Keeping printers in the classroom despite security concerns

[Escher007]

I am an art educator of 23 years, that has enjoyed having HP products in my classroom.  I have done fundraising to provide my students with a color laser printer, which has given me the ability to print students creations, resources, and visuals. Recently our school district has pulled all printers from classrooms due to "security concerns".  The reasoning behind this is that school networks can be hacked through the printer.  While there might be some legitimate security concerns, I have a difficult time believing that there are not any solutions to either fix the problem, or completely negate the potential of hacking via the printers.  Many of us in the school rely on ability to immediately print resources for students.  Sending documents to a copier in a different part of the building or color prints in a different building is not conducive or practical.

I understand that while there are many factors to consider when securing a network, it seems like a kneejerk reaction to strip educators of being able to print in their classrooms.   If a printer is fully updated, and is not connected to the network through ethernet or wireless connections, is it still a potential security risk?  If I were to only plug the printer in directly through USB when I want to print, shouldn't that be enough to insure it is not an access point for potential hacking?  If not, what can I do to ensure the security of a printer?  I'd like to be able to come back to the administration with solutions to get our printer back.   Thank you!

[Raj_05]

Hi @Escher007,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

Your concerns about losing access to a printer in your classroom are completely understandable. Printers are essential tools for educators, and their removal can significantly impact day-to-day activities. Here are some strategies and solutions you can consider to address the security concerns while ensuring the functionality of your classroom printer.

Security Considerations and Solutions

Update Firmware Regularly: Ensure that your printer’s firmware is always up to date. HP frequently releases updates that patch security vulnerabilities. Regularly checking for and applying updates can help mitigate risks.

Network Configuration:

• Use USB Connections: As you suggested, connecting the printer via USB rather than through the network can greatly reduce its risk of being exploited through network vulnerabilities. Ensure that the printer is only connected to the network when necessary.
• Network Segmentation: If the printer needs to be connected to the network, use VLANs or separate network segments to isolate printers from other critical parts of the network.

Access Control:

• Restrict Access: Limit access to the printer’s settings and management interface. Use strong, unique passwords for the printer’s admin accounts and disable any unnecessary features.
• Enable Authentication: Use features like secure print release, where print jobs are held until the user authenticates at the printer. This prevents unauthorized access to printed documents.

Disable Unnecessary Features:

• Disable Remote Management: If your printer supports remote management, disable it unless absolutely necessary. This reduces the potential attack surface.
• Turn Off Unused Ports: If the printer has unused network interfaces or ports, disable them to minimize potential vulnerabilities.

Audit and Monitor:

• Regular Audits: Conduct regular security audits of the printer’s settings and access logs.
• Monitor Network Traffic: If the printer is networked, monitor its traffic for any unusual or unauthorized activity.

Education and Training:

• Train Staff: Educate staff about secure printer practices, including how to handle sensitive documents and how to identify potential security threats.

Presenting Solutions to Administration

When discussing these solutions with your administration, you can emphasize the following points.

• Risk Mitigation: Highlight how these security measures address specific concerns while allowing you to maintain access to a crucial tool for education.
• Cost and Efficiency: Point out the potential cost savings and efficiency benefits of having a printer in the classroom versus the inconvenience and additional costs of using central printers or copiers.
• Best Practices: Explain that these measures align with best practices for securing networked devices and can be part of a broader strategy to safeguard the school’s IT infrastructure.
• Pilot Program: Suggest starting with a pilot program where a few classrooms are equipped with printers under these security guidelines to demonstrate their effectiveness.

By implementing these strategies and presenting a well-rounded approach, you can make a strong case for keeping a printer in your classroom while addressing the administration’s security concerns.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4

HP Support 

[Escher007]

Thank you for the detailed information.  Is there a way to determine if my specific printer (HP LaserJet CP1525nw) is a potential risk to the network?  (e.g. If the firmware is no longer being updated to address security issues?)  Are there any specific features that printers should/should not have which make them a good candidates for a pilot program?