When you think of cybersecurity risks, you probably picture servers, cloud accounts, or phishing emails. But sometimes, the weakest link is sitting quietly in the corner of the office: your printer.
A real-world case
A mid-sized company faced a sudden security incident that left its IT team scrambling.
Here’s what happened:
- A network printer was left exposed to the internet.
- Default credentials (admin/admin) were still active.
- An attacker logged in remotely and uploaded malicious firmware.
- The printer was used as a pivot point into the internal network.
- From there, the attacker scanned other devices, escalating access.
- Sensitive documents that passed through the printer’s memory were exfiltrated.
The breach didn’t start with ransomware or phishing. It started with office hardware.
Why this matters
- IoT and office devices are often overlooked. Printers, cameras, smart TVs, and even coffee machines can connect to the same network as your critical systems.
- They’re poorly monitored. Many businesses don’t include them in vulnerability scans or patch cycles.
- Attackers know it. These “quiet” devices are low-hanging fruit for gaining initial access.
What businesses should do
- 🔒 Change default credentials immediately after setup.
- 🔍 Segment networks. Keep office hardware on a separate VLAN from critical systems.
- 📦 Update firmware regularly. Many devices run outdated versions with known flaws.
- 🚫 Disable internet access for devices that don’t need it.
- 🤖 Use automated monitoring to detect forgotten or exposed endpoints.
Final thought
Your cybersecurity strategy can’t stop at servers and laptops. If your printer, camera, or thermostat is online and unprotected, it can be the door that attackers walk through.
Your weakest link might be printing your documents right now.
