How to Secure Connected Office Appliances
Article summary: Connected office appliance security means applying the same basic controls you would to any device: changed default passwords, network isolation, firmware updates, and inclusion in your device inventory.
Walk through almost any office today and you’ll find more than computers connected to the network.
Smart TVs in conference rooms, security cameras, printers, VoIP phones, wireless displays, and even HVAC controls all rely on the same network that employees use every day.
Each of these internet-connected devices runs software, communicates with other systems, and can introduce security risks if it is left unmanaged. Protecting your business starts with knowing exactly what is connected to your network and making sure every device is accounted for.
The FBI Has Specifically Warned About This
This is not a theoretical concern.
The FBI has warned for years that internet-connected devices, often called the Internet of Things (IoT) can become entry points for cybercriminals if they are not properly secured. Like any computer on your network, IoT devices such as smart TVs, printers, thermostats, conference room equipment, and other connected office technology run software, communicate with other systems, and require regular maintenance to remain secure.
Once an attacker compromises a vulnerable device, the goal is rarely the device itself. Instead, it becomes a foothold for moving deeper into the network, searching for laptops, servers, shared files, and other valuable business resources.
In September 2024, the NSA, FBI, and international cybersecurity partners warned that China-linked threat actors had assembled a botnet of more than 260,000 compromised small office/home office (SOHO) routers and IoT devices. The attackers used those compromised systems to conceal their activity, launch cyberattacks, and target organizations around the world.
Why These Devices Are Hard to Secure
The biggest challenge is not that internet-connected office devices are impossible to secure. It is that they rarely receive the same attention as laptops and servers.
A smart TV mounted in a conference room, a network printer, or a security camera can quietly remain on the network for years without anyone checking whether its firmware is up to date, whether default passwords have been changed, or whether the manufacturer still provides security updates.
Many IoT devices are built for convenience and low cost rather than long-term security. Some receive infrequent firmware updates, while others stop receiving support after only a few years. If those devices remain connected after support ends, newly discovered vulnerabilities may never be patched.
The risk also grows over time. Every connected device increases your organization’s attack surface. One overlooked device may present only a small risk on its own. Dozens of unmanaged devices spread across offices create far more opportunities for an attacker to find a vulnerable entry point.
Check Point Research has reported a steady increase in attacks targeting organizations worldwide, reflecting the growing challenge of securing every connected device on a business network.
Four Controls That Actually Work
Keep appliances off the main business network
Network segmentation is the most important control. Place smart appliances on a dedicated VLAN or the guest network.
A network printer on its own segment cannot reach your accounting software even if fully exploited.
Change default credentials
Many internet-connected devices ship with default usernames and passwords that are publicly documented. If those credentials remain unchanged, they can provide an easy entry point for attackers.
Change the default credentials as soon as a device is deployed, use a strong unique password, and disable unnecessary administrative accounts whenever possible.
Keep firmware up to date
Like computers and smartphones, IoT devices receive firmware updates that fix security vulnerabilities and improve stability. Enable automatic updates if the device supports them. If it does not, include firmware reviews as part of your regular IT maintenance schedule.
When a manufacturer no longer provides security updates, evaluate whether the device should be isolated from your primary business network or replaced with a supported model.
Include appliances in your device inventory
You cannot secure devices you do not know you have.
Maintain an inventory of every internet-connected device on your network, including printers, security cameras, conference room equipment, VoIP phones, and other IoT devices. Assign ownership for each device, document its location, and review it periodically to confirm it is still supported, properly configured, and still needed.
The Culture Behind the Problem
The biggest problem is not the technology. It is the assumption that internet-connected office devices do not need the same oversight as computers and servers.
A conference room TV or security camera is often installed in minutes and then forgotten. No one verifies that the default credentials have been changed, confirms the device is receiving firmware updates, or documents it in the organization’s asset inventory.
Closing that gap requires more than a one-time security review. It means treating every connected device as part of your IT environment, with clear ownership, routine maintenance, and periodic security reviews. When every device is accounted for and managed, it becomes much harder for overlooked equipment to become an attacker’s point of entry.
Do You Know What’s Connected to Your Network?
The first step is simple: identify every device connected to your business network. In addition to computers and servers, look for printers, security cameras, conference room displays, VoIP phones, and other internet-connected equipment that may have been installed years ago and largely forgotten.
From there, verify that each device still needs network access, is running supported firmware, uses unique credentials, and is connected to the appropriate network segment.
If you’re not sure where to start, Unbound Digital can help. We can perform a comprehensive network assessment, identify unmanaged or overlooked devices, verify that they’re properly secured, and recommend improvements such as network segmentation, firmware management, and stronger access controls to reduce your organization’s risk.
Call us at 423-467-7777 or contact us online to get started.
Article FAQs
Are internet-connected office devices really used in cyberattacks?
Yes. The FBI has warned that internet-connected devices, often called Internet of Things (IoT) devices, can become entry points for cybercriminals if they are not properly secured. That includes devices such as smart TVs, printers, security cameras, thermostats, and other connected office equipment. Like any computer on your network, they should be configured, updated, and monitored.
Should we disconnect all of our IoT devices?
Not necessarily. Most organizations rely on connected devices to support daily operations. The goal is to manage the risk by keeping devices up to date, changing default credentials, and placing them on the appropriate network segment so they cannot access sensitive business systems unless necessary.
How often should IoT devices receive firmware updates?
Enable automatic updates whenever they’re available. For devices that require manual updates, include firmware reviews as part of your regular IT maintenance schedule. If a device is no longer supported by the manufacturer, consider replacing it or isolating it from critical business systems.
What is the most important first step to securing IoT devices?
Start by identifying every internet-connected device on your network. Many businesses know exactly how many computers they have but overlook printers, security cameras, conference room equipment, and other connected devices. You cannot secure equipment you don’t know exists.