In today’s hyper-connected world, cybersecurity is a top priority for any organization. We invest in firewalls, secure our networks, and train employees to spot phishing attacks. But what if one of the biggest security risks is hiding in plain sight? Modern multifunction printers (MFPs) are no longer simple office equipment; they are sophisticated, network-connected computers that handle a constant flow of sensitive data. And just like any other endpoint, they are a prime target for cybercriminals.

Recent data shows that a staggering 94% of small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) have experienced at least one cyberattack ^[1], with a growing number of these incidents traced back to overlooked devices like printers. The average cost of a data breach in 2025 has reached $4.4 million globally ^[2], a clear indicator that no business can afford to ignore any potential vulnerability. This post will explore the evolving landscape of printer security threats, the real-world costs of a breach, and the actionable steps you can take to protect your organization.

Why Are Printers a Top Security Risk in 2025?

Printers have become the silent vulnerability in many organizations’ cybersecurity posture. A recent report from HP Wolf Security highlights a critical disconnect: while IT teams spend an average of 3.5 hours per printer each month on security, significant gaps remain ^[3]. The research, which surveyed over 800 IT and security decision-makers, revealed that only 36% of IT teams apply printer firmware updates promptly ^[3]. This failure to patch creates a massive window of opportunity for attackers to exploit known vulnerabilities.

The problem begins at the procurement stage. According to the same report, a concerning 60% of IT leaders admit that a lack of collaboration between procurement, IT, and security teams puts their organization at risk ^[3]. This often results in devices being added to the network without proper security vetting, leaving them exposed from day one.

Here’s a summary of the key risk areas identified in the report:

Lifecycle Stage	Key Statistic	Implication
Supplier Selection	Only 38% of organizations have collaborative security standard definitions 3.	Insecure devices are purchased and onboarded.
Ongoing Management	Only 36% of IT teams apply firmware updates promptly 3.	Known vulnerabilities remain unpatched for extended periods.
Remediation	Only 32% can detect hardware-level security events 3.	Active breaches on printers can go unnoticed.
Decommissioning	86% cite data security as a barrier to printer reuse or recycling 3.	Sensitive data is not properly sanitized from end-of-life devices.

The High Cost of Neglect: Financial and Compliance Risks

The financial repercussions of a data breach can be devastating. As mentioned, the global average cost of a data breach in 2025 is $4.4 million ^[2]. For small and medium-sized businesses, which are often less equipped to handle such a blow, the consequences can be even more severe. Cybercriminals specifically target SMBs because they are more likely to pay a ransom to avoid extended downtime and the associated revenue loss ^[1].

Beyond the immediate financial costs, there are also significant compliance risks. Many industries are subject to strict data protection regulations, and a printer-related breach can lead to hefty fines and legal action. Here are a few examples of how printer security intersects with major compliance frameworks:

• GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation): Any organization handling the data of EU citizens must ensure that all data processing activities, including printing, are secure. A breach of personal data via an unsecured printer can result in fines of up to €20 million or 4% of the company’s annual global turnover, whichever is higher.
• HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act): In the healthcare sector, printers and MFPs are constantly handling Protected Health Information (PHI). A breach of PHI through an unsecured device is a direct violation of HIPAA, which can lead to significant fines and reputational damage.
• PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard): For businesses that handle credit card information, any system that stores, processes, or transmits cardholder data is in scope for PCI DSS. If a printer is on the same network as a point-of-sale system and is not properly segmented, it could be used as a pivot point for an attack, putting the organization out of compliance.

Failing to secure your print environment is not just a technical oversight; it’s a significant business risk with far-reaching financial and legal consequences.

How to Build a Secure Print Environment: An Actionable Framework

Securing your print infrastructure doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. By adopting a proactive and strategic approach, you can significantly reduce your risk profile. Here are the essential steps every organization should take to build a resilient print environment:

 

1. Treat Printers as Endpoints, Not Appliances: The single most important shift is to treat your printers with the same level of security scrutiny as your servers and workstations. This means including them in your regular vulnerability scanning, patch management, and security monitoring processes. As the data shows, with only 36% of IT teams applying firmware updates promptly, this is a critical area for improvement [3].

2. Implement a Zero-Trust Approach: In a modern, decentralized network, no device should be trusted by default. Implement user authentication on all printers to ensure that only authorized employees can access them. Secure pull printing, where jobs are held in a queue until the user authenticates at the device, is an effective way to prevent sensitive documents from being left unattended.

3. Encrypt Data at Rest and in Transit: Any data stored on a printer’s internal hard drive should be encrypted. This includes cached documents, user credentials, and device settings. Similarly, all data transmitted to and from the printer over the network should be encrypted to prevent eavesdropping.

4. Segment Your Network: Isolate your printers on a separate VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network). This simple step can have a major impact on your security. If a printer is compromised, network segmentation limits the attacker’s ability to move laterally across your network and access other critical systems.

5. Establish a Secure Decommissioning Process: As the HP Wolf Security report revealed, 86% of organizations see data security as a barrier to printer reuse or recycling [3]. It is crucial to have a formal process for sanitizing data from end-of-life devices. This may involve using the printer’s built-in secure erase functions or, in some cases, physically destroying the storage media.

How Repro Products Can Help You Build a Resilient Print Environment

At Repro Products we understand that securing your print infrastructure is a critical component of your overall cybersecurity strategy. We specialize in providing secure print technology and managed print services that are designed to protect your organization from the evolving threat landscape. Our team of experts can help you:

• Assess Your Current Vulnerabilities: We conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify and prioritize risks in your current print environment.
• Implement a Zero-Trust Framework: We help you deploy secure print release, user authentication, and document encryption to ensure that your data is always protected.
• Automate Your Security Operations: We provide automated firmware updates, network monitoring, and threat detection to keep your devices secure and compliant.
• Ensure Regulatory Compliance: We help you navigate the complex landscape of data protection regulations, including GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS, to ensure that your print environment meets all necessary compliance requirements.

Don’t Let Your Printers Be Your Downfall

The evidence is clear: printers are no longer a peripheral concern in cybersecurity. They are a primary target for attackers, and a single unsecured device can lead to a devastating data breach. By taking a proactive and strategic approach to printer security, you can protect your organization from financial loss, reputational damage, and regulatory penalties. The time to act is now.

Ready to secure the last gap in your cybersecurity perimeter? Request a complimentary print security assessment today and discover how we can help you build a more resilient and secure print environment.

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References

[1] ConnectWise, “The State of SMB Cybersecurity in 2024,” cited in Sharp, “Why SMBs Are Prime Targets for Printer-Related Cyberattacks in 2025,” January 22, 2025. https://business.sharpusa.com/simply-smarter-blog/why-smbs-are-prime-targets-for-printer-related-cyberattacks-in-2025

[2] IBM, “Cost of a Data Breach Report 2025,” 2025. https://www.ibm.com/reports/data-breach

[3] HP Wolf Security, “Securing the Print Estate: A Proactive Lifecycle Approach to Cyber Resilience,” July 17, 2025. https://www.hp.com/us-en/newsroom/press-releases/2025/only-36-of-it-teams-apply-printer-firmware-updates-promptly-leaving-devices-vulnerable.html