One often overlooked area that is a critical component of network security is printer security. Copiers and printers are sophisticated devices capable of processing and storing vast amounts of data, making them potential targets for cyberattacks. Here are 8 essential items companies need to know about print security and the essential features to look for in a secure printer.
1. Secure Booting and Firmware Protection
Copiers and printers come with secure booting processes that ensure only authorized firmware can run on the device. Any attempt to tamper with or modify the firmware is detected and prevented. This security feature safeguards the printer from potential malware attacks.
2. Access Control and User Authentication
Access control and user authentication features enable only authorized users to access the printer’s functions and settings. This can include PIN codes, swipe cards, or biometric authentication methods. By limiting access, companies can ensure that sensitive data remains secure and that only authorized personnel can utilize the printer’s functionalities.
3. Encryption of Data
Printers often store data temporarily or permanently on their internal drives. Without proper encryption, this data is vulnerable to unauthorized access. Secure printers come with strong encryption methods that scramble data, making it unreadable to anyone without the correct decryption key.
4. Secure Printing and Pull Printing
Secure printing requires users to authenticate themselves at the printer before the document is released. Pull printing, on the other hand, enables users to send print jobs to a secure queue and then release them from any authenticated printer within the network. These features ensure that sensitive documents do not fall into the wrong hands.
5. Network Security
Printers are networked devices, and their connectivity can be exploited if not properly secured. Features like firewall protection, IP filtering, and secure network protocols protect printers from unauthorized network access and potential cyberattacks.
6. Audit Trails and Reporting
The ability to track and log all activities on a printer provides visibility into potential security risks and user behavior. Secure printers offer detailed audit trails and reporting features that enable companies to monitor and analyze usage patterns and promptly identify any suspicious activities.
7. Regular Software Updates
Manufacturers regularly release software updates to address vulnerabilities and enhance security features. Keeping the printer’s firmware and software up to date is essential to maintain protection against evolving threats.
8. End-of-life Data Wiping
When decommissioning printers, it’s vital to ensure that all data stored on the device is wiped clean. Secure printers provide features for complete data deletion, ensuring that residual information is not left behind for unauthorized access.
Printer security is a critical aspect of the overall cybersecurity strategy that often goes overlooked. By understanding the importance of printer security and investing in devices with robust security features, companies can prevent potential data breaches and safeguard their valuable information.
At Novatech, we recognize the importance of securing every aspect of your network, including printers. Our solutions focus on providing advanced security features tailored to your company’s specific needs and compliance requirements. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you ensure a secure printing environment for your business.
Written By:
Editorial TeamWhether you’re self-employed, own your own business, or are a high-achieving professional with big dreams in your industry, you want to make a good impression on people. You want your colleagues, peers, and clients to think you’re competent, confident, and professional.
Your business card is a powerful tool with which to achieve this. After all, your business card is the first thing people will see when they meet you or hear about your company. It’s important that it looks sharp and professional, and separates you from the rest of the competition!
If you don’t have a business card yet, or it’s been a while since you last updated yours, now’s the time to start thinking about how to approach your new card design. In this guide, we’re going to share 9 features that you need on your next business card to help you stand out from the crowd and make the best first impression possible.
Did you know that business cards don’t have to be horizontal? Vertical business cards are still easy-to-read and will fit into a standard business card holder or rolodex, but they look fancier and will set you apart from the crowd.
When handed a vertical business card, the reader will have to turn it on its side, automatically engaging their brain in a different way than a standard horizontal card – forcing them to pay more attention to what they’re reading. It’ll help create the impression that your business card is more important or worthy of remembering than others.
At 123Print, we stock a wide range of vertically-oriented business card templates to suit a wide range of professions and niches. For example, this bright and bold Colour Swatches design would be perfect for anyone working in the paint, textile, or fashion industry.
The whole point of a business card is to drive business to you or your company. As such, it helps if there’s a clear call to action designed into the card itself, as well as your contact details and social media handles.
A call to action is a clear request for the reader to make contact. For example:
1) Check out our new summer range today on our website!
2) Show this business card when you’re next in-store for 5% off your purchase.
3) Scan the QR code to learn more about our new product line
4) Call us today for a free quote
The goal here is to make it as appealing as possible for your business card’s recipient to contact you and do business with you – so make sure to give them an incentive to do so!
A business card should be easy for its recipient to keep hold of, and refer back to when necessary. That’s where magnetic business cards really come into their own.
Any standard business card can be set out on a table at a networking event so they catch people’s attention, but the next step is to ensure that they aren’t going to get lost, or shoved in a drawer and forgotten about.
By making your business card magnetic, your client or professional contact will be able to stick it to their refrigerator or filing cabinet, for easy access in the future. It’s also just a bit of a novelty that people will find fun, and again will help you to stand out from the crowd.
A magnetic business card shows that you’ve given some thought to how you can keep your card fresh in people’s minds after they have it in their hands. It’s also great for spreading brand recognition, as your card will be right in front of them whenever they go to the fridge to grab the milk.
If you’re not going with the magnetic option, you should at least ensure that you make full use of the space by giving your business card a double-sided design.
A business card with two sides is more professional and gives you the freedom to express yourself even further. It also lets you include extra information that wouldn’t necessarily fit on the front of the card, such as your store opening times, a tempting special offer or a fun fact about your business that might leave a lasting impression on the reader.
Sure, it might cost a little more to pay for printing on both sides, but it’s definitely worth it from a business point of view. You want to be as memorable as possible so that the recipient will be more likely to do business with you in future.
A business card should reflect who you are, what you do and the kind of image you want to project to others.
This is why you should include your photo on your business card: so that the reader can put a face to the name, and identify you as an individual, rather than a faceless corporation. You could add a photo of yourself standing in front of your shop, on the manufacturing line at work, or relaxing at home – whatever it is, make sure you look sharp and confident!
Including your photo is also a great way to inject your personality into your business card. You don’t want to go too overboard – your card should be professional and business-like, after all – but a photo of yourself can certainly help you to stand out and make a good first impression.
Your logo is the ultimate branding that defines you as an individual or company. It’s important that it appears on your business card so that people know what your business is all about before they even pick up the phone or meet you in person.
If you don’t have a logo, now is the time to think about getting one! Having a logo consistently implemented across your products and mailings will go a long way to helping your business stand out and be remembered by your clients.
Your logo must be eye-catching and impactful, so spend some time creating it – use professional designers if you don’t have any design skills yourself! It should reflect your brand personality – are you fun, flamboyant and friendly, for example? Or are you serious, slick and professional?
Including a QR code on your business card is an innovative way of making sure that your business card doesn’t go to waste after it’s been handed over.
A QR code is a great way to maximise your business card’s potential, as it eliminates the need for the recipient to type your website address into their browser. Instead, they can simply whip out their phone and follow the QR code using their camera to take them straight there. This will give them the chance to do more research on you and what you have to offer, which could increase interest in you or even lead to new business opportunities.
Simply save your QR code as an image file and you’ll be able to upload it directly to a template of your choice at 123Print. All of our business card templates can be fully customised with your own images.
Your business card should be as unique and memorable as you and your brand. If you want to make a lasting impression on someone, it needs to stand out from all of the boring, black-and-white cards out there.
A full-colour design is one way in which you can make sure that your business cards jump out and catch people’s attention. The extra costs involved in going for a higher-quality, multicoloured design will almost always be recouped through higher sales and greater profits.
A full-colour business card is the perfect place to show off your creative side, too. You might want to consider including some cool infographic or photography – anything that reflects your brand personality and makes an impression. And think carefully about your colour scheme – it should tie into your business’s overall aesthetic, and stand out in a good way (not like a sore thumb).
In today’s eco-conscious world, when most consumers are looking to shop with businesses that care about the planet, it’s vitally important that you make sure your business card is eco-friendly.
Recycled paper is a perfect option for your business cards, as it makes use of post-consumer waste which would otherwise have been thrown away. It’s just another way for you to portray yourself as being sensitive towards environmental issues and reinforce your brand image.
Using recycled materials for your business cards doesn’t mean that you have to compromise on quality. The 100% recycled cardstock that we use at 123Print is 300gsm, and looks and feels just as nice as any standard business card. And as a nice bonus, it’s slightly cheaper!
If you’re looking for professionally printed, high-quality business cards, look no further than 123Print. We offer a huge selection of business card templates which you can completely customise to reflect your unique brand personality, as well as a range of other printing products for your business and personal needs.
Visit our website today to choose the perfect design, and personalise it quickly and easily with our free-to-use online editor. Add your own artwork, photos and logos with our upload tool, and customise the font and colour scheme to your preferences.
Your order will be dispatched within 2 working days, so you’ll soon be holding your new, stand-out business cards in your hands. When it comes to getting business cards printed, there’s no need to go anywhere else!
Comments
Please Join Us to post.
0