When you think of cybersecurity, what’s the first thing that pops into your mind? Probably computers, servers, maybe even mobile devices. But what about your printer or photocopier?

Surprising as it may seem, your office printer is more than just a machine that spits out paper — it’s a computer in its own right, complete with a hard drive, memory, and connectivity options. Just like any other computer in your business, it’s vulnerable to security risks, and if you’re not careful, it can be the gateway hackers use to infiltrate your entire network.

At Midrepro, we know that today’s printers and photocopiers do a lot more than they used to. They’ve evolved from simple devices that put ink on paper to multifunctional business hubs that can copy, scan, fax, and even store sensitive files. While this capability is really useful, it comes with increased responsibility, especially when it comes to protecting your business data.

Why security matters for your printer

You might wonder, “Why would anyone want to hack a printer?” The truth is, printers are often overlooked when it comes to cybersecurity, making them an easy target for hackers. If your printer is connected to your business’s network, and by extension, the internet, it becomes a sneaky entry point for anyone looking to gain unauthorised access to your systems.

Consider what’s stored on your printer’s hard drive. Every document you print, scan, or copy is temporarily saved there. If your printer isn’t secure, anyone who gains access to it could potentially retrieve these documents, which might include sensitive client information, financial records, or internal communications. The damage from a data breach can be devastating, leading to loss of customer trust, financial penalties, and even legal action, particularly if you’re dealing with data protected under regulations like GDPR.

This is why it’s essential to treat your photocopier with the same level of security as any other computer in your office. Protecting these devices means protecting the data they hold and the systems they connect to.

Keeping your data safe with GDPR-compliant solutions

At Midrepro, we offer software packages that are fully compliant with GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) to ensure your data is always protected. Our solutions are designed to safeguard your printer’s hard drive from security risks, meaning your sensitive information stays secure, whether it’s in use or at rest.

One of the key features of our software is its ability to encrypt the data stored on your printer or photocopier’s hard drive. This means that even if a hacker does manage to access the device, the data will be unreadable without the proper encryption key. Additionally, our software includes features that automatically delete stored data after a set period, further reducing the risk of a data breach.

Managing access with card authentication

Another important aspect of securing your printer fleet is controlling who has access to what. With card authentication systems, you can manage permissions for each person in your business. For instance, some employees might only need access to black-and-white printing, while others might have full access to colour printing, scanning, and copying.

This system doesn’t just enhance security; it also helps with budgeting and resource management – a double win! By restricting access to certain functions, you can reduce unnecessary printing costs and ensure that your resources are used in the most effective way possible. Plus, card authentication adds another layer of security by requiring physical access to the printer, making it harder for unauthorised users to exploit your devices.

The importance of fleet management

The more printers you have, the more entry points hackers have into your system – and we all know that increased numbers make it a bit trickier to keep track of everything. Thats why printer fleet management is so important and helpful. Printer fleet management software allows you to monitor the status of your devices, manage updates, and implement security protocols across all your machines from a single interface.

This centralised approach not only makes maintenance that much easier, but it also ensures that security patches and updates are applied promptly, reducing the risk of vulnerabilities being exploited. Whether you’re managing a single office or multiple locations, our fleet management solutions give you the control you need to keep your devices — and your data — safe and sound.

Want to hear more about our printers and how we can help you to keep yours secure? Talk to our team today for a friendly, no-obligation chat.