01732 759725 36 SECURITY Today’s smart MFPs have several points of vulnerability – in addition to printed output that can fall into the wrong hands without the right controls, devices can be attacked and become access points to the wider network Mitigating risk with multi-layered print security With just 38 per cent of organisations reporting that they have implemented secure printing, advanced secure printing solutions based on RFID technology offer a clear opportunity to mitigate the growing risk of print-related data breaches. RFID readers and mobile authentication technology solutions help organisations implement secure print policies and seamlessly enable user authentication across multiple identification platforms. Advanced secure printing solutions ensure that documents are only released to authorised users, when the user authenticates at the device via RFID card, smartphone mobile credentials, or biometrics. This allows organisations to ensure employees have a consistent way of releasing documents across distributed environments and overcome some of the inherent risks associated with using basic PINs or weak password credentials alone. Security and convenience ELATEC’s RFID readers offer convenient user authentication and access control across a wide range of locations, equipment, and systems. RFID card and smartphone credentialing systems integrate with leading MFP brands and print software, allowing employees to authenticate at devices with the same RFID cards they use to enter the building, which eliminates the need for new systems. Such an identity management platform is extensible. For example, ELATEC supports mobile credentials and access solutions that can be integrated into existing secure identity systems. Examples include building information management (BIM) systems, for unlocking doors or clocking into a building, as well as single sign-on (SSO) systems for logging onto a computer network or accessing applications. The solutions leverage standard device technologies and are universally accessible, easy to deploy, and simple to manage. Further security capabilities involve the location of the user and printer. For example, if a user is logged as being in one part of a building and trying to free up a print job in another, the system can flag this as a likely problem and put a hold on the print job until the issue between location and action can be resolved. Different security approaches can be applied based on location – for example, an employee may be able to print a document while in the office, but not when at home or in a public environment. Certain documents may only be printable in a secure print room, which enables much greater control over what information is made available, even within the organisation. Well-rounded security strategy An RFID approach can enable a wellrounded security strategy, blending in location, time, user credentials, application access, and information type, while bringing together all aspects of security that an organisation needs – not just at a simplistic IT level. As an extra layer of security, the RFID signal can be encrypted, making the solution much more secure than a password or PIN system. The transponder signal cannot be easily cloned or hacked, and employees are much less likely to share their corporate ID card or phone than a printer password or PIN. Even when a card is mislaid or stolen, it can be easily deleted from the access database, and the physical card will be inactive. Printing remains a key element of the IT infrastructure, and organisations must treat print security as any other end point on the network. RFID access control and mobile authentication will enable IT teams to balance security with productivity in today’s evolving hybrid workplace. However, for many organisations, securing a diverse printer fleet that may include multiple brands, legacy devices, and a patchwork of software and drivers can be challenging. The risk is exacerbated in today’s distributed hybrid work environments, where MFPs are shared among more users, sometimes in settings that involve more than one company or are away from standard controllable locations, such as in an employee’s home. The hybrid work environment has expanded the exploitable attack surface, and multiple layers of security are required to protect it from external and internal threats. Yet, print security remains low on the agenda compared to top priorities such as cloud and email. This lack of priority – or complacency – is leaving businesses vulnerable – given that paper is one of the least secure mediums in the workplace. While device attacks are rare, the likelihood of paper documents being accessed by unauthorised recipients is increasingly prevalent. Quocirca’s Global Print Security Landscape 2023 report revealed that, on average, 27 per cent of IT security incidents relate to paper documents, and overall, 61 per cent of organisations have experienced a paperrelated data breach. RFID technology According to Quocirca, secure printing is a key element of a broader multi-layered, integrated approach to print security. To find out more, please visit www.quocirca.com to download a complimentary report, sponsored by Elatec.
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