Printer security plays a crucial role in protecting an organization’s sensitive information. As IoT devices, modern printers are often overlooked when considering potential security risks. However, printer security vulnerabilities make them prime targets for cybercriminals, who can exploit these weaknesses to gain access to networks and cause extensive damage. Securing printers is not just about protecting print jobs but ensuring they do not serve as an entry point for larger cyber-attacks that could compromise your entire network.
Since printers are typically connected to the same network as critical devices, a compromised printer can serve as an entry point for unauthorized access, data theft, and further network infiltration. Securing printers ensures they don’t become gateways for larger cyber-attacks that could compromise the entire network.
Why Printer Security Is Crucial in IoT Environments
Did you know that modern printers, now part of the IoT ecosystem, pose significant cybersecurity risks? Today’s printers are more than simple document machines — they store, process, and communicate sensitive data across your network. With their network connectivity, printer security becomes a critical concern, as printers often serve as an easy entry point for hackers looking to exploit vulnerabilities in IoT devices. This makes it essential to implement strong printer security measures, such as robust authentication, to protect your organization from potential data breaches and other cyber threats.
Printer security vulnerabilities often go unnoticed, but they pose a significant threat to network integrity and sensitive data.
Printer security is a critical concern in the realm of IoT devices. IoT printers are vulnerable to hardware attacks – specifically, network implants. These malicious devices sit on the physical layer, going undetected by existing security solutions. This can cause a number of perilous consequences which can seriously harm an organization.
Understanding the Hidden Risks of Printer Security
Printers may seem harmless, which makes them more dangerous as they often lack strong cybersecurity measures. Due to their apparently harmless nature, they are not typically on the radar of corporate cybersecurity teams. According to a survey by Spiceworks, only 16% of IT industry respondents think that printers are at high risk of a security breach. Furthermore, 43% of surveyed companies ignore printers in their endpoint security approach. It is crucial to be aware of printer security vulnerabilities.
Why Printers Are an Attractive Target for Attackers
Every organization will have multiple printers at the office and are therefore an appealing target for malicious actors. Printers are common targets in bank cyber-attacks due to numerous vulnerabilities, but all organizations are at risk.
Printer security risks are often underestimated because the devices themselves seem innocuous. However, their integration into the network means they are as critical to protect as servers and computers. Attackers are aware of this gap in security and often exploit it to launch attacks. For example, hackers can use compromised printers to intercept sensitive documents, alter print jobs, or launch more extensive network infiltration.
Ensuring printer security goes beyond setting passwords or using basic encryption. A comprehensive approach, including regular firmware updates, network segmentation, and robust access controls, is essential. Organizations should treat printers like any other network endpoint, conducting regular security assessments and monitoring to detect potential threats.
Printer Security Vulnerabilities
Despite being an often-overlooked part of an organization’s network, printers present significant security risks. These devices are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals due to their vulnerabilities, which can be exploited to gain access to sensitive information, disrupt operations, or infiltrate deeper into the network. Understanding the various printer security vulnerabilities is crucial for organizations to protect their data and maintain secure networks. Below are some of the most common vulnerabilities associated with printer security.
Document Theft
One of the primary printer security vulnerabilities is document theft. Most printers have internal storage where they stow print jobs, scans, copies, and faxes. An attacker targeting a printer can recover these documents. They can use them to harm the organization or sell them on the dark web for a significant profit. This type of breach can lead to serious consequences for the victim, including large legal fines and a damaged reputation. (Source: The State of Printer Security).
Changed Settings
An attacker might change a printer’s settings to reroute print jobs. This allows them to obtain confidential information.Changed settings can also allow the perpetrator to open saved copies of documents. Additionally, resetting the printer to default erases all organizational changes, including security settings. By altering the settings of the printer, an attacker can cause a crippling data breach.
Eavesdropping
Another critical printer security vulnerability is eavesdropping. In this case, an attacker can intercept and capture documents sent from the computer to the printer. By sitting on the network, an implant can gain access to the network printer traffic using Man-in-the-Middle attacks (MiTM), and obtain potentially sensitive information.
Network Infiltration
By accessing a network-connected printer, the attacker can move laterally across the network to other unsecured devices. This can allow the perpetrator to cause more damage than if they were to just target the printer. If the attacker doesn’t find sensitive data on the printer, they can infiltrate the network, discover confidential information elsewhere, and use the printer as an access point.
DDoS Attacks
Printers can be added to botnets for DDoS attacks, disabling devices and networks (Source: Printjack Printer Attacks).
Malware Installation
Cyber-criminals may install malware on printers, allowing remote control and further hacking attempts. As a result, the organization may face a data breach or further network infiltration.
Printer security vulnerabilities can also be exploited to launch ransomware attacks, where printers serve as entry points for spreading malicious software across the entire network.
Sepio’s Endpoint and Network CyberSecurity
Heavy spending on cybersecurity should bring a high return on investment, yet gaps in visibility limit this. Sepio’s asset risk management (ARM) platform provides a panacea to gaps in device visibility to ensure you are getting the most out of your cybersecurity investments. Sepio’s integrates with existing solutions, such as NAC, EPS, SIEM and SOAR, enhancing computer-security and data-security.
Sepio’s assets visibility capabilities mean no device goes unmanaged. The platform identifies, detects, and handles all IT/OT/IoT devices. Moreover, Sepio’s policy enforcement mechanism and rogue device Mitigation capabilities instantly block any unapproved or rogue hardware. By doing so, Sepio enables a Zero Trust Hardware Access (ZTHA) approach, strengthening your printer security and stopping attackers at the first line of defense.
Take Action to Protect Your Printers
Printers are often the weakest link in an organization’s security. Don’t let cyber-criminals exploit your information-security gaps. Strengthen your defenses, collaborate with security experts, and protect your network from ransomware, phishing, and cybercrime (Watch Sepio video: Printer Hacked).
See every known and shadow asset. Prioritize and mitigate risks. Talk to an expert to understand how Sepio’s technology can secure your printers and protect against cyber threats.
