If you’re trying to improve your cybersecurity strategy, ensure you don't overlook your printers. They're often glossed over when business leaders address cybersecurity. This makes them attractive targets for cybercriminals. Businesses should consider printers a vulnerable endpoint of their business network. If you don't, you could risk your business for cyber attacks.
How Can A Printer Get Hacked?
Network office printers and other connected devices are network endpoints that hackers can target, just like a PC. They often lack the secure by design protections common in IT hardware. This makes them vulnerable to attacks that a PC’s security could prevent. The printer may not be a "high-value" target, but once a hacker controls a device, they can do a lot of damage without detection.
Printers, particularly low-cost models, often aren’t designed with endpoint security in mind. This lack of security can mean something as simple as a toner cartridge with a compromised microchip can allow attackers to gain access. To read more about printer security, read our blog How Important is Printer Security?
What Features Should I Look For In a Business Printer?
There are many security tools and features found in multifunction printers. Here are the top things to look for to protect your business from hackers.
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
EDR software is a common tool for organizations to protect their IT hardware. Some printer manufacturers have applied the same principles to business-grade printers.
Most printer models today can self-check when first powered on. Yet, they lack real-time monitoring after that initial startup. Features can act as anti-virus to detect known attack patterns that may target the device’s memory or network connection.
HP’s latest Enterprise-class devices go above and beyond this. With artificial intelligence, these printers are capable of identifying zero-day attacks. "Zero-day attacks" refer to attacks that are brand-new and unrecognized by anti-virus software. They even have a golden copy of the BIOS stored on the device so it can be used to respond to an attack and self-heal.
Non-Reprogrammable Toner Cartridges
Toner cartridges have microchips in them that allows them to communicate with printers. Many of these chips are reprogrammable, particularly those used in off-brand toner cartridges.
Cyber experts have been able to inject malware into these microchips. This allows hackers to exploit security weaknesses within a printer and gain access to the device. This is why it’s important to know what you are putting into your printer and who made it. A cheap toner from unknown origins could lead to a costly breach that puts your business at risk.
HP is the first manufacturer to actually have their entire toner supply chain ISO-certified for security. They earned this certification with their enhanced security features including non-reprogrammable chips in HP printer cartridges. To learn more about how printer cartridges can be hacked, check out our blog Can Toner Cartridges Get Hacked? .
AI Tools To Detect and Resolve Threats
Some tools use AI to detect zero-day attacks. HP office printers include “Memory Shield” technology. This feature is designed to detect abnormal activities within the system’s memory. Once the software detects suspicious activity, it will self-heal from the attack and reboot to a safe state. This proactively resolves attacks, so criminals can't access your network without your knowledge.
Whitelisting and Printer Security
While blacklisting can block untrustworthy access, whitelisting goes a step further. Whitelisting identifies known and trustworthy sources of data. This security feature ensures that only legitimate code from the manufacturer is being used. Fraudulent firmware can disguise itself as a legitimate update. Whitelisting protections will recognize that it's from an untrusted source and reject it. This feature has become more common over the past decade, but it still isn’t included in all makes and models.
Find Out If Your Printer Fleet Measures Up
Aside from making sure your printer has the most recent software updates, make sure your older models are still supported. When devices get too old, manufacturers are no longer required to provide software patches and firmware updates. This effectively leaves them vulnerable to attacks.
Older, unsupported devices should be retired in this case, which leaves you with an option to replace them or shrink your fleet altogether. A print assessment from a qualified managed print provider can help you determine gaps in your printer security.
