the reality that sensitive documents may be accessed and printed on various remote devices that do not have the same level of protection as the wider business network .
Consequently , security leaders are now tasked with reimagining their strategies , implementing measures to secure documents at every stage of their lifecycle , whether printed or electronic , and regardless of the device used or where it is located .
Quentyn Taylor , Director of Information Security , Canon Europe
Hybrid work
To address the evolving security challenges posed by people working both in the office and remotely , businesses need to implement additional measures to safeguard their networks and the sensitive information that travels on them .
When everyone worked in the office full-time , organisations relied on traditional security measures to protect their documents , including office security , password encryption , network security and firewalls . Recent research from Quocirca found that 39 % of organisations are finding it hard to keep up with print security demands as the workplace has evolved into the hybrid spaces they are today .
The combination of remote and office working has increased the use of personal and mobile devices , which are not protected by the organisation ’ s security infrastructure . This leaves private end-user devices susceptible to breaches when working away from the office . As a result , security leaders are forced to reassess their cybersecurity strategies to specifically address document protection in this new landscape .
This is highlighted in a recent report from IDC , which shows that 43 % of respondents cite security vulnerabilities and the ability to ensure that at-home print devices are compliant with corporate governance and security policies as a top challenge . With employees printing documents from their own homes and personal devices , the risks of potential data breaches and unauthorised access have significantly increased .
This paradigm shift in work dynamics calls for a more robust approach to print security . Organisations must
It is obvious that the safe moving and sharing of documents must be a crucial part of workplace security . Implementing robust measures to safeguard sensitive documents is essential to mitigate potential risks and vulnerabilities . This includes adopting a comprehensive approach that covers devices , software , networks , and cloud-based services .
Research findings
IT decision makers are less confident in the security of their print network than they were a year ago , according to Quocirca Global Print Security Landscape 2023 report . Only 19 % are completely confident that their print infrastructure is protected from security breaches and data losses today , a drop from 23 % in 2022 . This is despite the fact that organisations are becoming more mature in their approach to print security , with a greater proportion having implemented key protection and policy measures .
It is encouraging that organisations are adopting more print security measures and growing in maturity , although this is not fully translating to confidence . With 70 % of organisations remaining dependent on print and 68 % expecting growth in office print volumes as employees return to the office , work is still needed to ensure that print security gets the right degree of attention . Print-related breach and data loss risk remains high , so businesses must continue working to address gaps .
THIRD-PARTY PROVIDERS
CAN PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN ENHANCING SECURE PRACTICES AROUND REMOTE PRINTING DEVICES .
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