Print Security: Is Your Printer Your Biggest Vulnerability?

October 2, 2026

Print Security may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about cybersecurity, because you might not realise your printer could be a threat.

Protecting other cyber attack priorities such as email security, antivirus software, password protection is where most organisations start, but what about your printer? The device that is connected to your network, handling yours and your customers’ sensitive information, every day.

Modern printers aren’t as simple as they used to be. Now they connect to your Wi-Fi, scan documents and store information. With this constant technology progression, cyber security needs to scale alongside.

 

What risks do you need to be aware of in Print Security?

 

-Unauthorised access

-Sensitive information being exposed

-Network access

–Malware risks

-Confidential documents being compromised

 

Having a printer doesn’t mean your business is definitely going to experience a cyberattack. But, like any device connected to your network, it requires preventative attention too.

You wouldn’t dream of not keeping staff devices up to date and make sure they use secure passwords, but when was the last time you checked your printer?

Outdated software, weak passwords or unnecessary settings could leave your printer more vulnerable than it needs to be.

That’s why keeping your printe security in check is just as important as looking after the rest of your IT.

 

 

 

Your printer may handle more sensitive information than you realise

 

Most things being printed in your business aren’t meant for everyone’s eyes. Contracts, financial records, employee information, customer data, and other sensitive materials are printed every day, often without a second thought.

What many businesses don’t realise is that these documents don’t just exist on paper. Modern printers and multifunction devices often store, process and transmit document data as part of the print workflow. That means sensitive information can remain on a device long after the print job has finished.

Without the right security controls in place, printers can become an overlooked entry point for cybercriminals, exposing confidential information and creating unnecessary compliance risks.

 

What could actually happen?

The risks vary, some bigger and more significant than others, but why not make your life easy and prevent them ALL?

Someone could potentially gain unauthorised access to the printer’s settings if its administrator account isn’t properly protected.

Outdated printer software could contain security weaknesses that haven’t been fixed.

And, in some circumstances, a compromised printer could potentially be used as a starting point for accessing other parts of a business network.

That doesn’t mean every printer is waiting to be hacked. It simply means that, like any other device connected to your network, it shouldn’t be ignored.

 

7 simple ways to improve your Print Security:

The good news is that you don’t need to become a printer security expert. There are several straightforward things you or your IT provider can check.

1. Make sure passwords are regularly changed

If the printer is still using a default or old password, that’s something worth addressing. Your IT team or provider can make sure the account has a strong, unique password and that access is limited to the people who actually need it.

 

2. Keep the printer updated

Computers need regular updates, so why doesn’t your printer? Manufacturers release updates to improve performance, fix bugs and address security issues.

Your printer might not pop up with a friendly notification saying, “I need a security update,” like your computer, but it’s something that needs to be regularly reviewed. It’s worth setting a monthly reminder to form healthy habits.

3. Only allow the access that’s needed

Your printer doesn’t necessarily need to be accessible by everyone or every device on your network.

Your IT provider can check how the printer communicates with your network and make sure access to its settings is restricted appropriately.

4. Consider secure printing

Have you ever printed something and then forgotten about it?

For sensitive documents, some printers offer features such as PIN or secure printing, then it’s held until the person who printed it enters a PIN or identifies themselves at the device. Then only people who are meant to be seeing it will end up seeing it.

5. Think about where your printer is located

Security can come down to more simple concepts than you think, like considering where your printer physically located? If your printer is in an area where visitors, customers or other people can easily access it, there’s a higher risk of someone tampering with the device or stealing printed documents.

A printer in a staff-only area is very different from one sitting in a public reception area.

6. Check what your printer stores

Multifunctional devices have internal storage. Your printer could retain information relating to previous print, scanning or copying jobs, as well as network settings.

It’s worth finding out what your printer actually stores and how that information is protected.

7. Securely dispose of old printers

Throwing away a printer, doesn’t mean you are erasing data, that’s completely different ballgames. Erasing data doesn’t just happen when you dispose of the physical device. It is worth chatting to your IT provider- they should be able to advise you on the correct way to securely erase data before the device leaves your business.

 

Don’t forget about the printer

The good news is that checking your Print Security doesn’t need to be complicated.

Making sure passwords are secure, the device is consistently being updated, and there are restrictions on who can access it means your cyber security health already being levelled up.

Get in touch with a Document Solutions specialist to discuss print security today: Contact Us