In today's digital age, protecting systems and data is paramount. Organizations commonly harden their network perimeters, secure email communications, and deploy sophisticated endpoint protection. However, a massive strategic blind spot still exists: print infrastructure. Traditionally treated as a mere IT utility, print management has quietly evolved into a primary attack vector for lateral movement and data exfiltration. This transformation has given rise to the print security paradox, where convenience-first solutions often compromise security.
Recent disclosures have shattered the myth that serverless or cloud-hosted print management is inherently safer. The discovery of 83 critical vulnerabilities in a leading print management provider highlights the systemic failure of convenience-first print solutions. These vulnerabilities include unauthenticated remote takeover, hardcoded backdoors, cross-tenant data breaches, and hardcoded secrets within application code. For regulated sectors like healthcare, finance, and government, these flaws are not just bugs—they are structural risks that can lead to cross-tenant data breaches and unauthenticated remote code execution (RCE).
To mitigate these risks, organizations must prioritize data sovereignty. Print data and spool files should remain within the organization's secure network or on-premises whenever possible. This approach eliminates the cross-tenant risks inherent in multi-tenant SaaS models. By ensuring that sensitive document metadata and sometimes the data itself does not leave the secure corporate perimeter, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access.
A crucial aspect of securing print infrastructure is implementing identity-centric access controls. No user or device should be trusted by default. Every print job must be authenticated, utilizing mechanisms such as Hold and Release or PIN printing to ensure that physical output only occurs in the presence of an authorized user. Comprehensive audit trails must capture every print event—who, what, when, and where—to satisfy regulatory mandates like HIPAA, SOX, and GDPR.
Tricerat’s ScrewDrivers platform is built on the philosophy that security is a product of intentional architecture. Unlike convenience-first tools, ScrewDrivers utilizes a fortified Hybrid Print Architecture (HPA) to protect organizations from vulnerabilities. Tricerat deploys Fortified Print Servers—hardened, high-availability environments designed for mission-critical workloads. By keeping print data within your secure perimeter, Tricerat eliminates the risk of cross-tenant leaks inherent in SaaS-only models.
Moreover, Tricerat’s patented universal driver virtualizes the print process, eliminating the need for unmanaged third-party drivers on every endpoint and significantly reducing the attack surface. Tricerat also uses a proprietary TMF format that interprets data rather than executing code, effectively neutralizing many common network attack vectors used for Remote Code Execution (RCE). ScrewDrivers integrates directly with existing Active Directory systems to enforce the principle of least privilege, ensuring that users only see the printers they are authorized to use, and every job requires explicit verification through secure hold-and-release mechanisms.
The discovery of 83 vulnerabilities in a serverless print management product is a wake-up call for enterprises. Print infrastructure can no longer be ignored as a minor utility. Instead, it must be architected for resilience, compliance, and security. By transitioning to a Hybrid Print Architecture (HPA), organizations can reclaim their data sovereignty, eliminate backdoors, and ensure that their most sensitive documents and data remain exactly where they belong: under their own control.
Tricerat’s approach to print management exemplifies the importance of intentional architecture in securing print infrastructure. By leveraging a fortified HPA, organizations can mitigate the vulnerabilities associated with convenience-first print solutions and enhance their overall security posture. Transitioning to a fortified HPA is not just a strategic move; it is a necessity in today's threat landscape.