While you’re focused on securing your network against obvious threats like phishing attacks, ransomware, or firewall breaches, cybercriminals are slipping in through the least expected route: your office printers.
Imagine you’ve got a high-end security system for your house: Motion sensors, cameras, smart locks on every door. You’ve even got a guard dog. But out back, there's a rickety old gate swinging open in the wind. No lock. No light. Just a quiet, unnoticed way in.
Guess where the intruders are heading?
That forgotten gate could be your printer. While you’re focused on securing your network against obvious threats like phishing attacks, ransomware, or firewall breaches, cybercriminals are slipping in through the least expected route: your office printers.
Modern printers are no longer just printing. They’re storing data, sending information across networks, and often sitting wide open to anyone who knows where to look. If you’re not locking them down, you're practically inviting threats inside.
Let’s take a look at the 8 biggest printer security concerns today, and why ignoring them could cost you MUCH more than just a few print jobs
Many printers connect directly to your corporate network but are often excluded from security policies. Hackers can exploit open ports or unsecured protocols to breach your environment.
Securing network connections by closing unused ports, enforcing encryption, and using secure print protocols reduces your attack surface and makes your entire network harder to compromise.
Printers often ship with default admin passwords like “admin/admin.” Many businesses forget to change them, making it easy for attackers to log in and reconfigure devices.
Changing default passwords is one of the simplest, most effective ways to block unauthorized access and protect your organization’s sensitive data.
Modern printers often store copies of scanned documents, print jobs, and user credentials on internal storage. Without controls, attackers or someone buying your old printer can access that data.
Implement encryption and secure wipe policies so sensitive documents remain confidential, even if the device is retired or resold.
Printers run embedded operating systems with known vulnerabilities. Vendors release patches, but many organizations don’t apply them, leaving devices exposed.
Keeping firmware up to date closes security gaps, protects against known exploits, and helps ensure compliance with data privacy requirements.
Without secure printing or user authentication, sensitive print jobs can sit unclaimed in output trays or even be intercepted digitally.
Secure release printing ensures only authorized users can print and collect their documents, keeping client records, HR data, and financial reports away from prying eyes.
IT teams often monitor servers, endpoints, and networks but forget printers entirely. Attackers love these blind spots.
Including printers in your security monitoring gives you a complete view of your environment. You can detect unusual traffic, unauthorized configuration changes, or malware before they turn into major breaches.
Attackers are getting more sophisticated, sometimes targeting firmware at the manufacturer level. Malicious firmware updates can turn a trusted printer into a backdoor for espionage or ransomware.
Choosing vendors with signed firmware updates and strong supply chain security practices helps ensure you’re not installing a Trojan horse in your own network.
Microsoft is rolling out Protected Print Mode in Windows 11 and newer Server versions to block older, insecure print drivers. This enforces modern Class/IPP drivers by default and disables legacy v3/v4 drivers that may contain vulnerabilities.
While this is a significant improvement for security, it can cause major disruptions if you're unprepared:
By proactively auditing your print fleet and updating drivers, you can:
Bottom line: Windows Protected Print Mode is designed to help you secure your print environment. Preparing in advance is the key to avoiding surprises.
Your printers aren’t just office equipment. They’re network endpoints that deserve the same attention as your servers and laptops. Don't to great lengths to secure your data, and forget to leave that back gate swinging open in the wind.
By addressing these 8 critical security concerns, you can:
Don’t wait for a breach to make printer security a priority. Review your environment today. Work with your IT team or managed print service provider to assess risks, close vulnerabilities, and ensure your printers remain an asset rather than a liability.
Need help securing your print environment? Let’s talk about how you can lock it down, stay compliant, and keep your data safe.