Printers are the neglected child of IT infrastructure, coming to mind only when the toner runs out.
They often aren’t included in security protocols, which results in a surprising number of vulnerabilities. But ConnectWise aims to change that through a managed print service in partnership with Sharp Electronics, announced earlier this year.
Vince Janelli
The offering integrates print security and management with the ConnectWise Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), thereby adding 24/7 monitoring, centralized threat visibility, and analysis. It leverages security features built into Sharp’s multifunction printers like admin logins, password management, firmware updates, and intrusion detection, said Vince Janelli, Sharp associate vice president, software product management.
“The print security service from ConnectWise collects this information and analyzes it against an entire ecosystem of threat intelligence feeds, enabling MSPs to provide customers with clear and concise security risk feedback and remediation.”
MSPs also get real-time alerts of suspicious activity, prompting them to activate a response. In terms of security, the service elevates printers to the same status as other devices on the network.
“Printer security should be taken seriously because their web interfaces can act as gateways to company data,” said Drew Sanford, vice president of global security operations at ConnectWise.
Louella Fernandes
Print-related breaches
A 2023 study by market research firm Quocirca found that 61% of organizations surveyed had suffered a print-related breach in the previous 12 months. “The average financial cost of these breaches was $935,000,” said Quocirca CEO Louella Fernandes.
When printers are viewed as mere office devices, they often aren’t included in security protocols. Even when companies leverage managed print services, they don’t always integrate them with “other broader IT security systems, such as SIEM, zero trust, and full endpoint management,” Fernandes noted.
ConnectWise and Sharp are exploring further collaborations, including integration with the ConnectWise PSA to streamline the MSP’s workflow, Sanford added.
“We remain focused on enhancing our partnership through future projects. This is just the beginning.”
Image: iStock
