In a major leap for printer security, HP has launched what it claims are the world’s first business printers designed to withstand quantum computer attacks. The announcement came during the 2025 HP Amplify Printer Conference, signaling a shift in how the industry approaches long-term cybersecurity for connected devices.
At the heart of HP’s latest printers is the Leighton-Micali Signature (LMS)—a cutting-edge, hash-based digital signature algorithm. Approved by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in 2020, LMS is tailored for post-quantum cryptography (PQC), designed to protect devices against the decryption power of future quantum computers.
NIST outlined LMS’s primary role as safeguarding firmware updates on constrained devices, many of which—like printers—remain operational for decades. Since updating embedded security protocols after deployment is often impractical, building quantum-resilient security directly into the hardware offers long-term protection.
While printers may seem harmless sitting in office corners, they represent a growing target for cybercriminals. As Steve Inch, HP’s Print Security Strategist, explains, “Printers often rank low on security teams’ priority lists. They sit quietly in the background, rarely noticed until something goes wrong.”
However, attackers see printers differently. As internet-connected devices with unique IP addresses, printers offer a backdoor into corporate networks. According to WithSecure’s 2024 research, many edge devices—like printers—remain exposed, unmonitored, and provide attackers with easy access to sensitive credentials and internal systems.
Unlike computers, printers lack traditional defensive software like anti-malware, leaving the burden of protection on manufacturers. That’s why HP’s new range comes armored with security features embedded deep within the hardware.
HP’s solution starts from the inside out. The printers feature custom-designed ASIC chips engineered to perform quantum-resistant digital signature verification. This ensures that every firmware update is authenticated, protecting the system’s integrity from advanced quantum-level attacks.
“When the BIOS boots up, our devices verify that the system is secure and uncrackable at its core,” Inch explains. By doing so, HP provides peace of mind that these printers are prepared for the coming wave of quantum computing.
Given that many printers remain operational for 10 years or more, and with quantum decryption power potentially arriving within that timeframe, HP’s forward-thinking approach offers a future-proof security solution.
HP’s move is about more than just private sector security—it’s also a strategic play for government contracts. By integrating quantum-resistant cryptography now, HP positions itself strongly for future federal sales.
NIST has already set 2035 as the deadline for all U.S. federal agencies to fully transition to quantum-resistant algorithms. However, the urgency increased in December 2024 when the NSA mandated that any new national security system acquisitions must comply with CNSA 2.0 standards by January 1, 2027. This leaves manufacturers with less than two years to align their hardware with these tough new requirements.
With these printers, HP ensures its continued eligibility for sensitive government projects, while simultaneously giving commercial users a head start on their own quantum migration journey.
In addition to quantum resilience, HP’s new printers come equipped with a Zero Trust Architecture, designed for easy integration with any existing security framework. As Inch points out, the system is “almost plug-and-play” no matter which version of Zero Trust the customer uses.
By embedding Zero Trust principles directly into the printers, HP reinforces its philosophy: security should be the manufacturer’s responsibility, not the user’s.
HP’s groundbreaking printers aren’t just another office upgrade—they’re a proactive step toward safeguarding businesses against the next generation of cyber threats. By merging quantum-resistant cryptography with Zero Trust principles, HP offers enterprises and government agencies a robust, future-ready printing solution.
As quantum computing inches closer to reality, HP’s innovation ensures that one of the most overlooked devices in the office is no longer the weakest link.
