There are many aspects to running a successful business, and printing is essential. From flyers to documents to annual reports, printing is an integral part of any organization. The fact is, most organizations apply a large amount of their budget towards printing. Still, you’d be hard-pressed to find a company executive who thinks the printer is a security risk or an integral part of the IT process. They certainly do not consider printing a part of their managed services suite. However, most contemporary printers are connected to the organizations’ network and represent a potential open door for cybercriminals and hackers. That’s why printer security is one of the most important ways to secure your office network – even if it is often overlooked.
What are Managed Print Services?
A managed print services program is a contract between a business and a managed print services provider to manage and optimize a business’s document output and print environment.
The MPS provider typically provides everything except paper and ink for a monthly fee. This fee may include managing the company’s existing equipment, adding new print devices when required, servicing printing equipment, and offering proactive replenishment of supplies to prevent downtime.
When a company transitions from an unmanaged to a managed print environment, an experienced provider will conduct a detailed assessment of your current printing scenario – equipment, usage, and costs. This analysis is non-intrusive and also considers document workflows and security vulnerabilities.
Why Does Printing Security Matter?
The good old days of basic network security no longer exist. In today’s world, individuals are connected to your network on a range of devices, which means any number of entry points require security. The danger to the print network isn’t employees; instead, it’s the competitor or hacker who could potentially break into the network, hijack your data or hold your system for ransom.
Your printer is akin to another office computer, and it is especially vulnerable to cyberattacks because so many individuals and systems have access to it. One way to protect your printing system is through professional managed print services.
Managed print services provide state-of-the-art security for your printer’s connection to your network. Here are four ways their service can be beneficial for your organization.
- Solutions are scalable: Although many of today’s printers have complex security features, your MPS provider can guarantee that your cybersecurity solutions are scalable and that your printer easily works within your environment – and can be monitored 24/7.
- Ease of access: MPS will provide full printing authentication, data encryption, and hard drive security, regardless of where your printer is located – in your office or in the cloud.
- Government compliance: If your company works with providers and outside agencies, your printer security must meet the requirements of government guidelines. An MPS provider will make sure you meet those requirements.
- Industry expertise: MPS providers can assist with industry-specific security needs. Companies are required to comply with HIPAA, and defense contracts can experience huge penalties for data breaches. Why risk it when you can trust the MPS?
If you are a business looking to streamline your operations, manage your budget and gain productivity, managed services may be the solution for you. Call Alliance IT today for more information on how we can help you to optimize your operations and protect your data.
