Photo Imaging CONNECT: Cybersecurity and privacy take center stage in imaging industry

Cybersecurity and data privacy are no longer just IT concerns—they are core business issues that directly impact trust, brand reputation, and long-term sustainability in the photo imaging industry. That was the central message from Jordan Moore, founder and CEO of Riseilient and a privacy advisor to several imaging companies, during the recent Photo Imaging CONNECT session focused on cybersecurity risk and customer trust.

Moore emphasized that the imaging ecosystem—from photographers and labs to software providers and retailers—shares a common responsibility: protecting customer data. Imaging companies often store sensitive information, including personal images, family memories, and customer contact data. Because that data flows through multiple partners across the supply chain, protecting it requires industry-wide vigilance.

“Privacy and security aren’t just IT tasks,” Moore explained. “They are smart business decisions that help manage risk and maintain customer trust.”

She noted the global risk landscape is shifting rapidly. According to emerging research from the World Economic Forum, cyberattacks, AI misuse, and misinformation are among the fastest-growing global risks. For imaging businesses, these threats translate into real operational and reputational challenges.

Moore stressed privacy and security, while related, serve different roles. Privacy focuses on how customer data is collected, used, and retained. Security focuses on the technical systems that protect that data. Together, they form the foundation of customer trust.

One of the most overlooked risks, she said, lies in the vendor ecosystem. Many imaging companies rely on labs, cloud providers, software vendors, and other partners to deliver services. However, a breach anywhere in that chain can impact every company connected to it.

“We are only as strong as the weakest link in our vendor chain,” Moore warned, sharing an example where a lab partner’s cyber breach affected multiple companies in the imaging ecosystem.

Data retention is another critical issue. Moore explained companies often keep images indefinitely without evaluating the associated risk. In one case study, a company discovered that retaining images older than two years generated minimal revenue but significantly increased data-security exposure. After implementing a two-year deletion policy, the company actually saw an increase in customer orders as clients rushed to download or purchase images before deletion.

Moore also highlighted several practical steps imaging businesses should take immediately:

• Enable multi-factor authentication across systems
• Use password managers and eliminate password sharing
• Map how customer data moves through the business
• Vet vendors for security compliance
• Delete unnecessary data to reduce risk

Perhaps most importantly, companies must prepare for incidents before they happen.

“Cyber breaches are not a question of if, but when,” Moore said. “Having a response plan and practicing it can make the difference between a manageable event and a brand-damaging crisis.”

Her closing message resonated strongly with the audience: In the imaging industry, businesses are not just delivering photos—they are safeguarding memories. Protecting that responsibility requires treating cybersecurity as a core strategic priority.