Alan Mason managing director Ricoh IrelandRicoh Ireland has just released new research by analysts Quocirca* that reveals businesses are taking unnecessary risks by employing a disjointed approach to document security. The research revealed that nearly 70%of businesses surveyed suffered one or more accidental printing-related data breaches but significantly only 15% were concerned about data loss through printers or multi-functional products.
The Quocirca survey was undertaken recently with 125 IT managers of large enterprise organisations across Europe. The top security concerns for IT managers which came out of the interviews were:
- Corporate email (57%)
- Web mail (42%)
- Laptops (40%)
- USB memory sticks (31%)
- Smart phones (25%) and tablets (21%).
Interestingly, all of these feature ahead of print as more important security concerns.
Print security risks are varied and data leaks include unauthorised access to documents in output trays, recovery of information stored on hard disks and access to print jobs in network queues. With many print requests now originating from Smart phones and tablets, as well as PCs, it’s obvious why businesses need to understand the important role that print security plays in the protection of confidential corporate information.
The findings align with a study commissioned by Ricoh where 67% of businesses across Europe rated security as a top priority. The study also highlighted the fact that only 43% are able to restrict access to all electronic confidential business critical documents. In essence more than 50% of businesses do not know who is accessing, editing, printing or copying all their valuable information.
Quocirca encourages organisations to include print security within a wider information security strategy. Analyst, Louella Fernandes said, "Our research shows that an organisation's document efficiency and security can only be as strong as its weakest link. Given the continued importance of document management among businesses, the issue of print security can no longer be overlooked. Print security demands a comprehensive approach, combining education, policy, and technology and businesses should look for a print service provider with strong security credentials to entrust with their business critical information."
Alan Mason, Managing Director of Ricoh Ireland supports this view and said:
"The key to managing the far-reaching impacts of business critical document processes is to ensure that there is a full end-to-end review across the organisation. Reviewing knowledge sharing, productivity and security as isolated components will not result in the optimum improvements inside European businesses. It is essential to look at them together and review the processes, people and technology in combination.
"Just as having a relaxed approach to document security can have far-reaching negative impacts for a business, optimising business critical document processes with the right tools and training can result in a wide range of benefits beyond security. With information able to flow more easily around an organisation, businesses will enjoy improved efficiency, flexibility, employee productivity and client service - with the peace of mind that their information is secure."
Businesses can also take part in an on-line poll to reveal the biggest concerns about their own document security processes at
www.ricoh-europe.com/thoughtleadership
To find out more about security go to
www.ricoh-europe.com/securitymatters
About Ricoh Ireland
Ricoh designs, develops and manufactures a complete range of print and document management, hardware, software and services which are tailored to meet individual customer needs. The company’s Irish headquarters are in Glasnevin, Dublin, Ireland.
*About Quocirca
Quocirca is a research and analysis company with a primary focus on IT decision-makers in the European market. Much of the content Quocirca produces is based on its own primary research. Further information can be obtained at
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