The rise of hybrid work and home offices has drastically changed the print security landscape, leading to new vulnerabilities and significant data loss for many organizations. Understanding these evolving risks is crucial for protecting sensitive information and maintaining business operations.
The research and analysis company Quocirca recently published a report on print security, surveying 531 IT decision-makers in the USA and Europe. Respondents included small to medium-sized businesses (23%), medium-sized organizations (29%), and large enterprises (47%).
Hybrid work environments introduce new security challenges because print hardware is often purchased and used outside the central IT department's oversight. This leads to reduced confidence in print infrastructure security, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises. Over the last 12 months, 68% of companies surveyed experienced data loss due to insecure printing practices.
Prior to the pandemic, backup strategies were designed for in-office workforces. Today's widespread remote work expands the threat landscape, requiring companies to rethink their print environment security. Consequently, 70% of companies anticipate increasing their print security spending in the next 12 months.
Yes, printing continues to be a vital aspect of business operations. 64% of companies state that printing will remain important, with 44% expecting an increase in office printing volume and 41% foreseeing an increase in home printing volume. This indicates that businesses cannot avoid addressing print security, even with changing work models.
The complete Quocirca Print Security Landscape 2022 study offers further insights and is available for purchase on the Quocirca website.
For more targeted guidance, our checklist helps you secure your printing practices.