Modern multifunction printers are sophisticated networked computers—with processors, memory, storage, and operating systems—yet they're routinely overlooked in enterprise security planning. With the average MFD processing thousands of sensitive documents monthly and connecting to critical network infrastructure, this blind spot creates significant risk. This guide examines the printer security landscape and how to protect your print environment.
The Printer Security Blind Spot
A 2023 Quocirca study found that 61% of organisations experienced print-related data breaches, yet only 19% considered print infrastructure a security priority. This disconnect stems from viewing printers as simple peripherals rather than the network-connected computers they actually are.
What Makes Printers Security Risks?
Modern enterprise MFDs contain:
- Processors: Multi-core CPUs running embedded operating systems
- Storage: Hard drives storing print jobs, address books, and configuration
- Memory: RAM containing documents during processing
- Network connectivity: Ethernet and often wireless connections to corporate networks
- Multiple interfaces: USB, NFC, web portals, email integration
- Firmware: Updateable software that can be targeted by attackers
What Flows Through Your Printers
Consider the sensitivity of documents routinely printed, copied, and scanned:
- Financial statements, budgets, and payroll data
- Personnel files, performance reviews, and medical information
- Contracts, legal agreements, and negotiation materials
- Strategic plans, board papers, and M&A documentation
- Customer data, personal information, and privacy-protected materials
- Government-classified information at various security levels
Key Insight: If you wouldn't leave these documents on an unsecured desk, they shouldn't flow through an unsecured printer. Yet most organisations apply far less security to their print infrastructure than to workstations handling the same data.
Printer Attack Vectors: Understanding the Threats
Attackers exploit printers through multiple vectors. Understanding these threats informs security configuration decisions.
Firmware Attacks
Compromised firmware can:
- Persist across reboots and factory resets
- Intercept all documents processed
- Provide backdoor network access
- Evade traditional endpoint security tools
Notable examples include the 2017 Fax machine attacks demonstrating firmware exploitation and ongoing research into printer supply chain compromises.
Network-Based Attacks
Printers on corporate networks can be exploited for:
- Lateral movement: Pivot points for accessing other network resources
- Data exfiltration: Capturing and transmitting printed documents
- Command and control: Using printer network access for malware communication
- Denial of service: Disrupting printing operations
Document Theft
Physical and logical document security risks include:
- Uncollected documents in output trays
- Documents stored on printer hard drives
- Intercepted print streams on the network
- Recovered data from decommissioned devices
Configuration Weaknesses
Common misconfigurations creating vulnerabilities:
- Default administrator passwords unchanged
- Unnecessary protocols enabled (Telnet, FTP, SNMP v1/v2)
- Unsecured web management interfaces
- Disabled or outdated firmware
- Open network ports and services
HP Enterprise Security Architecture
HP Enterprise printers implement layered security addressing threats at multiple levels. This architecture is among the most comprehensive in the enterprise print market.
Layer 1: HP Sure Start (BIOS Protection)
HP Sure Start provides hardware-rooted security at the deepest level:
- Golden BIOS copy: Protected firmware copy stored in isolated memory
- Boot validation: BIOS integrity verified at every startup
- Self-healing: Automatic restoration from golden copy if tampering detected
- Hardware anchor: Validation rooted in hardware, not software that could be compromised
This prevents persistent firmware attacks that would survive normal remediation.
Layer 2: Whitelisting (Firmware Authentication)
HP's whitelisting mechanism ensures only authentic code executes:
- Digital signatures: All firmware must be digitally signed by HP
- Signature validation: Cryptographic verification before loading
- Automatic rejection: Unsigned or tampered code blocked from execution
- Update protection: Only authentic updates can be installed
Layer 3: Run-time Intrusion Detection
Continuous monitoring during operation:
- Memory monitoring: Detection of anomalous memory states
- Process validation: Verification of running processes
- Automatic response: Reboot to known-good state if intrusion detected
- Event logging: Security events recorded for analysis
Layer 4: HP Connection Inspector
Network security monitoring for print devices:
- Outbound traffic analysis: Detection of suspicious network connections
- Malware detection: Identification of C2 (command and control) traffic patterns
- Automatic quarantine: Self-isolation when threats detected
- Integration capability: SIEM integration for centralised monitoring
Layer 5: Encrypted Storage
Data protection for stored information:
- AES-256 encryption: Full-disk encryption for internal storage
- Secure erase: Cryptographic data destruction
- Job data protection: Encryption of stored print jobs
- End-of-life security: Verified data destruction before decommissioning
Document Security Features
Beyond device security, HP Enterprise MFDs offer features protecting document confidentiality.
Secure Print / PIN Release
Prevents uncollected documents:
- Print jobs held in secure queue on device
- User authenticates at device panel to release
- Authentication options include PIN, badge, or biometric
- Unreleased jobs automatically deleted after timeout
Pull Printing (Follow-Me Printing)
Enhanced flexibility with security:
- Jobs held in central server until release
- Release from any enabled device on network
- Single print queue regardless of destination device
- Complete audit trail of print activity
Digital Sending Security
Secure scanning and distribution:
- Email encryption: TLS-secured transmission
- S/MIME support: Signed and encrypted email attachments
- Secure folder destinations: SMB signing and encryption
- Digital signatures: PDF signing for document authenticity
Australian Government Compliance
Government organisations must configure printers to meet specific security frameworks. HP Enterprise devices support these requirements.
Information Security Manual (ISM)
The ISM provides security controls applicable to print infrastructure:
| ISM Control Area | Print Implementation |
|---|---|
| System hardening | Disable unnecessary protocols, apply secure configurations |
| Access control | Authentication for device access and administrative functions |
| Network security | Segmentation, encrypted communications, firewall rules |
| Media security | Encrypted storage, secure disposal of hard drives |
| System patching | Firmware update management and validation |
| Event logging | Security event capture and SIEM integration |
Essential Eight
HP Enterprise devices support multiple Essential Eight strategies:
- Application control: Firmware whitelisting prevents unauthorised code execution
- Patch applications: Firmware updates address security vulnerabilities
- Configure Microsoft Office macro settings: N/A to printers
- User application hardening: Disabled unnecessary features and protocols
- Restrict administrative privileges: Role-based access control on device
- Patch operating systems: Firmware patching addresses OS-level vulnerabilities
- Multi-factor authentication: Optional MFA for administrative access
- Regular backups: Configuration backup for recovery
Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF)
Print security considerations under PSPF:
- Physical security: Device placement in controlled areas
- Information security: Classification handling through secure print
- Personnel security: Authentication tied to security clearances
- ICT security: Technical controls as per ISM
IRAP Assessment Considerations
For organisations undergoing IRAP assessment, printers fall within scope if they:
- Process classified information
- Connect to assessed network segments
- Store government data
HP Enterprise devices can be configured to meet PROTECTED requirements with appropriate controls.
Security Hardening Recommendations
Regardless of compliance requirements, these practices strengthen print security.
Network Architecture
- Segment printers: Place on dedicated VLANs separate from general workstations
- Restrict traffic: Firewall rules limiting printer network access
- Disable unnecessary protocols: Remove Telnet, FTP, SNMP v1/v2
- Secure management: HTTPS-only for web administration
- Control ports: Allow only required ports (IPP, HTTPS, DNS)
Authentication and Access Control
- Change default passwords: Immediately on deployment
- Enable authentication: Require login for all device functions
- Integrate directory: LDAP/Active Directory for centralised identity
- Role-based access: Different permissions for users, power users, admins
- Session management: Automatic logout and session timeouts
Firmware and Patch Management
- Regular updates: Apply firmware updates within defined windows
- Validation: Verify firmware authenticity before deployment
- Testing: Evaluate updates in test environment first
- Automation: Use HP Web Jetadmin for fleet-wide updates
- Tracking: Maintain firmware version inventory
Document and Data Security
- Secure print: Enable for all users by default
- Job retention: Set appropriate timeout for unreleased jobs
- Encryption: Enable storage encryption on all devices
- Secure erase: Configure automatic job deletion after printing
- Audit logging: Enable comprehensive logging of print activity
Physical Security
- Placement: Locate devices in supervised areas
- Port security: Disable or secure USB ports
- Panel lock: Require authentication for control panel access
- Physical controls: Lock covers on high-security devices
Security Certifications and Validation
HP Enterprise devices hold security certifications validating their security architecture:
Common Criteria (ISO/IEC 15408)
International security certification:
- Evaluated by accredited testing laboratories
- Validated against defined security functional requirements
- HP Enterprise MFDs certified at EAL level
- Recognised by governments internationally
FIPS 140-2
US cryptographic module validation:
- Validated cryptographic implementations
- Level 2 certification for HP modules
- Required for US federal environments
- Recognised in Australian government contexts
IEEE 2600.2
Hardcopy device security standard:
- Industry-specific security requirements
- Addresses print-specific security concerns
- HP participation in standards development
Fleet Security Management
Managing security across a fleet of devices requires centralised tools and processes.
HP Web Jetadmin
HP's fleet management platform enables:
- Configuration templates: Apply security settings consistently
- Firmware management: Centralised update deployment
- Compliance monitoring: Detect devices with non-compliant configurations
- Reporting: Security status dashboards and alerts
- Policy enforcement: Automatic remediation of configuration drift
HP Security Manager
Advanced security policy management:
- Define security policies aligned with compliance requirements
- Automatic assessment against policies
- Remediation of non-compliant settings
- Compliance reporting for audits
Secure Disposal and End-of-Life
Security extends to device decommissioning:
Data Destruction
- Secure erase: Cryptographic data destruction before disposal
- Physical destruction: Hard drive removal and destruction if required
- Verification: Documented evidence of data destruction
- Chain of custody: Controlled handling during decommissioning
Compliance Documentation
- Certificates of data destruction
- Asset disposal records
- Environmental compliance documentation
- Audit trail for regulated information
Security Assessment Services
Understanding your current security posture is the first step to improvement.
What a Print Security Assessment Covers
- Configuration review: Evaluation of current device settings
- Vulnerability identification: Known security gaps and misconfigurations
- Compliance mapping: Gap analysis against ISM, Essential Eight, PSPF
- Architecture review: Network security and segmentation
- Recommendations: Prioritised remediation roadmap
Dreaming Print Solutions Security Expertise
As an HP partner focused on government and enterprise clients, we provide:
- Security configuration consulting for HP Enterprise devices
- Compliance-aligned deployment for government environments
- Managed print services with security monitoring
- End-of-life secure disposal services
Contact us on 07 3186 8299 or email benlong@dreamingprintsolutions.com.au to discuss your print security requirements. As a Supply Nation Certified Indigenous business, government buyers can access our security expertise while contributing to Indigenous procurement targets.
