Printers have increasingly become targets for security breaches, bringing them to the forefront of device management for 2024. In the past 12 months, approximately 61% of businesses worldwide have experienced data loss due to printer security breaches. This issue is further exacerbated by the fact that nearly 90% of organisations globally lose track of its printer inventory during changes or relocations, a major blind spot in organisational security strategies.

SOTI vice president for sales APAC Michael Dyson explained the impact of unmanaged printers in organisations. "Unaccounted for printers in organisations are not just an inventory issue; they are a critical operational and security challenge. Misplaced printers, worth thousands, disrupt essential services — from pharmacy deliveries to retail customer experiences — and pose significant security risks.”

The printer blind spot – potential point of entry into an organisation
Modern printers have become particularly vulnerable to security risks due to the new functionalities, such as receiving print jobs via email. The presence of a direct internet communication channel in these printers, makes them potential entry points for infiltrating an organisation. Comparing printer security with mobile device protection reveals a clear contrast. While 77% of organisations are confident in securing mobile devices, only 19% of enterprises are considered print security leaders, with 56% of businesses excluding printers from their security strategy. This discrepancy has resulted in less than 2% of printers being considered secure.

"Businesses must urgently rethink their approach. We all recognise that today's phone is more than a call-making device; it is a crucial, data-handling supercomputer in our pocket. Similarly, a printer is not just for printing; it is holding confidential data and a gateway to corporate networks, making it a potential security entry point, even as it prints labels or receipts," said Dyson. "Internet-enabled printers, much like mini-computers, need the same level of monitoring and similar protection as other network devices.”

The integration of personal devices into corporate networks, intensified by BYOD policies adopted by 36% of Australian organisations, adds complexity. While this shift enables flexibility, it underscores the need for robust access controls, a sentiment echoed by 40% of Australian organisations highlighting the need for better network protection.

Security begins with visibility
As device use in enterprises continues to surge, with 69% of global organisations expected to manage over 1,000 devices by 2025, the need for scalable support, effective security tools and comprehensive device management strategies becomes critical. With 65% of organisations unable to track and manage devices remotely, and 57% reporting an increase in the mix of devices used, there is a growing concern that many businesses are inadequately prepared to handle the evolving challenges of cybersecurity and device management. This lack of oversight and expertise increases the risk of security breaches, operational disruptions and compliance issues, particularly as reliance on technology in business operations continues to rise.

Dyson stressed that the need for robust printer security in 2024 was non-negotiable. “In today’s fast-evolving tech landscape, total visibility of business-critical printing devices, whether nearby or remote, is essential,” stated Dyson. “Employing Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) or Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions is not a choice but a necessity for businesses and insight into operational intelligence. Printer management solutions like SOTI Connect provide crucial visibility into printer movements. Without it, businesses face not only logistical headaches but also risk compliance and reputational damages going forward.”

SOTI’s report When Work is Anywhere: Managing Technology’s Role in the Distributed Workforce can be downloaded here.

Report methodology
SOTI’s research was conducted online between 4-17 February 2023, via interviews with 2,500 people aged 18 and over. The interviews were conducted via online methods, with IT professionals working in companies comprising of more than 50 employees globally. The 2,500 interviews were split across eight markets. These were: U.S. (500), Canada (250), Mexico (250), UK (500), Germany (250), France (250), Sweden (250) and Australia (250). In addition to seeking to present global, overarching trends, the results were broken down by these individual markets while also analysing data from different company sizes and sectors.

About SOTI
SOTI is a proven innovator and industry leader for simplifying business mobility solutions by making them smarter, faster, and more reliable. With SOTI’s innovative portfolio of solutions, organisations can trust SOTI to elevate and streamline their mobile operations, maximise their ROI and reduce device downtime. Globally, with over 17,000 customers, SOTI has proven itself to be the go-to mobile platform provider to manage, secure and support business-critical devices. With SOTI’s world-class support, enterprises can take mobility to endless possibilities. For more information, visit soti.net.