Protecting the Office “Smart Printer” from Becoming a Network Back Door

Article summary: Weak network printer security lets attackers use these overlooked devices to move deeper into a business network or pull stored documents straight off the machine. A short list of configuration and maintenance habits closes most of that exposure without replacing any equipment.

Ask most business owners about cybersecurity and they will mention phishing emails, ransomware or weak passwords. Few think about the office printer.

That is a mistake. Modern office printers are network-connected computers with their own operating systems, internal storage and direct access to your business network. Many also store print jobs, process scanned documents and communicate with cloud services.

If they aren’t secured like every other device on your network, they can become an easy entry point for attackers. That is why network printer security deserves the same attention as your computers, servers and firewalls.

Why Printers Make an Attractive Target

Network printers sit on the same network as your servers, employee computers and shared files but they often receive far less security attention than any of them. Many ship with remote management features enabled by default and allow administrators to manage the device over the network. If those features are not properly secured, they can create another avenue for unauthorized access.

Keeping printers secure can also be challenging because their firmware (the built-in software that controls the device’s hardware) is often overlooked. While businesses routinely update laptops and servers, printer firmware may go months or even years without being patched which leaves known vulnerabilities without being addressed.

Part of the problem is ownership. Printers are often purchased by office managers or facilities teams focused on cost, reliability and print quality rather than cybersecurity. Once installed, responsibility for maintaining them isn’t always clearly assigned which makes it easy for firmware updates, configuration reviews and security settings to fall through the cracks.

What a Compromised Printer Actually Exposes

Stored Documents on the Device Itself

Many business printers also store copies of scanned documents, faxes and print jobs on internal storage. Contracts, tax records, medical information and other sensitive files can remain there long after they have been printed or scanned and sometimes for the entire life of the device if the storage is never cleared.

A Path Deeper Into the Network

Once an attacker controls a printer, it can serve as a foothold to reach other systems nearby on networks that are not segmented into separate zones.

Only 36% of IT and security decision-makers report applying printer firmware updates promptly according to HP Wolf Security which increases the amount of time printers remain exposed to known security flaws.

HP Wolf Security also found that only 38% of organizations involve procurement, IT and security teams in defining printer security standards before devices are purchased which allows security considerations to be overlooked from the very beginning of the printer lifecycle.

Recent Security Incidents Show the Risk Is Real

Recent research from Rapid7 uncovered a critical authentication bypass vulnerability affecting hundreds of Brother printer models and devices from several other manufacturers. Brother acknowledged that the most serious flaw could not be fully corrected through a firmware update because it required changes to the manufacturing process for future devices.

Industry surveys have highlighted the problem for years. Quocirca’s 2024 Print Security Landscape report found that 67% of organizations had experienced a print-related data loss incident during the preceding 12 months which illustrates that printer security has long been an overlooked area of cyber risk.

Closing the Gap Without Replacing Your Fleet

Improving printer security doesn’t usually require replacing your existing hardware. In most cases, it comes down to applying the same security practices you already use for the rest of your network.

• Change the default administrator password as soon as a printer is installed. 
• Apply firmware updates on a regular schedule instead of waiting for a problem. 
• Place printers on a separate network segment from systems that store sensitive business data. 
• Disable remote management features that your business doesn’t use. 
• Configure printers to automatically remove stored print jobs after a short retention period. 
• Include printers in routine security reviews alongside computers, servers and other network-connected devices.

Treat printers like any other business endpoint. They should have an assigned owner, receive regular updates and be reviewed as part of your organization’s ongoing cybersecurity program. When printers are maintained with the same discipline as the rest of your IT environment, they are far less likely to become an overlooked security gap.

Ready to Bring Your Printers into Your Security Plan?

Every device connected to your network deserves the same level of security including the printer down the hall. Treating printers as managed endpoints instead of office appliances helps eliminate an often-overlooked gap in your cybersecurity strategy.

Sound Computers can help you assess your print environment, strengthen printer security settings and incorporate every network-connected device into a proactive IT management and cybersecurity program. The result is a more secure and easier-to-manage network without unnecessary blind spots.

To schedule a consultation, call us at (860) 577-8060, reach us online or email info@soundcomputers.net.

Article FAQs

Can hackers really target office printers?

Yes. Modern office printers are network-connected computers with their own operating systems, storage and management interfaces. Like any other networked device, they can contain security vulnerabilities that attackers may exploit if they aren’t properly secured. A compromised printer can expose sensitive documents or provide another path into your business network.

What is network printer security?

Network printer security is the practice of securing printers the same way you secure computers, servers and other network-connected devices. That includes applying firmware updates, using strong administrator credentials, restricting network access and protecting the sensitive information printers store and process.

How often should printer firmware be updated?

Printer firmware should be reviewed as part of your regular patch management process and updated whenever the manufacturer releases relevant security or stability updates. Checking for firmware updates on a routine schedule helps reduce the amount of time known vulnerabilities remain unpatched.