Get Stronger Zebra Printer Security with SCEP Certificate Management

Did you know just 16% of organizations are confident in their print infrastructure's security? 

Printers are often a blind spot in IT security. Over 43% of companies exclude them from their endpoint protection strategies. Organizations spend time securing laptops, mobile devices, and servers. 

But, network-connected printers—like Zebra Printers—can be an entry point for cyber threats if not properly managed.

Ensuring that printers authenticate securely to enterprise Wi-Fi is crucial. But managing certificates for a fleet of printers is complex, tedious, error-prone—in short, challenging.

Understanding the Challenge

Enterprise printer fleets present unique security challenges. Unlike traditional endpoints, printers often operate on separate networks. It may use different authentication protocols, and can be difficult to integrate into existing certificate management systems. 

Key challenges include:

• Manual certificate management: IT teams frequently waste valuable time manually installing certificates on printer devices
• Certificate expiration: Without automated renewal, expired certificates can cause unexpected printer downtime
• Security gaps: Printers without proper certificate-based authentication can become network security vulnerabilities
• Fleet-wide deployment: Applying consistent certificate policies across numerous printers is time-consuming without proper tools

What is Simple Certificate Enrollment Protocol (SCEP) and Why It Matters for Printers

SCEP is a protocol designed to make the issuance and management of digital certificates as streamlined as possible. For enterprise printers, SCEP provides:

• Automated certificate enrollment and renewal
• Secure authentication when connecting to enterprise Wi-Fi networks
• Integration with existing Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)
• Standardized certificate management across all network devices

When properly implemented, SCEP eliminates many of the manual processes typically associated with certificate management for printer fleets.

SureMDM SCEP Wi-Fi Certificate Management

SureMDM is enhancing its Things Management (42Gears TMT) by introducing comprehensive certificate management for Zebra printers over Wi-Fi, closing a key gap in enterprise IoT security.

Key Features

1. Wi-Fi Certificate Management: Add and deploy SCEP certificates directly to Zebra printers through the SureMDM console
2. Multiple Authentication Protocol Support: Configure EAP-TLS, EAP-TTLS, or PEAP based on your organization's security requirements
3. Automated Certificate Deployment: Push certificates to individual printers or entire printer groups with a few clicks
4. Certificate Renewal Management: Set customizable renewal periods to prevent certificate expiration issues
5. Wi-Fi Configuration Integration: Seamlessly apply certificate-based configuration for enterprise Wi-Fi networks
6. Comprehensive Reporting: Track certificate deployment status, expiration dates, and renewal information through detailed reports
7. Custom CA Server Compatibility: SureMDM’s SCEP implementation is compatible with your custom Certificate Authority (CA), allowing seamless integration with your existing PKI infrastructure. Whether you use an internal CA or a third-party CA, you can manage your Zebra printer fleet's certificate lifecycle securely and efficiently

Benefits for Enterprise IT Teams

Implementing SCEP certificate management for Zebra printers through SureMDM offers significant advantages for your IT departments:

• Reduced Administrative Overhead: Automate the certificate enrollment process instead of manually configuring each printer
• Improved Security Posture: Ensure all printers use valid certificates for network authentication, eliminating potential security gaps
• Simplified Compliance: Meet regulatory requirements for secure device authentication across your entire printer fleet
• Centralized Management: Manage all printer certificates from a single console alongside other enterprise devices
• Minimized Downtime: Prevent printer connectivity issues due to expired certificates through automated renewal
• Scalability: Easily add new printers to your certificate management workflow as your organization grows

Conclusion: Secure Your Print Infrastructure

The addition of SCEP-based Wi-Fi certificate management for Zebra Printers on the SureMDM Console significantly enhances security, automation, and efficiency for enterprise IT teams. By eliminating manual interventions, ensuring secure authentication, and providing real-time reporting, SureMDM empowers IT admins to manage printer security effortlessly.

If your organization relies on Zebra Printers, SureMDM’s SCEP Wi-Fi certificate support is a game-changer for seamless, secure, and scalable printer management.