5 things to check to find out whether your printers pose a cybersecurity risk

When we talk about cybersecurity, we tend to think about computers, emails or servers. Printers are much less likely to come to mind. Yet a multifunction printer is a device connected to your network. It processes documents, exchanges data and may have its own storage.

This is far from a minor issue. Published on 28 July 2026, Quocirca’s Print Security Landscape 2026 study analyses how cybersecurity risks related to print environments are evolving. It reveals that 67% of organisations surveyed in the UK, France, Germany and the United States experienced at least one print-related data loss incident in the past 12 months, compared with 56% in 2025.

So how can you tell whether the printers in your organisation pose a cybersecurity risk? Here are five practical things to check.

1. Are your printers still using default passwords?

This is one of the first things to check. Printers have administrative settings that allow you to manage their configuration, connections and various security features.

→ A default or weak password makes unauthorised access easier. Start by checking the administrator accounts on your printers. Change any default passwords and use unique, sufficiently complex passwords.

2. Is your printer firmware up to date?

Like a computer, a printer relies on software to operate. Firmware controls part of the device’s functionality. Vulnerabilities can be discovered in firmware, which is why manufacturers release patches to address them.

→ A printer that has not been updated may therefore remain exposed to a known vulnerability. Regularly check the firmware versions installed across your printer fleet and apply the security updates provided by the manufacturer.

This monitoring is becoming even more important as cyber threats evolve. Quocirca highlights that 54% of respondents are very or extremely concerned about the use of AI to create more sophisticated print-related threats. The security of your print environment must therefore evolve alongside the threats it faces.

3. Who can access your printers and documents?

Being able to print a document does not mean a user should have access to every function of a printer. It is important to manage user permissions. This applies not only to printing and scanning, but also to access to device settings.

→ Authentication using a badge, PIN or user account can provide an additional layer of protection. It can also enable secure printing, where a document is only printed once its owner authenticates at the device.

According to Quocirca, identity management has become a key component of print security: 84% of respondents consider integration between print infrastructure and identity management platforms such as Active Directory or Azure AD to be very or extremely important.

4. Are your stored and transmitted data protected?

A multifunction printer does much more than put ink or toner on paper: it continuously processes your organisation’s data. It receives files from computers, can send scans via email or to the cloud, and may also temporarily store documents.

→ It is therefore important to check how this data is transmitted and how it is protected. Use secure communication protocols wherever possible. Disable outdated or unnecessary protocols and check the encryption features available on your devices.

You should also consider what happens at the end of a printer’s life. When a multifunction printer leaves your organisation, any data stored on the device must be securely erased. This approach should also anticipate future technological developments. According to Quocirca, 57% of organisations already consider preparing for quantum threats to be essential.

5. Are your printers really part of your cybersecurity strategy?

This is probably the most important question. A connected printer is part of your IT infrastructure and should therefore not be managed separately from your overall cybersecurity strategy. You need to know exactly which printers are connected to your network.

→ Check which services are active and disable those you do not need. You should also avoid exposing printers directly to the Internet. Depending on your infrastructure, network segmentation can help better isolate your print environment. Finally, carry out regular security checks, because a configuration that is secure today may no longer be secure several weeks from now.

Quocirca’s findings demonstrate the value of a comprehensive strategy: organisations with the most mature approach to print security report fewer data loss incidents — 56%, compared with 73% among the least mature organisations.

So, do your printers pose a cybersecurity risk?

As Quocirca’s Print Security Landscape 2026 shows, print-related risks continue to evolve. AI, identity management and emerging quantum technologies are creating new security challenges.

At CK, we help businesses manage and secure their printing solutions. The goal is simple: to provide a print environment that meets the needs of your organisation without compromising on security.

Source : https://quocirca.com/content/emerging-ai-and-identity-threats/