In today’s digital landscape, multifunction devices (MFDs) are increasingly used in small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) for everyday tasks such as printing, photocopying as well as scanning. However, many SMEs unknowingly expose themselves to security risks by leaving their MFDs unprotected. This Cyber Security Awareness Month, we are encouraging SMEs to explore additional ways to safeguard their data and reduce vulnerabilities associated with MFDs and to make cyber security a priority across the business.
As more SMEs transition from storing physical paperwork in the office to adopting a ‘paperless’ or ‘paper-light’ approach, they increasingly rely on scanning documents to archive them digitally within their network. However, it’s important to consider that MFDs have built-in memory, which means they store copies of all documents that are scanned, photocopied, or printed. If someone were to access the memory drive, they could potentially retrieve and view these documents, some of which may be confidential or sensitive.
Additionally, as MFDs are increasingly connected to the internet – whether via Wi-Fi or directly through an Ethernet connection – they now face the same cybersecurity threats as PCs and laptops. This connectivity means that, without proper security measures, hackers could exploit MFDs as an entry point into your business network.
There’s also a more immediate and often overlooked risk associated with everyday use of MFDs. Think about how often employees print documents but forget to collect them or leave them sitting in the output tray for extended periods. Not only does this lead to wasted paper from repeated printing, but it also creates a security risk. While those documents remain unattended, they’re vulnerable to being viewed, copied, or taken by anyone passing by and potentially exposing sensitive business information.
Here are three solutions designed to help SMEs reduce the risks associated with MFDs, from data storage vulnerabilities to network security threats.
- bizhub SECURE
Konica Minolta’s bizhub SECURE can provide an additional layer of comprehensive protection ensuring that your data stays yours. The bizhub SECURE service can be activated on a selection of multifunctional devices, prior to taking delivery of your new device. Once these safeguards are in place, your bizhub MFD and its storage drive (SSD / MicroSD) will be protected, ensuring your data is secure.
- Bitdefender Virus Scan
By protecting your MFD with Bitdefender Virus Scan, Konica Minolta can offer your bizhub i-Series device protection by preventing the spread of malware to other networked devices whilst also notifying relevant parties when threats are detected. Bitdefender can be set to updated multiple times a day making sure to detect the latest threats found within the digital environment and can react instantly to each new vulnerability.
- Secure Print Functions
By implementing a feature such as ‘pull printing’, a user’s print job is held on the server on-premise or cloud) and only released when the user is physically present to authenticate., This can be done by either entering a passcode or swiping an IC card and helps prevent sensitive documents from being left unattended in the output tray. Additionally, businesses can enable print reporting, which provides summaries of print activity to help monitor usage, track documents, and identify any unusual or potentially risky behaviour.
While the threat of cyberattacks targeting printing activity is constant, the right combination of equipment, knowledge, and support can significantly reduce your business’s exposure to risk. To learn more about how Konica Minolta can help protect your business, contact us today.
