When you think about cybersecurity threats to your business, what comes to mind?
📧 Phishing emails?
🦠 Malware?
🔑 Weak passwords?

Chances are, your printer didn’t make the list. But it should.

At Custom Technologies, Inc., we’ve seen it time and time again—businesses across Metro Atlanta overlooking the one device quietly sitting in the corner that could expose everything from payroll records to confidential client contracts.

Don’t believe it? In the “Printer Hack Experiment” run by Cybernews, 56% of 50,000 sampled printers were successfully compromised. That’s over 28,000 devices—because companies didn’t realize how vulnerable printers can be.

🖨 Why Hackers Love Printers

Printers process sensitive data daily, yet most businesses never secure them properly. Here’s how they’re being targeted:

  1. Stored Data = Stolen Data
    Many business printers store digital copies of everything printed, scanned, or copied. If hacked, those documents—including payroll, contracts, and client records—can be accessed or even reprinted without your knowledge.
  2. Default Passwords Are a Hacker’s Dream
    Still using “admin/admin” or “123456”? You’re not alone—and hackers know it. Most office printers still run on default login credentials.
  3. They’re a Backdoor to Your Network
    Printers are often connected to your network and Wi-Fi. Once compromised, they can become a launchpad for malware or ransomware attacks.
  4. Print Jobs Can Be Intercepted
    If print jobs aren’t encrypted, hackers can capture them in transit—especially dangerous for legal or medical documents.
  5. They Can Spy on Your Business
    Many modern printers include scan-to-email and file storage capabilities. A hacker with access could pull those scanned documents remotely.
  6. Outdated Firmware Leaves You Wide Open
    Most businesses never update their printer firmware, leaving them vulnerable to exploits that hackers are all too familiar with.
  7. Retired Printers Still Hold Data
    Disposing of an old printer without wiping the hard drive? You might as well hand over your data to the dark web. Residual data on discarded printers can lead to legal liabilities and breaches.

🔐 How to Protect Your Printers (and Your Business)

Here’s what we recommend for Metro Atlanta businesses to lock down printer vulnerabilities:

  1. Change Default Passwords Immediately
    Set strong, unique credentials—just like you would for your email or banking platforms.
  2. Update Printer Firmware Regularly
    Check for updates or have your IT provider ensure your devices are running the latest security patches.
  3. Encrypt All Print Jobs
    Use features like Secure Print or built-in encryption to prevent document interception.
  4. Limit Who Can Print
    Control access with user authentication or PIN codes, especially for confidential print jobs.
  5. Clear Stored Data Frequently
    Delete stored print jobs and encrypt any onboard hard drives. Wipe all data before disposing of or recycling a device.
  6. Place Printers Behind Your Firewall
    Treat printers like any other network device. They should be protected against outside access.
  7. Monitor Printer Activity Logs
    Track who’s printing what and when. Unusual activity could be an early sign of a breach.

🛡 Printers Aren’t Just Machines – They’re Gateways

At Custom Technologies, Inc., we help Metro Atlanta businesses recognize the full scope of cybersecurity threats—including the ones they never saw coming. Printers are often the weakest link, but with the right precautions, they don’t have to be.

✅ Ready to Lock Down Your Office Equipment?

Let’s make sure your printer isn’t the soft spot in your cyber defense. Start with a FREE Network Security Assessment from our expert team.

We’ll review your network—including often-overlooked endpoints like printers—to identify vulnerabilities and strengthen your security from top to bottom.

👉 Click here to schedule your FREE Network Assessment now!