For many businesses, copiers and multifunction printers (MFPs) still feel like “office equipment.” In reality, they are network-connected endpoints—and increasingly, they are becoming prime targets for cyberattacks.
At Plus Inc., we’ve watched this shift happen in real time. As copiers evolved into full-fledged computers that scan, store, route, and transmit sensitive data, attackers followed closely behind. Today, unsecured printers and MFPs represent one of the most overlooked risks in business IT environments.
And that risk is growing.
The Growing Threat Landscape for Print Network
According to Quocirca’s Global Print Security Landscape Report, only 19% of IT decision-makers say they are fully confident their print infrastructure is secure—a decline from the previous year. That loss of confidence isn’t accidental.
Printers sit at the intersection of people, data, and networks, which makes them uniquely vulnerable:
- They store data on internal hard drives
- They connect directly to corporate networks
- They interact with email, cloud platforms, and user credentials
- They are often managed outside of core IT security policies
As Steve Holmes of PaperCut explains, MFPs present challenges across product, policy, and people—the three pillars of cybersecurity. An unsecured printer can quietly become an open door into an organization’s most sensitive systems.
Why Hackers Are Targeting Printers and MFPs
Recent research and industry reporting highlight a troubling trend: Print devices are now considered low-resistance, high-reward targets.
Here’s why attackers focus on them:
1. Printers Are Often Poorly Secured Endpoints
Many organizations fail to:
- Change default admin passwords
- Update firmware regularly
- Encrypt stored data
- Lock down USB ports and admin interfaces
Attackers know this—and exploit it.
2. AI Is Accelerating Print-Based Attacks
As noted by Epson technical specialists, AI is making attacks:
- Faster to deploy
- More targeted
- Easier to scale
Examples include:
- AI-generated phishing emails that mimic scan or print notifications
- Automated vulnerability scanning of printer firmware
- Credential stuffing against printer admin portals
- Malicious firmware designed to persist undetected in print environments
These attacks don’t require advanced skills anymore. AI has lowered the barrier, making print networks an attractive entry point.
The Real-World Impact of MFP Security Failures
Security breaches tied to print infrastructure don’t just affect IT—they affect operations, reputation, and trust.
- Sensitive documents left unprotected on output trays can expose payroll, legal, or patient data
- Compromised devices can provide lateral access into the broader network
- Unsupported or end-of-life printers may never receive critical security patches
As the article highlights, breaches can lead to:
- Regulatory penalties (GDPR, HIPAA, FERPA)
- Reputational damage
- Operational downtime
- Long-term loss of customer trust
In high-risk sectors like healthcare and finance, the consequences can be severe.
Securing the Print Environment: What Actually Works
The good news? MFP security is solvable—when it’s addressed holistically.
Industry leaders, including PaperCut, Epson, Kyocera, and Lexmark, agree on several best practices:
1. Secure the Device Itself
- Encrypt hard drives
- Validate firmware integrity
- Disable unused ports (USB, wireless)
- Apply role-based access controls
2. Secure the Network Connection
- Segment printers on the network
- Monitor traffic and device behavior
- Keep firmware up to date through patch management
3. Secure the Document Workflow
- Require user authentication for print release
- Prevent documents from sitting unattended
- Control who can print, scan, or email sensitive files
Solutions like PaperCut MF and similar platforms address security before, during, and after the print process—closing gaps that traditional IT tools often miss.
Where Plus Inc. Fits In
At Plus Inc., we don’t treat printers as “just equipment.” We treat them as endpoints—because that’s what they are.
Our approach integrates:
- Secure device configuration and hardening
- Ongoing firmware management
- Print policy enforcement
- Network-aware monitoring
- Alignment between IT security and print infrastructure
Because we provide both managed IT services and print solutions in-house, we eliminate the gaps that often exist between vendors, IT teams, and service providers.
That’s how we help businesses:
- Reduce attack surfaces
- Protect sensitive data
- Maintain compliance
- Keep employees productive without added complexity
The Bottom Line
Copiers and MFPs are no longer neutral office tools. They are active participants in your IT environment—and potential liabilities if left unsecured.
As attackers grow more sophisticated and AI-driven tools become more accessible, organizations must rethink how they protect every endpoint, including print.
Security doesn’t stop at servers and laptops. It extends to every device that touches your data.
And that’s where Plus Inc. comes in.
Want to Learn More?
If you’d like to understand how secure your print environment really is—or how to modernize it without disrupting your workflow—our team is here to help.
Simplifying workplaces. Securing what matters. Since 1958.