In the digital age, the focus on cybersecurity often overshadows the critical importance of physical document security. While hackers pose a significant threat online, an unsecured printed document can be just as dangerous. PaperCut’s solutions ensure that your print environment is secure, not just against digital threats but also against the risks posed by physical document mishandling.
What would it mean to your workplace if your secrets were revealed? Not by a hacker, mind you, but by a humble sheet of paper.
That won’t happen to you, you say? What about your finance admin leaving payslips forgotten on the printer? Yes, it happens.
The Overlooked Risks of Physical Document Security
Common Scenarios of Document Exposure
Imagine the repercussions if sensitive information were left exposed not due to a hacking incident but through an overlooked printout on a printer tray. History shows us numerous instances where physical documents have been misplaced or unsecured, leading to severe breaches. From government officials accidentally leaving classified files on a train to a finance admin forgetting payslips on a printer, the potential for accidental information exposure is vast.
You can implement the tightest print policies imaginable using a PaperCut solution, but if you don’t have a policy about how you and your team manage paper that’s been printed, you have a potential security weakness.
Implementing Secure Printing Practices with PaperCut
Safeguarding Every Sheet of Paper
To combat these risks, implementing secure printing practices is essential. PaperCut software offer several layers of security to ensure that documents are protected throughout their lifecycle:
- Secure Print Release: This feature holds documents in a print queue until the user authenticates themselves at the printer. This simple step reduces the chances of documents being left unattended and accessible to unintended viewers.
- Watermarking and Digital Signatures: By marking documents with identifiable information, you can trace any leaked document back to its source while deterring unauthorized sharing.
- Print Logs and Archiving: Monitoring who prints what and when adds a layer of security, enabling you to spot potential breaches before they escalate.
Educating Teams on Document Security Best Practices
Cultural Changes for Better Security
Beyond technological solutions, educating employees about the risks associated with physical documents is crucial. Encouraging staff to consider whether a document needs to be printed at all is a first step towards reducing unnecessary printouts. Regular training sessions can reinforce the importance of retrieving documents immediately after printing and ensuring sensitive information is handled correctly.
How secure is your workplace?
Find out whether you have a print security problem.
Check what documents are sitting in the recycle bin next to your printer. Is there anything in there that could potentially get into the wrong hands? Why was it printed and abandoned?
Can you educate your employees to take an extra second to question whether something needs to be printed at all?
Document security encompasses more than just safeguarding against digital threats. Securing physical documents is equally important in today’s environment, where information is both a valuable asset and a potential liability. With PaperCut’s comprehensive print management solutions, organizations can protect themselves against hackers and the often-overlooked dangers of physical document mishandling.
