By Kevin Box – Function4
In 2025, businesses face an evolving cybersecurity landscape, yet one overlooked vulnerability continues to persist—office printers. Whether you run a law firm, a school district, or a manufacturing facility, your printers could be the weakest link in your network. In this article, we highlight the risks and actionable steps to protect your business.
Why Printer Security Matters
Modern printers function as connected devices, storing sensitive data, handling network requests, and transmitting information online. This connectivity make printers prime targets for hackers seeking to infiltrate your systems. From data theft to network breaches, the consequences of leaving printers unprotected can be severe, including fines for non-compliance and operational downtime.
Top Printer Security Risks
- Unauthorized Access – Printers without proper access controls can be exploited, allowing attackers to access stored data.
- Network Vulnerabilities – Hackers can use unsecured printers as entry points into broader systems.
- Data Breaches – Sensitive files can be intercepted during transmission if not properly encrypted.
- Malware Infections – Printers can serve as launchpads for spreading malicious software across networks.
- Compliance Issues – Organizations handling regulated data face penalties if breaches occur.
5 Essential Steps to Secure Your Printers
- Enforce Access Controls
- Use PINs, passwords, and biometric authentication to limit access.
- Regularly update credentials to minimize risk.
- Secure Network Connections
- Enable WPA3 encryption for Wi-Fi.
- Disable WPS and unused ports to close vulnerabilities.
- Encrypt Data Transmission
- Use SSL/TLS protocols to secure data in transit.
- Deploy VPNs to protect remote connections.
- Update Firmware and Software
- Regularly install manufacturer patches to address vulnerabilities.
- Automate updates where possible.
- Monitor and Audit Usage
- Set up firewalls and intrusion detection systems.
- Review activity logs to identify suspicious behavior.
Industry-Specific Considerations
Oil & Gas: Focus on encrypting data and securing remote sites with VPNs and firewalls.
K-12 Education: Use authentication controls and centralized IT management to protect student data.
Law Firms: Ensure compliance by encrypting sensitive documents and limiting access.
Manufacturers: Isolate printer networks with VLANs and disable unused protocols to prevent IP theft.
Service Firms: Secure distributed teams with VPNs, firewalls, and cache-clearing policies.
Higher Education: Enforce multi-factor authentication and regularly audit printer logs to prevent breaches.
The Bottom Line
Printers are no longer just office tools—they are endpoints that require the same level of security as servers and workstations. By implementing robust printer security protocols, organizations can safeguard their data, ensure compliance, and avoid costly breaches.
Are your printers secure? Contact us today to learn more about Managed Print Services and how we can help protect your operations from emerging threats.