Protecting Printed Documents with Network Security Services

Posted by Tech Support on September 22, 2016

When you think about IT network security, one of the last things you consider may, in fact, be one of the most vulnerable. Office printers are so much more than just printers, and all that sophistication has opened the door for security breaches.

Protection When Printing

Despite our current reliance on digital data, we still need to print documents occasionally. And, it’s not just printing. Anytime you scan or fax a document on your MFP, it is accessing and storing information an internal hard drive. Copy and print equipment created after 2002 came equipped with hard drives, which can save to store data.

With cybercriminals constantly finding new ways to access secure information, the information on your printer is an easily exploited point of access. Due to this, it is imperative that businesses treat printer security as part of their overall IT network security rather than an add-on service.

Securing Stored Data

The standardization of hard drive on printers was done for the simple reason that it made printing faster and easier. In addition to improving print speed, the presence of hard drives means that any document that is scanned or modified automatically is saved to the printer. So, how can you protect your sensitive information from unauthorized access?

Erase Your Hard Drives

When you get a new printer or exchanged a leased model for a new one, be sure that you have completely wiped all data from the printer’s hard drive. Data wipe should remove all information that has been stored.

Overwrite Data

Your IT staff or an external IT consultant can “overwrite” the existing files with scrambled characters. That way if any information is left on the hard drive, it will be difficult or impossible for someone to read.

Encryption

Encryption is a method of scrambling data using a code so that it cannot be extracted directly or remotely. Encryption is a common security protocol used to protect secure information.

Password Protection

Password protection and role-based access allow you greater control over print activities by knowing who is printing and from which printer.

At Hilyard’s, not only can we help you with printers and print security, but we can also help secure your entire IT network.

Testimonials

St. Elizabeth High School has been a client with Hilyard's for two decades and we have received wonderful customer service through our account representative and the service representatives who come to our campus. Over the years, we feel we have come to know the Hilyard's personnel as knowledgeable and qualified professionals as well as supportive participants to our academic and school improvement initiatives. With their assistance, our offices have been able to network copy machines to computer workstations to economize time and resources. On each level of our administration as a school- advancement, educational program, faculty and staff - the company has demonstrated a genuine understanding of the educational environment and budget when suggesting products and offering services. We are very pleased with all aspects of our association with Hilyard's.

Shirley W. Bounds | St. Elizabeth High School
Our company has been working with Hilyard’s since we opened.

The service is great! Anytime we have a problem a tech is available almost immediately.

Our account executive is on top of everything and often reaches out to ensure that everything is going well.

Ali Charowsky | DHIN - Delaware Health Information Network
Hilyard's came to my workplace and made a commitment that they could meet our needs and we would not have to worry about our equipment. They were right! Since we made the move to Hilyard's 4 years ago, the decision has never been regretted. It was their rapid service and professionalism that wowed us! We look forward to having them take care of our equipment needs for a long time! Keep up the great work!

Tony Browning | Hirsh Industries