Keep yourself protected with Quantum protection.
Your Next Printer Purchase Should Be Quantum-Ready. Here's Why.
Most businesses aren't thinking about quantum computing when they're shopping for a new printer. That's understandable. But if your next device is going to sit on your network for five or more years, it's worth understanding what HP has done to protect those devices from a threat that is closer than most people realize.
ABS now offers options from HP's new 8000 Series, which HP has described as the world's first printers designed to protect against quantum computer attacks. Here is what that means, why it matters, and whether it should factor into your next print purchasing decision.
What Is the Quantum Threat?
Modern printers, like most networked devices, rely on a type of security called asymmetric cryptography. This is the underlying math that protects firmware integrity, verifies that software updates are legitimate, and keeps devices from being hijacked by malicious actors.
The concern is that quantum computers, once powerful enough, could break that cryptographic foundation. We are not there yet. But the security community has grown more confident that it is coming. The Global Risk Institute’s 2024 report found that experts now estimate an average 27% likelihood of quantum computers being capable of breaking today’s cryptography by 2034, with some experts placing the odds at 50% or higher. The German information security authority has assessed a similar timeline, noting that new developments could accelerate a breakthrough to within a decade.
If that happens without preparation, devices that have not been upgraded could be fully exposed. A quantum attacker who can forge a firmware signature could install malicious code at the deepest level of a printer, gaining persistent, stealthy control of the device and everything that passes through it.
What HP Has Built Into the 8000 Series
HP’s response is baked into the hardware itself, not patched on top of it. The HP Color LaserJet Enterprise MFP 8801, Mono MFP 8601, and LaserJet Pro Mono SFP 8501 are built with new ASIC chips that include quantum-resistant cryptography. These chips use digital signature verification to protect firmware integrity against quantum attacks, and they also protect early-stage BIOS and BIOS boot firmware at the hardware level.
The result is a device that, even if quantum computers become capable of breaking today’s cryptographic standards, will have a foundation built to withstand that kind of attack on its firmware.
These devices are also designed to integrate with Zero Trust Network Architectures, supporting a fleet-wide security approach rather than treating printer security as an afterthought.
Timing Is Everything
Managed print service agreements and device leases typically run three to five years. The U.S. federal government has already established a timeline requiring that all new acquisitions for National Security Systems be quantum-resistant starting in 2027. NIST is moving toward deprecating classical asymmetric cryptography after 2030.
That means the device you put in place today may still be in service when those deadlines arrive. Choosing hardware that already has quantum-resistant protections built in removes a significant risk before it becomes a problem.
For most businesses, this is not a reason to panic. It is a reason to be informed when making a purchasing decision, and to work with a technology partner who can help you understand your options.
Who Should Pay Attention Now
Some industries have more at stake than others when it comes to device-level security:
Healthcare — Patient records and protected health information pass through networked printers daily. A compromised device is a compliance risk and a liability.
Legal — Confidential client communications and case documents demand a security posture that holds up under scrutiny. Hardware integrity is part of that picture.
Financial Services — Regulated data, audit trails, and sensitive client records make firmware-level protection a legitimate line-item consideration.
Government and Public Sector — The U.S. federal government has already set a 2027 deadline requiring quantum-resistant devices for National Security Systems. If your agency is planning a refresh, that timeline is now.
Education — Student records, financial aid data, and institutional information sit on the same network as your print fleet. Security at the device level matters here too.
How ABS Can Help
ABS has carried HP in our portfolio for years, and we are now able to offer options from the HP 8000 Series to clients across Southern New England. Whether you are managing a single-location office or a distributed environment with dozens of devices, we can help you assess where your current fleet stands, what your security posture looks like, and what a refresh might mean for your business over the next several years.
We are not here to sell you a device for the sake of it. But if you are already approaching the end of a lease or planning a hardware refresh, this is a conversation worth having now.
