Printer companies now sell endpoint protection as a subscription — will others follow?

The Evolving Landscape of Printer Security

As the lines between traditional hardware providers and cybersecurity vendors continue to blur, printer brands are stepping into the cybersecurity field. However, despite these advancements, hackers can still exploit business printers as an easy backdoor into corporate networks. This growing concern has prompted companies like Canon to rethink their approach to security.

Canon, long known for its cameras and office printing hardware, is now offering a tiered cybersecurity subscription aimed at protecting endpoint devices, documents, and data. The service includes two tiers: Enhanced and Premium. The Enhanced tier covers basics such as firmware updates and data backup, while the Premium tier introduces proactive monitoring, threat detection, and rapid device recovery.

Security Concerns and Vulnerabilities

The launch of this new service comes amid serious security concerns related to Canon's print infrastructure. Recent disclosures have highlighted high-severity driver vulnerabilities and potential network breaches that were advertised on underground forums. Just days before the new subscription service was announced, Microsoft’s offensive security team disclosed a critical vulnerability, CVE-2025-1268, affecting Canon’s printer drivers.

This flaw, which scores 9.4 on the CVSS scale, could enable attackers to halt printing or execute arbitrary code under certain conditions. Canon issued advisories and urged users to update vulnerable drivers, particularly those tied to several production and office printer models. While patching is essential, the persistence of such flaws highlights the broader risks that poorly secured print infrastructure can pose.

Adding to this unease, reports suggest that Canon has become the subject of underground listings offering root-level access to its internal firewall systems. Although the company has not confirmed any such breach, security analysts continue to monitor claims circulating on dark web forums that purport to offer access allowing attackers to create backdoors or move laterally through the corporate network.

A Strategic Move for Canon

Against this backdrop, Canon’s new Subscription Security Services may be seen as both a response to reputational risk and an attempt to reposition itself as more than just a printer supplier. Though these services resemble endpoint protection platform (EPP) features, they are focused solely on Canon’s device environment.

Whether this strategy gains traction depends on more than just Canon’s execution, as there is still a fair amount of skepticism around traditional hardware companies taking on roles typically reserved for antivirus and cybersecurity providers. For businesses managing large fleets of print devices, consolidating protection through the hardware vendor may offer convenience, but it raises questions about scope, integration, and oversight.

If others in the hardware sector begin offering similar subscriptions, the market could see a gradual expansion of what constitutes EPP. This shift could lead to a new era where security solutions are integrated directly with the hardware they protect, potentially offering more seamless and comprehensive protection.

The Broader Implications

As the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, the role of traditional hardware providers is being redefined. Companies like Canon are no longer just selling printers; they are offering security solutions that aim to address the growing threats associated with connected devices. However, the success of these initiatives will depend on how well they integrate with existing systems and whether they can build trust among customers who are wary of relying on hardware vendors for cybersecurity.

In the end, the convergence of hardware and cybersecurity presents both opportunities and challenges. While it may streamline security management for some businesses, it also requires careful consideration of the risks involved. As more companies enter this space, the industry will need to establish clear standards and best practices to ensure that these new security offerings provide real value without compromising the integrity of corporate networks.