Nowadays, large-scale cyber-attacks are a growing risk to networked devices posed by external hackers.

The recent ransomware attack on the NHS caused severe disruption to hospitals and GP surgeries across England and Scotland, highlighting the need for companies to take their cyber security seriously.

I recently considered the sort of risks that network devices pose internally. This week, I’m looking at the growing risk to networked devices posed by external hackers. Connected devices with web browsers are a great entry point to a company’s network and all the confidential customer and business data held within.

Whether your business is a major brand or an SME, the consequences can be the same – a direct impact to the business, customer concern over a breach of confidential data and an incalculable damage to customers trust in a brand, that can rock its reputation for years.

In my opinion, there is a reason why organisations place a lower priority on print security. Simply put, print as a business function is often overlooked. Companies have only recently started to wake up to the fact that unmanaged print can become a hidden – yet considerable – cost to an organisation.

If print costs are only starting to become a realisation for many companies, then it may take even longer for businesses to appreciate the security vulnerabilities that print and print devices can expose them to.

Another factor could be the fact that cyber security is typically viewed as being a computer or network problem. The data content of these systems are considered extremely valuable to hackers, but all it takes is an innocuous printer in the corner of the office to become a gateway to these robustly protected assets. Therefore, businesses need to realise that it is just as important to protect the potential gateway as it is to protect the assets that cybercriminals want to steal.

One of my concerns centres on whether businesses are simply unaware of the security risks that printers pose. I believe it is Xeretec’s role to ensure that print security is an integral part of our clients IT security policies. This is where our long history of working with clients in sectors where data confidentiality is vital, such as financial services, legal and healthcare, pays dividends.

My colleagues and I are able to apply our security knowledge and experience to ensure that print security is an integral part of a company’s overall security policy. We regularly work with clients to review their device security to ensure that it continues to be fit for purpose. As well as this, we’re able to offer a combined security system from Xerox and McAfee to protect devices against attacks and prevent threats to their confidential data.

Whilst no one knows what 2017 holds, one thing is for sure – hackers will remain as active as ever. Talk to Xeretec to ensure that your devices are as well protected as they can be against internal and external risks. Between us, we can make hackers lives harder whilst protecting your company’s data, brand and reputation.

For more information, contact your local account manager on 0750 000 4563.

Xeretec – Xerox’s largest MPS reseller – has acquired Landscape Group, the UK’s most accredited HP MPS and Solutions Specialist, in a move that creates a new managed print powerhouse.

The acquisition brings together two of the biggest resellers of two of the world’s largest print brands, offering new and existing customers the expanded Group’s technical knowledge, toolsets, service capabilities and market expertise.

In addition to uniting the companies’ skill sets, the customer experience is enhanced too, giving them access to an even broader range of advanced A4 and A3 multifunction devices from both Xerox and HP. Landscape brings with it exciting new service offerings, including HP’s Device as a Service (DaaS). This combines innovative devices, lifecycle services and HP’s expertise into an all-inclusive, HP-managed solution – with per-seat, per-month cost certainty for customers.

The companies share core values of customer care, transparency, service delivery, value for money and commitment to long-term relationships, benefitting new and existing customers alike. The companies expect the acquisition to drive additional customer demand and they are both recruiting now in order to upscale their sales and support operations, creating new employment opportunities across both businesses. The acquisition ensures greater scope for Xeretec and Landscape employees to develop their career within a growing, secure, successful and dynamic organisation.

Commenting on the acquisition, Steve Hawkins, Xeretec’s Chief Executive, said: “The game-changing acquisition of Landscape Group is a transformational moment for Xerox, HP, our customers and our staff. Xeretec will continue to consolidate and develop its longstanding commitment to the Xerox brand, building on its exceptional track record of success. This best-of-breed acquisition plays to the strengths of both respected brands and both resellers, while introducing new complementary HP devices and value-added services like DaaS to even more customers. With the potential it offers customers and staff, we are thrilled to see the Landscape Group become a Xeretec Group company, and we warmly welcome its team to the existing Xeretec family.”

Founded in 1996, the independently-owned Landscape Group’s engineers and sales team are specialists in the full range of HP printers and HP Managed Print Services. It is one of HP’s
Platinum Partners for Managed Print and it is also an HP Authorised Service Delivery Partner. Following the acquisition, the Landscape Group brand will remain and become a Xeretec Group company and it will continue to be based at its location in East Hampshire. To ensure consistency and assurance for its customers, all customer relationships, service and support will be served uninterrupted by the Landscape Group’s staff.

Speaking about the acquisition, David Smith, Landscape’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “This announcement represents a real milestone for our current and future customers, who are, without doubt, the most important part of any business. But it also brings new opportunities for our staff and partners. By combining Landscape’s 20 years plus of dedicated HP expertise, the scale and nationwide reach of Xeretec and HP’s impressive new entrance into the A3 MFP market place, customers now have an obvious route to investigate what a $50BN “new comer” can offer to enhance their IT infrastructure.”

George Brasher, Managing Director of HP in the UK & Ireland, added: “Landscape has been a highly valued HP partner for many years and we congratulate both companies on what is an exciting acquisition. It comes at a pivotal time for HP, as we set out to disrupt and reinvent the A3 copier space and provides the perfect foundation for Landscape to play a major and highly successful role in that.”

This in no way changes Xeretec’s core relationship with Xerox, and the acquisition of Landscape means the Xeretec Group with Xerox and HP in its portfolio is now even more favourably positioned to effectively meet the changing print needs of a diverse range of customers across multiple industries; scaling from SMEs to corporates, whether UK based or located overseas.

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