Print security under siege: AI’s growing role in IT risk

AI is giving cybercriminals new ways to exploit print infrastructure. Cybercriminals are using AI to break into print infrastructure more easily. They scan networks, gather information and avoid detection. Yet only 36% of companies update printer software on time, leaving many devices open to attack. With long refresh cycles and limited visibility, printers and scanners are quietly becoming an accessible entry point for AI-driven attacks.

According to Quocirca’s Print Security Landscape 2025 report, the average cost of a print-related data breach now stands at £820,000. That’s before factoring in the reputational fallout or potential legal consequences. With AI-enabled attacks becoming more targeted and harder to detect, it’s no surprise that 83% of organisations plan to increase their print security investment this year.

To stay ahead, IT leaders need to rethink how they secure print in an AI-powered threat landscape.

If AI is part of the threat, then it can also be part of the solution. As cyberattacks become more automated and evasive, organisations need intelligent defences that can keep pace. In fact, Quocirca’s research shows 87% of IT decision-makers believe it’s important for vendors to use AI and machine learning to identify security threats and cyberattacks.

Investing in AI-enhanced infrastructure is important for organisations looking to strengthen their print security posture. For example, our imageFORCE multifunction printers use AI-powered firmware to analyse network environments and suggest the best security settings.

By integrating AI into their print environment, organisations can move from passive protection to adaptive security that evolves with the threat landscape.

However advanced malware becomes, strong cyber hygiene is key in stopping AI-enabled attackers from exploiting everyday behaviours and overlooked settings.

To support a stronger print security posture, IT leaders can focus on high-impact practices that help reduce exposure to AI-enabled threats:

- Prioritise multi-factor authentication: A proven defence against AI-driven credential attacks, multi-factor authentication helps secure access to print systems without adding friction for users.

- Maintain a consistent firmware update cycle: Regular updates – such as those available for our print and scan devices – prevent vulnerabilities that AI tools are quick to identify and exploit.

- Secure remote and mobile printing workflows: Ensure that cloud and mobile print services are encrypted and authenticated, especially in hybrid environments where endpoint control is more complex.

- Raise awareness of AI-generated fakes: Train staff to recognise and report suspicious documents that mimic internal communications or official templates.

Embedding these practices into everyday print workflows is a practical way to reduce risk and build resilience into your print infrastructure.

Printers are connected, data-rich devices that can be exploited if left unprotected. Applying zero trust principles to print helps reduce risk, limit exposure and ensure consistent security across the entire IT environment.

This includes practices such as securely configuring devices during onboarding, segmenting networks to limit lateral movement, and monitoring activity in real time to detect unusual behaviour. Our information security solutions are designed to support these principles, helping organisations enforce access controls at the hardware level and respond quickly to emerging risks.

In a threat landscape shaped by automation and AI, a zero-trust approach helps keep the entire print infrastructure secure.

AI is changing how attackers operate. Organisations now face a new generation of cyber threats, making it vital to secure every part of their IT estate – including their print and scan technology.

To stay ahead, IT leaders can focus on implementing AI-driven threat detection, strong cyber hygiene, and applying zero trust principles to print and scan environments.

At Canon, we support organisations in protecting their data through our information security solutions, including imageFORCE multifunction devices and secure print and scan management software. But implementing new technology in line with a comprehensive security strategy is always key. With the right strategy and tools in place, organisations can build a print security posture that’s ready for the challenges of today – and the challenges ahead.

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Our award-winning unifFLOW Online complements this intelligence with secure, centralised print and scan management from cloud. It enables secure print release, user authentication, encrypted document handling, and real-time cost tracking - all without the need for on-premise servers. Whether you're managing multiple locations or supporting hybrid workforce, uniFLOW Online gives IT teams the visibility and control they need to stay agile and compliant while operating within zero trust environments where every access point must be verified.