10 ways to stop hackers targeting your printer

It is easy for non-technical users to overlook that these everyday office machines require the same level of security as other network devices.

As we discussed in our article, printers are sophisticated endpoints — and unsecured, they’re vulnerable. Neglecting this can provide hackers with an easy backdoor into your organisation.

A study by CyberNews demonstrated the vulnerability of unsecured printers when they accessed nearly 28,000 printers worldwide to raise awareness about printer security issues. This highlights the importance of securing these devices to prevent unauthorised access.

Yet, for many employees outside the IT department, the concept of printer security still feels abstract. Without proper awareness and clear policies, print security can be deprioritised, even though it's a critical component of your broader cybersecurity strategy.

So, where do you start when it comes to securing your devices? Here are our top 10 printer security tips:

 1. Get a grip on firmware

What is it? Firmware refers to the programmes that are installed on your device when it is first manufactured.
What does it do? It's the on-board software that controls the functions of your printer.
Why do you need it? Firmware is the 'brain' of your printer - and regular updates are highly recommended to fix any glitches, add new features and maintain security protection.

2. Take TLS seriously

What is it? Transport Layer Security is a security protocol that uses algorithms to encrypt data during transmission, whether over the internet or en route to your device – it defends against printer hacking and other threats that could compromise document security.
What does it do? It provides privacy and security for data shared across the internet.
Why do you need it? TLS helps protect data against printer hacking, tampering and eavesdropping on your print data in transit. Together with other technologies, TLS can be particularly relevant for supporting and protecting remote users. 

3. Pay attention to protocols

What are they? The sets of rules or procedures governing the exchange of data between devices such as computers and printers.
What do they do? Protocols determine what sort of data may be transmitted, which commands are used to send and receive that data, and the way those data transfers are confirmed.
Why do you need them? Devices made by different manufacturers - or different types of devices (computers, printers, servers etc.) - need to support the same protocols to communicate with each other. By disabling unused ports and protocols, you limit the number of ways your device can be attacked.

4. Get up to speed on SFTP

What is it? Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) is a protocol for securely transferring files between devices, normally over the web.
What does it do? It creates a safe, encrypted connection for secured data transfers, for instance, sending scanned documents from single or multifunction scanners to their destinations. 
Why do you need it? Configured correctly, the added security of SFTP gives a higher level of protection against the potential interception of data in transit. This can be boosted further with a comprehensive layered security approach. 

5. Sign up for a Pen Test

What is it? A 'penetration test' is a simulated attack on your network to assess the security of the devices and applications you use.
What does it do? It identifies any 'weak spots' in your network and data systems that could be exploited by cyber-criminals.
Why do you need it? Information gathered from a Pen Test is used to fix vulnerabilities and improve the security of your systems to protect against potential attacks.

Want a broader view of the top network threats facing businesses today? Read our expert-led guide to the 10 most pressing cybersecurity risks and learn how to build resilience across your entire IT environment.

6. Push for Pull Print

What is it? The practice of “pulling” print jobs from a secure location in order to print them. That location could be a secure server or the device’s internal memory.  
What does it do? Also referred to as Follow Me printing, instead of printing immediately, it ensures documents you send to print are not released until you are ready to pick them up.
Why do I need it? The forgotten piles of paper surrounding many document devices tell their own story. Not only does this use excess paper, power and printer supplies, it could also leave confidential documents exposed to prying eyes. Pull Printing ensures you are on location to retrieve your documents, reducing this risk.

Curious about what really happens when printed documents are left unattended? Discover the hidden risks and real-world consequences in our blog "The True Security Cost of Printing a Document and Not Picking It Up". 

7. Think about IP blocking

What is it? A security method used by businesses where devices can be set up to only accept connections from specific IP addresses linked to trusted machines. This prevents access to the device over the network.
What does it do? IP blocking prevents unauthorised users from accessing your printers directly and bypassing the security on your print server. Therefore, only authorised users will retain access.
Why do I need it? Not only does it prevent potentially hostile or unauthorised IP addresses from connecting to mail, print or internet servers, it is also useful if you are looking to restrict excessive or unauthorised printer use. 

8. Lock down functions to relevant users

What is it? Brother’s Secure Function Lock is a control panel function that restricts user access to your printers' settings and certain functions.
What does it do? It allows you to configure passwords for selected users, control access to printer functions and even control costs by setting monthly printing limits. 
Why do I need it? It enhances your device security requirements by controlling who can access certain functions on your device.

9. Conduct a thorough audit

What is it? A comprehensive assessment of your print environment spanning not just devices and their firmware, but network security, physical security, and compliance.
What does it do? Carried out correctly, an audit will uncover potential vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, out of date devices or firmware, and vulnerable passwords.
Why do I need it? A thorough audit will ensure your document environment is as secure as it can be and set the stage for ongoing monitoring. Expert vendors will offer their support in developing a secure infrastructure for your business.

10. Move to device monitoring 

What is it? Continuous tracking of your print and document environment, typically via a dedicated managed print service (MPS) solution.
What does it do? Monitoring the current status of your printing devices provides a holistic view of your entire print environment, allowing issues to be fixed as soon as they happen. 
Why do I need it? Devices generate a wealth of data and this can be used to identify potential security events and enable fast responses to attacks. MPS users can also obtain regular compliance reports, which should include data breach monitoring and reporting.

What next? 

At Brother, print security is at the forefront of everything we do. With privacy and data protection regulations becoming increasingly stringent, IT leaders like you need reliable solutions to protect sensitive data across your organisation. That’s why Brother’s security features are designed to protect your network against security risks and help you meet compliance requirements with ease.

Data and document security is critical for every organisation, and we hope this guide has provided insights to help you enhance your print security strategy.

Ready to elevate your print security? Explore Brother’s printer security solutions or speak with a Brother Security expert today.

Want to learn more about the potential Printer security risks? 

Watch The "Interrogation", our short film, where we explore the hidden risks of unsecured printers in today’s digital landscape.