HP’s Quantum Leap: New Printers Designed to Protect Against Future Quantum Computing Threats (Already but Not Yet)
Future-Ready Security: HP’s Answer to the Quantum Challenge
HP’s Quantum Leap: New Printers Designed to Protect Against Future Quantum Computing Threats (Already but Not Yet)
HP has announced what it calls “the world’s first printers to protect against quantum computer attacks.” The new HP 8000 Series, including the HP Color LaserJet Enterprise MFP 8801, Mono MFP 8601, and LaserJet Pro Mono SFP 8501 printers, represents a forward-thinking approach to a looming security challenge that many organizations may not yet have on their radar.
The Quantum Computing Threat
Quantum computing, while promising revolutionary benefits in areas like drug discovery and machine learning, also poses a serious threat to current encryption methods. Unlike traditional computers that process bits as either 0 or 1, quantum computers use quantum bits or “qubits” that can represent multiple states simultaneously, potentially breaking encryption systems that secure our digital world.
According to HP, experts estimate up to a 34% chance that quantum computers will break asymmetric cryptography by 2034. This isn’t just a theoretical concern – it’s a practical security issue that organizations need to address now, especially for devices with long lifecycles like printers.
How HP’s Quantum-Resistant Printers Work
The new HP 8000 Series incorporates several innovative security features:
- Quantum-Resistant ASIC Chips: The printers include application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chips designed with quantum-resistant cryptography. These chips enable digital signature verification to protect firmware integrity against potential quantum attacks.
- Enhanced Hardware-Level Security: The ASIC chips protect early-stage BIOS and BIOS boot firmware, reducing the risk of malicious firmware updates that could give attackers control of the device.
- Zero Trust Integration: The printers are designed to integrate seamlessly into existing Zero Trust Network Architectures, helping organizations take a unified approach to security across their print fleet.
The printers utilize the Leighton-Micali Signature (LMS), a stateful hash-based signature scheme approved by NIST for post-quantum use in 2020.
Why This Matters Now
Printers are often overlooked in security planning, yet they’re internet-facing devices with IP addresses that can provide attackers access to networks. As Steve Inch, print security strategist at HP, noted, “Printers are traditionally the low man on the totem pole when it comes to priorities for security teams.”
The U.S. government has announced that starting in 2027, it will only procure devices for National Security Systems if their firmware and software are secured with quantum-resistant cryptographic code signing. Since most printer contracts run for 3-5 years, organizations making purchasing decisions now should consider these requirements.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Future-Proofing: Organizations can prepare now for quantum threats expected within the next decade.
- Simplified Compliance: The printers help meet emerging government requirements for quantum-resistant cryptography.
- Enhanced Security Posture: The quantum-resistant features build upon HP’s existing security measures, creating a more robust overall security framework.
- Speeds up to 70ppm: The LaserJet Pro Mono SFP 8501 can output up to 70 pages per minute.
Cons:
- Pricing Unknown: As of the announcement, HP hasn’t disclosed pricing, which may be a factor for organizations with limited IT budgets.
- Potential Legacy Integration Challenges: Organizations will need to balance upgrading to quantum-resistant devices with supporting existing print infrastructure.
- Emerging Standards: Post-quantum cryptography regulations and standards are still evolving, potentially requiring future updates.
Staying Ahead of Quantum Threats (and Hype) with CinchOps
At CinchOps, we acknowledge that quantum computing is still an evolving field filled with many unknowns. While devices like HP’s quantum-resistant printers represent important steps forward, the full impact of quantum computing on cybersecurity remains to be determined.
CinchOps monitors the rapidly changing quantum computing ecosystem, including:
- Tracking Research Breakthroughs: We follow developments from leading research institutions and technology companies that are pushing the boundaries of quantum computing capabilities.
- Evaluating Emerging Standards: We keep a close eye on evolving post-quantum cryptography standards being developed by organizations like NIST to understand how they might affect our clients.
- Assessing Realistic Timelines: We help clients distinguish between quantum computing hype and realistic adoption timelines for both threats and opportunities.
Discover more about our enterprise-grade and business protecting cybersecurity services on our Cybersecurity page.
By staying informed about the latest quantum computing developments, CinchOps helps clients prepare for potential risks while avoiding premature or unnecessary technology investments. We believe that understanding both the possibilities and limitations of quantum technology is essential for making sound strategic decisions in an uncertain future.
FREE SECURITY ASSESSMENT
