While banks, credit unions, and financial planning firms invest heavily in securing their IT infrastructure, one often-overlooked vulnerability lies within their print environments. Many institutions fail to realize that printers, copiers, and multifunction devices are potential gateways for cyber threats. Managed Print Services (MPS) providers, like Access Systems, offer more than just print management; they provide an essential layer of security that safeguards sensitive financial data.

Understanding the Hidden Risks

Modern printers and copiers are sophisticated devices that contain internal hard drives, store cached data, and are often connected to a company’s network. These machines are vulnerable to cyberattacks in much the same way as computers. Cybercriminals can hack these devices to retrieve stored documents, intercept print jobs, or even use them as entry points to infiltrate the broader network.

In a financial environment, the risk is even greater. Sensitive documents such as loan applications, contracts, customer account details, and employee records are regularly processed through these devices. Without proper security measures the information could fall into the wrong hands, leading to financial loss, regulatory violations, and reputational damage.

The Advantages of Partnering with a Managed Print Services Provider

Comprehensive Device Security: MPS providers implement robust security protocols that protect your devices from unauthorized access. This includes hard drive encryption, secure boot processes, and regular firmware updates to close security gaps. Ensuring regularly scheduled firmware updates are applied to your fleet will significantly improve the odds of avoiding a security breach. Partnering with Access Systems as your Managed Print Services provider will also allow you to responsibly plan for future upgrades & stay ahead of the ever-evolving security threats.

Regulatory Compliance Support: Financial institutions are subject to strict regulations concerning data protection. An MPS provider ensures that your print processes comply with industry standards like GLBA, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS, reducing the risk of costly penalties.

User Authentication and Access Controls: MPS providers can establish user authentication systems, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access print, scan, or copy functions. These systems can be tailored to restrict access based on job roles, further reducing exposure to sensitive information.

Data Encryption and Secure Print Release: Your MPS provider should ensure that the equipment being placed on your network uses data encryption to safeguard the information that is temporarily stored on the printer’s hard drives. This ensures that sensitive information is inaccessible to unauthorized individuals. MPS providers can also provide secure print release features that require users to authenticate at the device before documents are printed. This eliminates the risk of sensitive documents being left unattended.

Network Security Integration: An MPS provider integrates print security into your existing network protection plan. From firewalls to secure IP addresses, they ensure your print environment is as secure as the rest of your IT infrastructure.

Monitoring and Reporting: MPS providers continually monitor the print environment for unusual activities and potential threats. Regular reporting and analytics help in identifying vulnerabilities and optimizing security settings.

Addressing Common Threats

An unprotected printer can easily become an entry point for malicious actors. Here’s how MPS providers help mitigate key risks:

• Preventing Hard Drive Theft: MPS providers take measures to secure and wipe printer hard drives before decommissioning or transferring devices, ensuring no residual data remains.
  
  
• Blocking Unauthorized Access: With proper security configurations, MPS providers protect against unauthorized data retrieval, rerouted print jobs, and malicious storage of files on the device.
  
  
• Guarding Against Malware: Printers can be used to host malicious files, putting your institution at risk. MPS providers set up stringent controls to prevent these attacks and ensure that any suspicious activity is quickly detected and neutralized.

Safeguarding Your Institution’s Reputation

The financial industry operates on trust. Any data breach can have severe consequences, from financial losses to damage to your institution’s reputation. By working with a Managed Print Services provider, financial institutions can close the security gaps in their print environments, ensuring that their clients’ sensitive information remains protected.

We Can Help

Cyber threats continue to evolve, so securing every aspect of your institution’s infrastructure is crucial. Managed Print Services are no longer just about cost savings and efficiency; they are an integral part of a comprehensive data security strategy. By partnering with a reliable MPS provider like Access Systems, financial institutions can enhance their security posture, mitigate risks, and maintain the trust of their clients. Our team excels in cyber threat intelligence and can install security features that will stop your information from being stolen and keep outside threats out.

Explore our Managed Print Services page and contact us for additional support and services.