Cloud print security is becoming increasingly popular for SMBs as businesses move away from on-premises solutions, and while it brings advantages such as flexibility and cost, there are also threats from cybercriminals, which is being rapidly exacerbated by AI. So how do resellers ensure that SMB customers’ cloud print facilities are as secure as possible now and in the future?
Cloud print solutions are increasingly used by small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that appreciate the flexibility they bring, as well as their cost effectiveness. But with the advantages come threats, as they provide another attack surface for cybercriminals to potentially exploit.
Indeed, this is a very real threat. “A spate of high-profile cyberattacks affecting British businesses over the last 12 months or so means security has rarely been under more scrutiny,” says Greig Millar, chief revenue officer at Brother UK.
“As a result, enhanced cybersecurity support is now one of the top five trust-builders for IT decision-makers when selecting technology vendors, according to our Tech Trust Index. AI is now accelerating the pace at which threats evolve, giving cybercriminals new ways to test defences and exploit weak points. Without the right attention, print can be one of those weak points and often flies under the radar as a threat.”
The threats that SMBs face in terms of cloud print security are significant and increasing, agrees Nick Taylor, head of growth for office printing and business print & scan at Epson UK & Ireland. “Modern multifunction printers are connected endpoints with operating systems, storage and access to business networks, yet they are still often treated as passive office equipment,” he notes.
“Risks range from outdated firmware and exposed network services to print jobs being intercepted in transit or sensitive documents being left unattended. Hybrid working has widened the attack surface further, with employees printing across home networks, satellite offices and other locations outside the traditional corporate perimeter.”
Stuart Miller, partner channel director at Canon UK & Ireland, agrees that every connected device is an endpoint and a potential security risk, whether it’s a laptop, printer or even a browser. “As organisations adopt more cloud-based print infrastructure, cloud-connected printers become an increasingly important part of the wider security strategy, processing sensitive documents and connecting into business networks, which can expand an organisation’s attack surface if not properly secured,” he adds.
“In fact, 56% of businesses reported at least one print-related data loss in the past year. While attackers are becoming more automated and sophisticated, they continue to exploit the same basic vulnerabilities. That’s why understanding what devices are connected, who has access to them and how they’re managed remains the foundation of good security.”
AI threat
One driver of the increase in the number and complexity of cyberthreats to cloud print security is AI. “AI is now accelerating the pace at which threats evolve, giving cybercriminals new ways to test defences and exploit weak points,” says Grieg. “Without the right attention, print can be one of those weak points and often flies under the radar as a threat.
“There are two main points in a print network that a potential hacker looks to target – a document’s journey to the printer once a user hits ‘print’, and when the document arrives at the device. As more businesses move print and document management to the cloud, teams are scanning, accessing and sharing documents from various locations, increasing exposure to cyberthreats.
“But software, which is sometimes aided by AI, is also the primary solution. Automation plays a crucial role in monitoring devices, workflow control and helping businesses identify vulnerabilities before attackers do.”
Stuart notes that AI isn’t creating new cyberthreats; it’s supercharging the threats organisations already face. “It enables attackers to launch more personalised phishing campaigns, automate malicious code generation and operate at much greater scale,” he explains.
“At the same time, AI is becoming a valuable defensive tool. It can improve vulnerability scanning, reduce false positives and help security teams detect and isolate threats more quickly. Investing in AI-enabled security gives organisations greater visibility and helps them respond more effectively as attacks continue to evolve.”
Nick agrees that AI is making attacks faster and more convincing. “Cybercriminals can use it to imitate cloud print notifications and scan for exposed devices or outdated firmware at scale,” he says.
AI-driven systems may also help identify unusual behaviour, Nick adds. “For example, a user suddenly printing hundreds of pages from an unfamiliar location [it can] automatically pause the job or alert an administrator,” he says. “It’s important to note, however, that these tools should complement, rather than replace, core security controls.”
What’s needed in a solution
An effective cloud print security solution should have several layers of protection. Nick says that secure-release printing should hold documents until the user authenticates at the device, reducing the risk of confidential material being left on a tray. “Print data should also be encrypted in transit and while temporarily stored in the cloud, and the print environment should integrate with the organisation’s existing identity and access management systems, while devices must be kept updated and securely configured,” he adds.
Stuart says that security should be built into products from the outset using principles such as secure by design and zero trust. “Innovations such as the imageFORCE range, which incorporates machine learning-powered security optimisation tools to help minimise vulnerabilities, demonstrate how intelligent devices can strengthen security from the point of deployment by reducing human error and misconfigured devices,” he adds.
“Alongside this, Canon’s uniFLOW Online helps safeguard credentials across devices, documents and data, providing organisations with greater visibility and control over their cloud print environment.”
Greig says the best results are when effective cloud print security is built into the workflow itself, not treated as an add-on. “Through Brother Cloud Solutions, which is integrated with Tungsten Automation’s AutoStore and Printix, businesses can use features such as cloud secure print, end-to-end encryption, user authentication and role-based access control to reduce the risk of unauthorised access, data leakage and human error,” he adds.
“For example, documents can be held securely in the cloud until the authorised user releases them at the device, while access controls can limit functions for teams handling sensitive information.”
Reseller conversations
Cloud print security should be a fundamental part of conversations resellers have with their customers. “Resellers should explain that printer security is part of network security,” says Nick. “The conversation should focus on practical risks, including who can access devices, how updates are managed and what happens to uncollected documents.
“They should also highlight the wider business benefits. Secure printing can reduce waste and support compliance without making employees’ jobs more difficult.”
Resellers should focus on helping SMBs address the knowledge gap that often exists around print security, says Stuart. “While many businesses understand the importance of securing devices, servers and networks, print infrastructure can be overlooked,” he adds. “By educating customers on best practices and taking a holistic approach to print security, resellers can help reduce risk and improve cyber resilience. Canon supports this through partner workshops, training programmes and practical playbooks, such as the Security Roadmap that equip resellers with the skills and guidance needed to advise customers with confidence.”
Greig adds that resellers can play a key role in helping customers focus on solutions that are straightforward to deploy, easy to manage and give them confidence in how their data is handled. “Threats will continue to evolve, so the resellers that partner with vendors that keep security current through compatible software and proactive monitoring will be the ones keeping customers safest,” he says.
Future
It is anticipated that cloud print security threats will continue to grow in the next 12–18 months, and resellers should plan for this accordingly.
Nick says that as cloud adoption and AI-enabled attacks increase, resellers should move beyond one-off hardware sales towards ongoing managed services. “Priorities should include proactive patching, regular security reviews, zero trust principles and simple user experiences,” he adds.
“The strongest partners will treat print as part of the customer’s broader security and data-protection strategy, supporting the environment throughout its lifecycle.”
While threats will continue to evolve, attackers are still likely to exploit the same fundamental weaknesses using increasingly automated and personalised techniques, Stuart notes. “Rather than chasing every new threat, resellers should help customers strengthen the vulnerabilities we know are being exploited today,” he adds. “By improving the basics, improving visibility across connected devices, supporting proactive monitoring and adopting a layered security approach.”
