Is Your Printer The Biggest Cybersecurity Risk in Your Office?

29 Apr 2025

You secure your email, train staff on phishing, and install antivirus across every device... but what about the printer quietly sitting in the corner?

If you didn’t think of your office printer as a security threat, you’re not alone and that’s exactly why cybercriminals love them.

In fact, during the 2020 Printer Hack Experiment, researchers at Cybernews successfully hijacked 56% of 50,000 printers tested. That’s nearly 28,000 compromised devices, all because businesses underestimated the security risk of something as ordinary as a printer.

Why Hackers Target Printers

Modern printers are connected, data-rich, and often ignored the perfect storm for a cyberattack.

Here’s how they become a gateway into your business:

They store sensitive data

Most business printers have internal storage that retains copies of documents long after they’re printed: payroll, contracts, IDs, and confidential files.

Default passwords are rarely changed

Many printers still use “admin/admin” or “123456” as login credentials leaving the front door wide open for attackers.

They provide access to your network

A compromised printer can act as a launchpad for malware, ransomware, or lateral attacks on other devices on your business network.

Unsecured print jobs can be intercepted

Without encryption, hackers can grab documents as they travel between your computer and the printer.

Scanned files and emails can be hijacked

If your printer includes scan-to-email or cloud storage, a hacker can remotely access highly sensitive data.

Outdated firmware is a known weak spot

Most businesses don’t update printer firmware regularly, leaving known vulnerabilities exposed for months or years.

Discarded printers can leak data

If you dispose of a printer without properly wiping its internal storage, sensitive data could be retrieved and exploited.

How To Lock Down Your Office Printers

Want to keep hackers out? Start with these simple but critical steps:

Change Default Credentials
Immediately update admin usernames and passwords to something strong and unique.
Keep Firmware Up to Date
Just like your computer, your printer needs regular security patches.
Enable Secure Printing & Encryption
Encrypt print jobs and use features like “Secure Print” or PIN-protected releases.
Limit Access
Control who can send print jobs, and enforce PINs or authentication for sensitive printing.
Clear Stored Data Regularly
Wipe stored print jobs and ensure that internal hard drives are encrypted or wiped during disposal.
Use a Firewall
Isolate your printer on a secure network segment behind a firewall.
Monitor Printer Logs
Track usage, monitor for unusual activity, and flag attempts to access the printer remotely.

Printers Aren’t Just Office Tools—They’re Security Endpoints

Your printer might not look dangerous, but it could be the weakest link in your cyber defence. If it’s connected to your network, it needs to be secured like any other device.

At BlueReef Technology, we help Darwin-based businesses stay secure from the server room to the printer tray.

Not sure if your printers are secure?
Start with a FREE Network Security Assessment, and we’ll help you identify vulnerabilities hiding in plain sight.

08 8922 0000