Print security incidents hit over half in ANZ survey

Konica Minolta has released research showing that more than half of organisations in Australia and New Zealand faced a print-related security incident in the past year. The findings are based on a survey of 400 senior IT decision-makers across both markets.

The study found that 56 per cent of Australian organisations and 52 per cent of New Zealand organisations reported a print-related security incident in the previous 12 months. The results point to weaknesses in how many businesses govern print systems, even as they increase spending on broader cyber defences.

Print security has often received less attention than networks, endpoints and cloud systems, but the survey suggests it remains a significant source of risk. Hybrid work has created new exposure through home and remote printing, while older weaknesses such as poor authentication controls and limited use of secure release printing continue to put sensitive documents at risk.

John Harding, general manager - managed services, Konica Minolta Australia, described the scale of the issue as unexpected.

"These figures genuinely surprised us. Organisations have invested heavily in strengthening their cybersecurity posture, yet the research shows print continues to sit outside many governance frameworks. Print environments have become an integral part of the broader IT ecosystem and should be managed with the same level of governance and security oversight," Harding said.

The report is the first instalment in a three-part digital workplace research series developed with analyst firm Omdia. It points to a shift in how organisations view office print infrastructure, arguing that connected printers and multifunction devices should be treated as part of the broader IT environment rather than as standalone office hardware.

Common gaps

The most common problems identified were vulnerabilities in home and remote printing, print jobs left unsecured on devices, inconsistent authentication across sites, and gaps in secure release printing. Those shortcomings vary by market.

In Australia, inconsistent authentication was identified as the biggest governance gap. In New Zealand, secure release printing was the most significant weakness. Home and remote printing was cited as the leading print security vulnerability in both countries.

The findings also suggest organisations are placing greater emphasis on print security when choosing suppliers and systems. According to the research, security certifications and controls are now the top criteria in selecting print technology.

That concern appears to be flowing into spending plans. Nearly three-quarters of Australian organisations surveyed, or 72 per cent, said they expected to increase investment in print security over the next 12 months. In New Zealand, 61 per cent said the same.

Paul Colarelli, product marketing manager, Konica Minolta Australia, said many businesses could tighten controls without replacing entire systems.

"Modern print environments process, store and transmit sensitive information every day. Strengthening print security does not always require a complete technology overhaul. For many organisations, the priority is to strengthen authentication, apply security controls consistently, and manage print as part of the broader cybersecurity strategy," Colarelli said.

Wider cyber risk

The report comes as businesses continue to revisit security arrangements shaped by hybrid work and the spread of cloud-connected systems. Printers and related devices are increasingly tied into cloud platforms, business applications and identity systems, placing them closer to the core of day-to-day operations than in the past.

That integration can widen the consequences of weak controls. A compromised device, unsecured document output, or weak user verification process can create a path to data exposure even where other parts of an organisation's cyber posture have been strengthened.

Trevor Clarke, chief analyst, Omdia, said the findings showed that established communication channels still require close attention.

"The research shows that even in a well-known vector like cloud printing, we continue to suffer from incidents and operational resilience challenges. The survey results show we expect the AI era to introduce more risks and security threats; however, we can't let our pursuit of the new, aka agentic AI, reduce our vigilance in keeping traditional communication channels secure," Clarke said.

The practical steps outlined in the report include reviewing remote printing policies, applying secure release printing more widely, maintaining device security, and integrating print into broader cyber governance frameworks. The survey's underlying message is that many organisations still treat print as a separate operational function even though the technology is now embedded in broader digital workflows.

Across Australia and New Zealand, the results indicate that print-related incidents remain common despite broader investment in cybersecurity, with home printing, authentication weaknesses and unsecured document release among the most persistent issues.