Are Your Printing Jobs Safe_ 5 Security Threats You Should Be Aware Of

1. Are Your Printing Jobs Safe? 5 Security Threats You Should Be Aware Of In today's digital world, the majority of our communication and work processes have shifted to the virtual realm. But one thing remains constant — the need for printed documents. From contracts to client proposals, printed material is still an integral part of a large number of businesses. However, just as our online interactions can be vulnerable to security risks, so can our physical printing jobs. Employing secure printing solutions becomes paramount to protect sensitive information. Just how susceptible are these tasks? This article takes a look at the most common print security threats and how you can safeguard against them using secure printing solutions and print management software. Misplaced Print Documents It's a situation many of us have encountered: you send a document to print, get sidetracked by another task, and by the time you get to the printer, your document is nowhere in sight. Misplacing print documents is not merely a matter of inconvenience; it’s a security threat. In a bustling office environment, it's easy for someone to mistakenly pick up your print job, or worse, for a malicious actor to intentionally swipe it. A simple solution is employing print management software with a secure pull printing feature. It retains the document in the print queue until an authenticated user releases it, ensuring that only the right person gets their hands on the print job. Data In-Motion Attacks While you might believe that a document is safe while being sent to a printer, this isn't always the case. Data in-motion attacks occur when cybercriminals intercept a file as it's being transmitted over a network to a printer. These attacks can provide unauthorized access to the information within the document, leading to potential data breaches. To counteract this, use encrypted connections for all print jobs. Print management software can ensure that documents are encrypted from the moment they're sent to the printer until they're printed, minimizing the window of vulnerability. Device Theft While it might seem like an unlikely scenario, printers and their accompanying storage devices can be stolen, especially in settings where multiple organizations share facilities. Printers, especially modern ones, often store a record of every print job they've undertaken. In the wrong hands, this information can be exploited.

2. To mitigate this risk, always opt for secure printing solutions that have built-in data wiping capabilities. This ensures that after every print job, the data is securely erased, leaving no trace on the printer's storage. Printer Vulnerabilities Modern printers are no longer standalone devices. They're connected to networks, receive firmware updates, and often have their own operating systems. This makes them as susceptible to vulnerabilities as any computer or smartphone. Hackers can exploit these vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to the network or retrieve information on past print jobs. Regularly updating printer firmware and employing print management software that monitors for potential security threats are essential steps in ensuring printer security. Data Leakage This refers to any unauthorized transmission of data from within an organization to an external destination. In the context of printing, it can be as overt as someone printing and physically removing a confidential document from the premises or as subtle as transmitting a digital copy to an unauthorized destination. Implementing secure printing solutions that track the 'who, what, and when' of all print jobs can help address this threat. Alerts can be set up for specific types of documents or data, ensuring that all print jobs are accounted for and unauthorized prints are immediately flagged. Conclusion While printing might seem like one of the more benign activities in a business's daily operations, it is rife with potential security threats. Just as businesses invest heavily in cybersecurity for their digital assets, equal attention should be given to the physical realm of printed documents. Ensuring your business adopts secure printing solutions and utilizes advanced print management software are steps in the right direction. With these tools at your disposal, you can safeguard sensitive information, protect your business, and ensure peace of mind for both you and your employees. Don't wait for a breach to happen; take proactive measures to ensure the safety and security of your printing jobs today. Understanding Print Management Tailored to Business Needs with Plus Technologies Plus Technologies, recognizing the intricate and diverse demands of businesses, offers its OM Plus suite, designed specifically to handle the challenges of document management. This suite ensures that documents are not only printed punctually but are also directed to their respective destinations securely. OM Plus boasts features like storing print jobs until retrieval and providing

3. access to remote users without the necessity for VPN solutions. Additionally, its fully customizable nature ensures it aligns perfectly with an organization's specifications. A significant principle underlying Plus Technologies' approach is its vendor-neutral, cross-platform compatibility. This ensures businesses can opt for hardware most suited to them without brand restrictions. The OM Plus Suite includes standalone software tailored to specific print challenges and integrated solutions for broader organizational needs, granting companies the flexibility to scale as per their evolving demands. Since its inception in 1994, Plus Technologies has been dedicated to refining business processes impacted by document management. Their suite streamlines workflows, curbing expenses, saving time, and enhancing overall efficiency. The OM Plus Suite, as Plus Technologies' flagship product range, encapsulates various features from managing print spools across systems, ensuring documents aren't left unattended at print stations, to offering tamper-proof printing on regular paper and giving businesses a deep dive into user and device-based print statistics. Visit the Plus Technologies website today to learn more.