You may have a plan to protect your important data where most of your cybersecurity efforts are likely to center around the hard drives in the computers on your network, but this plan isn’t complete until you consider your multifunction printer. Few companies consider the hard drive inside one of the network’s most used machines and the amount of data it stores. A multifunction printer is equipped with a built-in hard drive that collects the information necessary to make copies and print files. If you run a busy office with lots of important documents getting printed all day, the information stored on your MFP can include sensitive data you don’t want hackers to get.

What Data Gets Stored on a Printer’s Hard Drive?

Your MFP is likely to store a copy of any documents uploaded, scanned or sent to the device for printing. In the average office, this includes important documents like invoices, bank statements, payroll information, and employee’s personal information. This copy may stay on the machine’s hard drive until you delete the stored items, or the drive becomes full.

Protecting The Data Stored on Your MFP

Keeping your printer data safe only takes a few steps. There are a few ways to make the data stored on your MFP harder for hackers to access and harder to decipher for those who may get past your defenses. The most popular methods include:

  • Encryption of the data on the drive, which makes it unusable to anyone outside your organization
  • Regular deletion of anything stored on the drive, which also helps to free up space and keep the printer working.
  • Password protecting the drive so each user has to log in before gaining access. Using authentication to track printer use not only makes it easier to pinpoint the source of a security breach, but it also creates accountability, which can lead users to cut down on excessive printing.

If you need help with your multifunction printer, contact Copy Link. Our experienced team can assist you in protecting the data stored on your multifunction printer and keeping your organization safe from hackers.