PRINTITRESELLER.UK 45 VOX POP Steve Pearce, Head of Marketing, Kyocera Group UK: 2026 will see ITDMs, CSOs and CIOs become integral to the decision-making process for awarding managed print services, whether they like it or not. MFPs can present significant cybersecurity risks if not properly secured. MFPs often store sensitive data - scanned documents, emails and user credentials on internal hard drives. If these drives are not encrypted or securely wiped before disposal, they can be a source of data breaches. MFPs can also serve as entry points for cyber attackers. Many are left with default admin credentials or outdated firmware, making them vulnerable to remote access, malware installation, and lateral movement across corporate networks. Attackers can exploit unsecured Wi-Fi or Ethernet connections to intercept print jobs, access stored documents, or hijack the device entirely. Credential harvesting is another major risk. Photocopiers often store login details for email servers, file shares and directories. If compromised, these credentials can be used to access broader systems, potentially escalating to full network control. For instance, domain administrator credentials can be extracted from the MFP using techniques like LDAP interception and pass-back attacks. Additionally, print jobs sent over unencrypted networks can be intercepted using packet sniffing or man-in-the-middle attacks. To mitigate these threats, organisations should implement strong security practices: change default passwords, enable encryption for stored and transmitted data, regularly update firmware, restrict network access, and securely dispose of devices. User authentication for print release and network segmentation can further reduce risk. Organisations are rethinking the security of their everyday hardware as they tighten digital defences. MFPs will come under increased scrutiny from print buyers and CIOs alike, as they are networked devices (endpoints) that require the same level of cybersecurity attention as computers and servers. Ignoring their vulnerabilities could lead to serious data breaches and operational disruptions. www.kyoceradocumentsolutions.co.uk Ryan Green, Digital Services Director, Carbon Group: 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year for print and IT! As SMEs finally get some breathing room post-pandemic with those last COVID-era loans paid off, thousands of businesses will have the cashflow to invest in smarter tech and scalable solutions. It’s time to move from survival mode to strategic growth. AI, cloud-first strategies, and decentralised identity are also starting to shake up the IT world. By 2026, generative AI will be a staple in productivity tools, and managed print services will be buzzing with AI-powered workflows, predictive maintenance, and secure cloud print options. Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword anymore it’s a must-have. Our clients are looking for eco-friendly practices and energy-efficient devices, and the providers who lead the way on sustainability are set to win big. Hybrid work is still going strong, fuelling demand for flexible, secure and userfriendly print environments. As security threats also evolve, it’s clear security isn’t just a feature, it’s the foundation of any future proposals. Zero trust models are quickly becoming the norm, with every user and device verified before accessing print resources, no matter where they are. With this, adopting solutions like Canon’s uniFLOW Online is no longer optional it will be the new standard. In the end, I believe 2026 will reward those who innovate boldly and deliver tailored, secure and sustainable services that truly meet clients’ ever-changing needs. www.carbon-group.co.uk cloud-connected print set-up that just works – no matter their hybrid model. For resellers, this means working with vendors that provide cloud-ready devices that slot seamlessly into firms’ existing AI-enabled networks. Customers will expect productivity-boosting services like predictive maintenance and automated supplies as standard, given how accustomed they have become to agents easing the admin load. The final priority – sustainability – is not a new one, but its place on boardrooms’ list of priorities is shifting, with too many still treating it as a ‘nice to have’. Resellers are best-placed to engage customers on how they can make the cultural transition to it being an ‘essential’ in the year ahead, and how vendors are enabling that. At Brother, for example, we believe that remanufacturing should become the default in the sector, not the exception. We’re still the only vendor remanufacturing both toner and ink cartridges and have invested significantly in pioneering the technology that will make a meaningful difference in 2026. Ultimately, what unites all of these priorities is MPS. Contractual printing delivers this control, with the trusted, connected solutions and reliable support that typify a business that’s a step ahead on its transformation journey. The firms that will be successful in staying ahead of the curve and driving these trends in 2026 will be the ones using MPS. www.brother.co.uk Steve Pearce Ryan Green
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