Managed IT Tips: Printer Security vs. Network Security

Security is getting more and more complicated as time goes on. There are different types of security, different solutions that must be combined for total protection, and, of course, a whole host of online and offline threats that you need to keep up with. Today, we'll help you sort out one big security question that many companies have: what is the difference between printer security and network security?

Integrated Security

Here's one thing you need to remember about security: it's best when it's integrated. If you work with a managed IT services provider, you'll find that their priority is always to combine security solutions and protect everything at once. Why is this? Well, the truth is that different "types" of security often have a lot of overlap. Take, for example, printer security and network security. Network security involves good online habits, strong firewalls, and savvy use of mobile devices--but since your printers benefit from all of these things (and communicate with your network and your mobile devices), printer security can sometimes be viewed as one part of network security as a whole. It shouldn't be printer security versus network security; it should be printer and network security.

Here are a few "integrated security" solutions to help you get started:

1. Password protection. Strong passwords should never be anything easy to guess, and they should be changed regularly. Both your printer and your network should be password-protected.
2. Updates. Updates are a crucial part of defending your printers, since most updates are designed to eliminate weaknesses and vulnerabilities in the software.
3. Encryption. When you use encryption to protect your printer's data, you're essentially creating a safety net--because even if hackers gain access to the machine, they won't be able to use your information.

Want to know more about integrated security? Interested in getting help from a managed IT services provider? Contact us today!