Is Cloud Printing Secure? Debunking the Myths Behind Print Security in the Cloud

And it’s no surprise. With printers increasingly connected to wider networks and capable of storing, processing, and transmitting sensitive data, the thought of sending documents “into the cloud” can feel risky. In fact, a Cybernews experiment made headlines when researchers hacked over 28,000 unsecured printers worldwide - all to raise awareness about how often these endpoints go unprotected.

Questions like “Is my data safe in transit?” or “Will I lose control without on-premise servers?” are completely valid, especially in a landscape where cyber threats are growing in volume and sophistication. But here’s the thing: many of these fears stem from outdated assumptions or misunderstandings about how cloud printing actually works.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the most common security concerns surrounding cloud printing - and separate fact from fiction, so you can move forward with confidence.

Common concerns about cloud printing.

“What happens to my data in transit?”

The concern: Sending documents via the cloud means they’re bouncing around the internet - will that increase the risk?

The reality: With solutions like Toshiba’s e-BRIDGE Global Print, your data is protected with end-to-end encryption. Every print job is encrypted at the user’s device, securely transmitted via HTTPS (TLS 1.2), and decrypted only when it’s released at the MFP by an authorised user.

And unlike traditional environments, there's no need for exposed printer ports or print servers sitting vulnerable on your network. All requests are initiated by the user, eliminating the risks associated with passive listening or man-in-the-middle attacks.

“Can cloud platforms be hacked more easily than on-premise?”

The concern: If our print jobs are managed online, aren’t we opening up a bigger attack opportunity?

The reality: Cloud does not mean “open” - in fact, modern cloud print systems are often more secure than fragmented on-premise setups. Why? Traditional environments can rely on outdated firmware, open network ports, and inconsistent device-level security.

Toshiba’s cloud architecture uses zero-trust principles, requiring secure tokens for every transaction between the workstation, cloud, and MFP. MFPs and client devices communicate only over encrypted channels, and the infrastructure is hosted on leading cloud providers like AWS and Microsoft Azure, inheriting frameworks like SOC 2 and ISO/IEC 27001 compliance.

“Will I lose visibility or control over what’s being printed?”

The concern: Without local servers, how do we track print usage or enforce policies?

The reality: Cloud print management gives you more control, not less. With Toshiba’s e-FOLLOW.cloud solution, Admins can monitor activity via centralised dashboards, enforce print quotas, manage authentication policies, and view real-time audit logs - even across distributed teams.

With role-based access controls, only approved users can access their print queues. And thanks to pull-printing, documents are never left uncollected on the tray; they’re only released when the user is at the device and authenticated via PIN, badge, or credentials.

“What about compliance - can we still meet industry regulations?”

The concern: Sensitive data like HR records or financial documents must be handled with care. Can cloud printing stay compliant?

The reality: Toshiba’s cloud printing solutions are designed with compliance in mind. From automatic job deletion after a set period, to data separation between clients, to auditable tracking logs, cloud printing can often simplify compliance compared to complex, decentralised on-premise systems.

For industries like healthcare, finance, or legal, secure print release ensures Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is only accessed by the right user at the right time.

Where cloud outweighs the concern.

We’re not here to bash on-prem. For some environments, hybrid setups or local servers remain a crucial part of print infrastructure. But when it comes to security, many perceived risks of cloud printing are just that - perceptions.

Cloud printing, when implemented with the right tools, offers:

• Centralised, policy-driven security
• Encrypted data flows and zero-trust architecture
• Better control over authentication and access
• Simplified compliance management
• Fewer vulnerable endpoints

Final thoughts: Cloud is not the risk - it’s the upgrade.

Your printers are no longer just office equipment - they’re connected endpoints. That means they deserve the same level of protection as your laptops, phones, or cloud storage platforms.

With Toshiba’s Cloud Printing solutions, businesses don’t have to choose between flexibility and security. It’s possible to print from anywhere, without leaving your data exposed. Whether you're already cloud-ready or just starting the journey, we’re here to help you navigate it with confidence.