2024's Most Shocking Data Breaches and How to Protect Your Business

Is Your Printer the Biggest Security Threat in Your CPA Office?

When we talk about cybersecurity threats, most CPA and financial professionals think of phishing emails or cloud breaches. But what if the most overlooked risk is sitting quietly in your office — your printer?

That unassuming device is often connected to your network, storing sensitive data and providing a hidden entry point for cybercriminals.

At Capital Network Solutions (CNS), we help Sacramento-area firms uncover these risks and protect every endpoint — including the humble printer.

Why Office Printers Are a Prime Target

Printers today are no longer “dumb” machines — they’re smart devices with memory, firmware, and network access. Here’s why that’s a serious problem:

1. Default Credentials

Many office printers still use factory-default login info like admin/admin. If never updated, that’s a free pass for hackers.

2. Local Storage of Sensitive Documents

Printers store copies of tax returns, financial statements, and scanned files in onboard memory — making them a goldmine if breached.

3. Network Gateway for Attackers

Once inside the printer, cybercriminals can move laterally into your network, compromising other devices or accessing client files.

4. Ignored Firmware Updates

Printers often go unpatched, leaving vulnerabilities open for months (or years). Hackers know this — and they exploit it.

What’s at Stake for CPA and Financial Firms

  • SOC 2 and IRS 4557 Violations

  • Client Trust and Confidentiality Breaches

  • Fines, Lawsuits, and Insurance Claims

  • Massive Downtime During Peak Season

If you’re not securing your printers, you’re leaving a side door wide open.

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How CNS Secures Your Print Environment

As a Microsoft Partner and SOC 2-compliant IT provider, CNS delivers advanced protection for every device on your network — including printers. Here’s how we help:

  • Enforce strong, unique passwords on all printer accounts

  • Install and monitor firmware updates regularly

  • Encrypt print jobs end-to-end to prevent interception

  • Restrict print access by user role and time of day

  • Perform full data wipes when devices are decommissioned

  • Include printers in our 24/7 system monitoring and alerting

Why CPA Firms Choose CNS for Complete Endpoint Security

Capital Network Solutions (CNS) supports CPA firms, financial advisors, property managers, and mortgage professionals across Sacramento. Our security framework is tailored for industries handling sensitive data.

  • Average hold time: just 90 seconds

  • Full SOC 2 readiness built in

  • We speak your language — QuickBooks, CCH, Lacerte, and more

  • Flat-rate pricing with no surprise fees

Let’s Secure Every Endpoint — Not Just the Obvious Ones

Printers may seem harmless, but they’re part of your attack surface — and they deserve the same security attention as your servers and email.

👉 Visit www.callcns.com to schedule a free consultation and endpoint risk assessment for your firm.