The Rising Threat of Printer and Copier Cyber Attacks: How to Protect Your Business

In today’s increasingly connected world, printers and copiers have evolved beyond simple output devices. Many are now networked, multifunctional devices that manage critical business processes, handle sensitive data, and even interface with cloud services. However, this evolution has also made them attractive targets for cybercriminals. As organizations prioritize securing servers, desktops, and mobile devices, printers and copiers often slip under the radar, providing a weak link in the security chain.

This post explores the growing threat of printer and copier attacks, why these devices are being targeted, and how businesses can effectively mitigate the risks.

Many businesses don’t realize that their office printers and copiers are small computers with built-in storage, operating systems, and connectivity to the broader network. This makes them vulnerable to the same kinds of attacks that affect other networked devices.

Recent years have seen a rise in printer and copier-related security breaches, including:

The targeting of printers and copiers by hackers stems from several factors:

The good news is that businesses can protect themselves from these threats by implementing some key security measures. Here’s how to safeguard your print infrastructure:

Printers, like any other network device, require regular updates. Ensure that your IT team or managed print service provider schedules routine firmware updates and security patches to address known vulnerabilities.

One of the simplest yet most critical steps is changing the default username and password on all printers and copiers. Use strong, complex passwords and consider implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) where possible.

Restrict access to printer management interfaces to authorized personnel only. Ensure that printers and copiers are segmented from other critical network infrastructure using Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs). Only allow trusted devices to communicate with printers, and disable unused protocols and ports.

Enable encryption for all data that passes through or is stored on printers and copiers. This will prevent unauthorized parties from accessing sensitive information, even if the device is compromised.

Use print job authentication to ensure that only authorized users can retrieve documents. Features such as pull printing, which requires users to authenticate themselves at the device before a print job is released, can help prevent unauthorized access to printed documents.

Regularly audit your printer logs to monitor for suspicious activity. Many modern printers can generate reports and alerts for unauthorized access attempts or unusual behavior. This proactive monitoring can help you detect and respond to attacks more quickly.

If managing printer security in-house is a challenge, consider partnering with DEX Imaging, a nationwide independent managed print service (MPS) provider. We offer comprehensive security solutions that include monitoring, updating, and securing your entire print environment.

Printers and copiers are vital components of any business, but they’re often overlooked from a cybersecurity perspective. As the number of cyberattacks targeting these devices continues to rise, it’s crucial for businesses to recognize the threat and implement robust security measures. By keeping firmware updated, enforcing strong access controls, encrypting data, and monitoring printer activity, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of a costly breach.

In an era where every connected device is a potential entry point for hackers, no aspect of your IT infrastructure should be left unsecured — and that includes your printers and copiers.