Article summary: Smart thermostats, networked printers, and other connected office devices are often treated like appliances, but they’re networked computers with real security exposure. Securing them means basic endpoint hygiene: change default credentials, keep firmware updated, and keep them separated from core business systems. A few consistent controls reduce risk and prevent overlooked devices from becoming an entry point into your network.
Your office thermostat adjusts when the first person arrives. The networked printer accepts jobs from anywhere on the building’s Wi-Fi. The conference room TV sits on the same network as your accounting system.
These devices blend into the background. In reality, they’re computers—and most were never properly configured for the networks they’re on. Smart office device security is one of the least reviewed areas in small-business IT, even though the risks are specific and relatively straightforward to address.
According to Palo Alto Networks’ 2025 Device Security Threat Report, 32.5% of devices on corporate networks operate outside IT control. That includes Internet of Things (IoT) devices like thermostats and printers, which are often not effectively monitored by traditional endpoint security tools.
As Palo Alto Networks notes, these devices connect to your network the same way any computer does. The difference is that nobody is actively managing them.
Modern networked printers contain internal hard drives. Documents that pass through the device can be stored in its memory, sometimes indefinitely. Most also expose a web interface accessible from inside your network, typically protected only by a default password that has never been changed.
JumpCloud’s breakdown of IoT security data, citing research from IBM X-Force, highlights that a large share of IoT devices contain known vulnerabilities, including high-severity issues that can be exploited in real-world attacks.
For printers, that means an attacker who reaches your network can pull stored documents, intercept print jobs in progress, or use the printer as a foothold to reach other systems.
A smart thermostat runs embedded software on your Wi-Fi network. That connection puts it on the same infrastructure as your computers and servers.
Most of these devices receive firmware updates infrequently, and many owners never install updates at all. A device running two-year-old software is not neutral. It carries unpatched vulnerabilities while operating continuously in the background.
Thinking about your network from the physical layer up means accounting for every device that touches your infrastructure, not just the computers at people’s desks.
IoT devices ship with factory-set usernames and passwords. These defaults are often published publicly by the manufacturer.
Any device still running them is an unlocked door. Change the password on every device before connecting it to your network. Store those credentials in a business password manager so they can be retrieved when needed.
A VLAN (virtual local area network) for IoT devices keeps your thermostat, printer, and other smart fixtures from communicating directly with your servers and computers.
If any device on that segment is ever compromised, the rest of your network stays contained. This single step makes a bigger difference than any other on this list.
Applying zero-trust security principles to your network means treating every device as untrusted until it has been verified and placed appropriately. IoT devices are no exception.
Firmware is the built-in software that runs each device. Manufacturers release firmware updates to patch security problems, the same way software vendors do for applications.
Most IoT devices do not update automatically. Set a recurring reminder to check manufacturer websites for your thermostats, printers, and cameras at least twice a year. Install available updates when you find them.
A basic network scan shows every device currently connected to your infrastructure.
Many IT management tools run these automatically and produce a simple report.
If a device appears that nobody recognizes, that warrants investigation. An unfamiliar device on your network is a gap, not a coincidence.
Smart office device security does not require replacing hardware. Changed default passwords, firmware updates, and proper network segmentation can all be applied to existing equipment.
The challenge is applying these steps consistently and identifying devices that were connected years ago but never properly configured.
To get help auditing your connected devices or setting up a secure network configuration for your office, get started with Vudu Consulting at www.vuduconsulting.com/get-started or email contact@vuduconsulting.com.
Networked printers contain internal storage that may retain copies of printed documents. They also run web interfaces that can be accessed from inside your network, and they often carry unpatched software vulnerabilities. An attacker who reaches your network can use a printer to access stored documents or move toward other connected systems.
Network segmentation means placing IoT (Internet of Things) devices on a separate portion of your network so they cannot communicate directly with your servers and computers. A VLAN is the common way to do this. If an IoT device is compromised, segmentation limits how far the problem can spread.
A network scan lists every device currently connected to your infrastructure. Many IT management and monitoring tools include this capability. The result is a simple inventory that shows device types, IP addresses, and when they last communicated. Running this periodically is the starting point for any device security review.
Yes, in practical terms. A smart thermostat connects to your Wi-Fi network and runs software that may have unpatched vulnerabilities. If an attacker compromises the device, they gain a foothold on your network that can be used to probe other systems. The device itself is not the target. Your broader network is.
Check for firmware updates at least twice a year for each device category in your office. Some manufacturers release updates more frequently in response to discovered vulnerabilities. Signing up for security notifications from device manufacturers is the fastest way to know when a critical update is available.
