Print security (Print Security) is becoming an increasingly critical component of SMB cybersecurity strategies, as printers evolve from simple office devices into connected network endpoints.

Despite this shift, many small and medium-sized businesses still treat printers as “set-and-forget” infrastructure, excluding them from core cybersecurity and data protection frameworks.

This creates a dangerous security gap in modern digital workplaces.

Printers as a Hidden Security Blind Spot

Recent data shows that 57% of SMBs rank print security as a low priority within their cybersecurity strategy, even though sensitive business data flows through printers every day.

This mismatch between data sensitivity and security oversight creates what experts call a cybersecurity blind spot, which attackers can exploit to access confidential business information without detection.

Hybrid Work Expands Print Security Risks

The rise of hybrid work environments has extended printing workflows beyond traditional office boundaries into:

• Home networks
• Shared workspaces
• Personal devices

These distributed environments make it harder for SMBs to monitor or control print activity.

Sensitive data such as:

• Payroll records
• Contracts
• Customer information
• Medical files

can pass through printers at any stage. A single misdirected print job or uncollected document can result in data leakage without any visible sign of a breach.

Research: Over Half of SMBs Experienced Print-Related Data Loss

According to Quocirca research, 56% of SMBs experienced a print-related data loss incident in the past year.

Additional findings from HP Print Security research highlight that:

• 55% of SMBs report employees bypass print security policies
• 66% of knowledge workers assume printers are secure by default
• Nearly 50% do not consider printers a cybersecurity risk

These findings highlight a clear gap in print security awareness across organizations.

Key Print Security Risks in SMB Environments

The main risks associated with print infrastructure include:

• Cybersecurity vulnerabilities in network-connected printers
• Sensitive documents left unattended at printers
• Cloud scanning security gaps
• Unauthorized access to print queues and files
• Mismanagement or loss of printed documents

While these risks are manageable, they require SMBs to integrate print security into their cybersecurity strategy, rather than treating it as a peripheral function.

Legacy Printers: A Gateway for Cyber Attacks

Approximately 65% of SMBs express concern over legacy system vulnerabilities. However, many still rely on outdated printers running obsolete firmware and default credentials.

These weaknesses create direct entry points into enterprise networks, especially when printers are not actively monitored or secured.

Common vulnerabilities include:

• Outdated firmware
• Default or unchanged credentials
• Lack of security monitoring

This significantly increases the cyberattack surface (Attack Surface) within SMB IT environments.

Smart Print Security as a Strategic Solution

Nearly 69% of SMBs acknowledge that print security requires improvement.

Smart printing security (Smart Print Security) addresses this by embedding:

• Real-time visibility into print and scan activity
• Centralized policy enforcement
• Comprehensive audit trails
• Access control mechanisms

Research shows measurable benefits among organizations that adopted smart print solutions:

• 89% report improved visibility across users and locations
• 86% improved compliance with security standards
• 85% stronger enforcement of security policies

Printers Are Now Part of Digital Infrastructure

In today’s digital transformation era, printers are no longer standalone office tools. They are now part of the broader digital infrastructure and endpoint ecosystem.

As organizations adopt cloud computing and hybrid work models, printers must receive the same level of protection as:

• Laptops
• Servers
• Network endpoints

Recommendations for SMB Cybersecurity Strategy

To improve print security in SMBs, organizations should focus on three core pillars:

• Secure-by-design printing hardware
• Adaptive protection against evolving cyber threats
• Full visibility and control over print workflows

Conclusion: Print Security Can No Longer Be Ignored

Integrating print security into SMB cybersecurity strategies is no longer optional—it is essential.

In an era of rising cyber threats, security risks are no longer limited to traditional IT systems. They extend to every connected endpoint—including printers.