Printer security plays a crucial role in protecting an organization’s sensitive information. Modern printers, much like other IoT devices, are often overlooked as a security risk. However, they are frequently targeted by cybercriminals due to their vulnerabilities, making them a gateway for attacks that could compromise your entire network.
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 to protect your organization from potential data breaches and other cyber threats.
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 Printer Security Risks
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 (Unlocked Doors – pdf). Furthermore, 43% of surveyed companies ignore printers in their endpoint security approach. It is crucial to be aware of printer security vulnerabilities.
Every organization will have multiple printers at the office and are therefore an appealing target for malicious actors. Printers are common targets in bank cyberattacks due to numerous vulnerabilities, but all organizations are at risk. (Source: The Print Security Landscape, 2023).
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, attackers can use compromised printers to intercept sensitive documents, alter print jobs, or launch more extensive network infiltration.
Ensuring printer security involves more than just setting a password or using basic encryption. It requires a comprehensive approach that includes regular firmware updates, network segmentation, and robust access controls. Organizations must treat their printers as they would any other endpoint on the network, with regular security assessments and monitoring to detect potential threats.
Common Printer Security Vulnerabilities
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 (Quocirca Print Security Landscape, 2023).
Eavesdropping: Another way in which a data breach can be caused is whereby the attacker eavesdrops and/or captures documents sent from the computer to the printer. By sitting on the network, an implant can gain access to the network printer traffic and obtain potentially sensitive information (Man in the Middle Attack).
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 Attack: An attacker can add a printer to a botnet and use it to launch a DDoS attack, which can disable the printer. Exploiting printer vulnerabilities for such attacks is relatively easy. (Source: Researchers warn of severe risks from ‘Printjack’ printer attacks).
Malware Installation: An attacker can install malware on the printer during an attack. This allows them to control the device remotely or gain unauthorized access. As a result, the organization may face a data breach or further network infiltration.
How to Secure Your Printers Against Cyber Threats
Heavy spending on cybersecurity should bring a high return on investment, yet gaps in visibility limit this. Sepio’s asset risk management 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, to enhance the organization’s cybersecurity posture. 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 approach, strengthening your printer security and stopping attackers at the first line of defense.
Evidently, printer security vulnerabilities should be a major cause for cybersecurity concern. Printers are often one of the weakest links of an organization. So, what you print is not just what you get. You might be giving an attacker their next pay check (Watch Sepio video: Printer Hacked).
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