Print related data security breach stories have been making headlines for years; especially since the introduction of the GDPR in 2018. Whilst some breaches are attributable to misconfigured systems, or old-fashioned human error, many are the result of malicious activity. Breaches can occur anywhere, with software offering a key point of ingress (or egress).
Print management software is no exception. A recent report titled ‘Print Security Landscape 2022’ by Quocirca estimated the average cost of a print-related data breach is now over £600,000. That is a huge amount of money for any organisation. In the same report, it is noted that only 26% of companies have complete confidence in their print security, which means the industry needs to do more to both increase security of print infrastructure and educate end users on how to keep data secure.
Despite the vast sums of money involved in a data breach, it is very hard to quantify the true cost to the business due to loss of reputation. A data breach usually results in a very public ousting, with news agencies and authorities divulging information and short comings within the organisation which lead to the data breach. The fallout and loss of reputation and trust from both businesses and consumers can be devastating.
Hybrid and remote working poses cyber-security challenges for IT departments
The recent hybrid and remote working revolution has significantly broadened the threat landscape. In most organisations, employees have remote access to print infrastructure and software. This is often accessed via unsecured networks, or from devices that are not controlled by the business, like personal mobile phones. This poses enormous headaches for IT departments struggling to maintain the highest level of security, whilst managing all these moving parts.
Cyber criminals are aware of these potential vulnerabilities and will try to exploit them if they are given the chance. So, it’s more important than even to make sure your print environment is as secure as possible. Software needs to be up to date and using the latest version. Print infrastructure needs to be upgraded to the latest models which intrinsically offer the highest level of security.
Companies should look to the opportunities that a changing work environment presents. There is a chance for organisations to reinforce cyber-security and inspect workflows in other areas that are no longer fit for purpose. Change always brings challenges for businesses, initial investment in cyber-security measures may be daunting, but the benefits far outweigh the costs, especially if it means avoiding a costly data breach.
For more information, check out our secure print management solutions.
