Is Your Multifunction Printer an Easy Target for Hacking?
If you're like most business owners, you rely on your multifunction printer to help keep your office running smoothly. But what if that multifunction printer becomes the target of a cyberattack? A study published in November 2021 found that multifunction printers are among the most vulnerable devices in an organisation's network, and can be easily hacked into if proper security measures are not taken.
But why are multifunction printers such easy targets for hackers, and how can you protect your users and safeguard vital business information in the office?
Understanding the Risks of Unsecured Multifunction Printers
Multifunction printers are attractive targets for hackers because they usually contain a wealth of sensitive information, including but not limited to customer data, financial records, and proprietary company information. Hackers can gain access to these confidential details in a number of different ways, such as exploiting vulnerabilities in the printer's software or firmware, intercepting network traffic between the printer and other devices, or connecting a malicious device to the printer's USB port.
Once a hacker has gained access to a multifunction printer, they can use it to launch attacks on other devices that are connected to the same network or even take control of the entire system to manipulate as they please. This can result in serious consequences for businesses, such as data breaches, loss of productivity, and reputational damage.
Fortunately, there are a number of steps that businesses can take to protect their multifunction printers from being hacked.
How to Ensure Your Multifunction Printer is Safe from Cybersecurity Breaches
Ensuring that your multifunction printers are secure should be a top priority for any business owner. Here are a few key tips to help you protect your printers from being hacked:
Install security patches and updates as soon as they're available: By keeping your multifunction printer's software up to date, you can close any vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit.
Use strong passwords and authentication measures: Using strong passwords is one of the best ways to deter hackers from gaining access to your devices. Be sure to use a mix of letters, numbers and special characters, and change them on a regular basis. Additionally, consider implementing two-factor authentication (TFA) or biometric authentication to further secure your multifunction printers.
Restrict physical access to the multifunction printer: Only allow authorised personnel to have physical access to the printer and keep it in a secured location when not in use.
Disable unused features and ports: If there are features or ports on your multifunction printer that you are not making use of, be sure to disable them as they could provide avoidable openings for hackers.
Implement a comprehensive security solution: Comprehensive security solutions — such as FUJIFILM Business Innovation's Authentication or Document Audit Trail solutions — can help you protect your multifunction printers and other devices from the latest cybersecurity threats.
FUJIFILM Business Innovation's MFPs with In-Built Security Measures
While the above steps can help keep your multifunction printers safe from cyberattacks, it can be a lot easier to simply use ones that come with in-built security features and data encryption you can trust. At FUJIFILM Business Innovation, our all-in-one multifunction printers are known to be some of the best in the market and ensure that all your documents and data are always kept safe and secure. With built-in features such as secure boot, runtime intrusion detection, secure authentication processes and enhanced print privacy, our multifunction printers are the perfect solutions to eliminate cyberthreats.
Not only are they viable solutions for cyber security, our multifunction printers also let you print, copy, scan, and fax with ease and efficiency. From envelopes to postcards, posters to banners, in vibrant colours or black-and-white, these all-in-one printers let you get more done, quickly and give you superb image quality with effortless convenience.
Protect your business from hackers and other cyberthreats with our all-in-one multifunction printers at FUJIFILM Business Innovation. Get in touch with us today to find out more or shop our full range of printing solutions for all your business needs.
