As times have changed, businesses have become more flexible, more remote, and more connected than ever. With so much change, it comes as no surprise that things can occasionally be overlooked and be left behind.
Today’s business environment often sees security perimeters extended more than before 😬
Data moves across laptops, smartphones, home Wi-Fi, cloud apps and personal devices…to name a few.
And risk is introduced every time data is moved ⚠️
With all the latest technology and efficiency tools, it’s easy to forget that printers are part of the perimeter too.
And they are still one of the security gaps most often neglected.
In fact, research shows that more than half of businesses experienced data loss through a printer last year.
Not from anything necessarily careless. But because printers are endpoints.
They connect to the network and store data temporarily. Doing their tasks quietly in the background. Often with settings which haven’t been reviewed in years.
It’s like putting bars on your windows, but leaving the back door of the house open 🏠🔓
Attackers know that modern printers connect to the internet…and they exploit that.
Many businesses realize that, but more than a third of them say securing printers in a remote/hybrid environment is one of their biggest challenges.
With only a small percentage fully adopting zero-trust security for their print infrastructure.
But printers can become a strength if handled properly.
Each time a document is printed, copied, or scanned, it passes multiple points where its information may be accessed or intercepted.
By using the right hardware, the right software, and the right controls, you can fortify your printers. Instead of them being an exposed side door.
How do you achieve strong print security?
💡 Multi-layered protection. Not just login badges but verifying the person is at the location they claim to be.
💡 Intelligent MFA that cross-checks system activity with printer access.
💡 Monitor the environment constantly with AI to adjust settings and block threats automatically.
💡 Have full visibility to identify where data lives, how it moves and who accesses it.
This is where AI can really help.
It can continually monitor the network around the printers, identify unusual activity, and be an extra set of eyes for the IT team.
Print security and business security are inseparable.
Not addressing it leaves a hole in your defences.
Strengthening it closes off a vulnerability that attackers have relied on for years.
👉 When was the last time security settings were reviewed on your printers?
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