Konica Minolta is proud to announce that it has retained its position as a ‘Leader’ in Quocirca’s 2025 latest assessment of the print security market, for a fourth consecutive year. The global market insight and research firm which specializes in the convergence of print and digital technologies in the future workplace, recognizes how Konica Minolta ‘retains a keen focus on enhancing print and endpoint security across three pillars – device-level resilience, managed security services, and workflow automation – aligned to support zero trust environments and evolving compliance demands'.
AI-Driven Threats Redefine Print Security Priorities
Published in July, Quocirca’s Print Security Landscape 2025 report includes an Industry Survey, which was conducted among 400 IT decision-makers involved in the print infrastructure in their organizations. Quocirca’s report highlights the growing sophistication of threats targeting corporate print infrastructure, especially with the rise in use of AI-powered devices. It is therefore no surprise that 40% of respondents are concerned about the risks posed by AI, and 86% of respondents say it’s important for vendors to use AI and machine learning to detect potential security threats and cyber-attacks.
Mixed Fleets and Legacy Devices Drive Up Breach Costs
A total of 56% of companies report a data security breach in connection with printing. Mixed printer fleets and older printing devices posed a major security risk. While the average cost of print-related data loss in companies operating printer fleets from multiple vendors was £937,000 (~ €1.082.000), it was £630,000 (~ €727,000) in companies with standardised fleets.
Unlike modern MFPs, which are equipped with advanced security features, older ‘legacy’ print devices do not have robust embedded security features, making them more vulnerable. Integrating older devices into modern, centralised security management platforms is also often difficult or even impossible.
Fragmented Authentication Methods as a Risk
Quocirca also found that there is a wide range of authentication methods and identifies this diverse and fragmented approach as a potential security vulnerability.
Private Printing Environments Pose Additional Risks
Private printing environments are another major security vulnerability. A total of 53% of respondents stated that unauthorised persons had accessed documents in a private setting.
While large companies (27%) cite lost IT time spent dealing with the problem as the biggest disadvantage of data loss, the biggest consequence for SMEs is the disruption to business continuity (28%).
According to Quocirca, improving print security posture therefore ‘requires a multi-layered approach – prioritising standardised, secure print infrastructure, implementing robust identity and access management frameworks including mandatory authentication across all devices, and deploying solutions that prevent sensitive document printing in unsecured home environments.’
Konica Minolta Recognized for Multi-Layered Security Approach
Quocirca’s report acknowledges how Konica Minolta's 'multi-layered approach to security helps businesses of all sizes reduce risk, ensure compliance, and future-proof their print infrastructure within broader information security strategies.'
The report states, ‘Konica Minolta continues to invest across all areas of its security portfolio – recent examples include developments in authentication, secure firmware delivery, and the Konica Minolta MarketPlace for cloud-based print and scan solutions. Its commitment to ongoing investment in resources and development reinforces its long-term roadmap around secure digital transformation.’
Leveraging AI and Automation for Enhanced Threat Detection
Konica Minolta is ideally positioned in this regard with AI. ‘Machine learning and automation are embedded across Konica Minolta's bizhub i-Series MFPs, Shield Guard cloud platform and bizhub SECURE offering to accelerate detection, reduce response time, and lower risk exposure.’ ‘The latest models feature improved SIEM integration, brute-force password attack detection, and flexible anti-virus configurations – aligning with modern enterprise cybersecurity standards.’
Strong Authentication Capabilities Support Compliance
Quocirca cites Konica Minolta's multi-factor authentication support as a strength. ‘Embedded PKI support for smartcard (CAC/PIV) authentication and MFA support enables organizations to centrally manage authentication policies, enforce secure print release, and ensure compliance with data protection regulations – while providing a seamless, user-friendly experience across the print environment.’
Enabling Secure Hybrid Work Environments
Quocirca also mentions that ‘another key focus area is enabling a secure, seamless, and efficient printing experience for users working from various locations.’ An example of this is the Workplace Pure platform, which guarantees secure document workflows. In this context, Quocirca also highlights the Shield Guard platform as a strength, which offers ‘capabilities including fleet-wide visibility, automated policy remediation, and support for advanced password management workflows [that] are critical for scaling secure print environments across hybrid workplaces.’
