HP Introduces Hybrid Work Print Solutions with HP Wolf Security

Rhea-AI Summary

HP Inc. has announced enhanced print services aimed at increasing workforce productivity and protecting corporate data. The new Flexworker offering integrates with HP Wolf Security for secure printing at home or in the office. This scalable service includes HP Secure Print and Internet Printing functionalities, addressing security concerns around compromised printers as noted by 45% of IT decision-makers. The new offerings are expected to roll out between June and August 2021, enhancing secure printing capabilities and enterprise management tools for hybrid workforces.

Positive

• Introduction of the Flexworker offering enhances productivity and security for hybrid work environments.
• HP Secure Print compatible with Microsoft Universal Print adds an extra layer of document security.
• The service provides a comprehensive managed print experience, including technical support and centralized billing.
• Addresses significant security risks, as 45% of IT decision-makers report compromised printers in the past year.

Negative

• Potential concerns with implementation and adoption of new security protocols may slow integration.
• The introduction of advanced services could lead to increased operational costs for some enterprises.

Enables enterprises to allow workers to easily and securely print whether they’re in the office or at home

PALO ALTO, Calif., May 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today HP Inc. announced enhanced print services and solutions with HP Wolf Security that allow IT departments to help boost workforce productivity while also helping to protect corporate networks and data¹. As part of these enhancements, HP introduced a new Flexworker offering, Internet Printing through HP Advance² and HP Secure Print³ compatibility for Universal Print from Microsoft.

“The existing business transformation trends around cloud, as-a-service, and security have seen significant acceleration over the past year,” said George Brasher, General Manager and Global Head, Print Services and Solutions, HP Inc. “In this hybrid world, where workers are distributed and the risk of cyberattacks has skyrocketed, we see businesses needing scalable and flexible printing solutions that are both secure and manageable.”

New Flexworker Offering; Part of HP Wolf Enterprise Security Services

HP’s new Flexworker offering, which is part of HP Wolf Enterprise Security Services, is a scalable cloud-based print service for hybrid workforces. This new extended Managed Print Service (MPS) allows IT departments to arm hybrid workers with secure, company-approved printers to enhance productivity at home. By leveraging the HP Instant Ink and MPS ecosystems, HP is delivering a fully automated enterprise managed print experience that includes financing, technical support, reporting, centralized billing and device security features and monitoring. 

According to HP Wolf Security Blurred Lines & Blindspots report ⁴, 45% of IT decision makers say they have seen evidence in their company of compromised printers being used as an attack point in the past year. The same report contains data from KuppingerCole, showing 86% of industry executives said their customers had concerns around the security of their home printers.

Flexworker gives enterprises visibility of up to 15 essential security settings⁵ on devices and leverages Security Manager to continuously monitor and automatically remediate if a device falls out of compliance with corporate policies. 

As companies extend corporate offices into the home environment, HP is also expanding Flexworker to include select LaserJet Enterprise 400 series models – the HP LaserJet Managed MFP E42540f and HP LaserJet Managed E40040dn. The LaserJet Enterprise 400 is HP’s smallest enterprise-class printer series providing seamless remote management and the world’s most secure⁶ printing experience. The LaserJet Enterprise 400 series offers HP Wolf Security, which includes HP Trusted Platform module, HP Sure Start, Run-time intrusion detection⁷, HP Connection Inspector, and easy, policy-based fleet deployment with HP Security Manager. 

Secure Printing at Home or In the Office

HP is introducing secure Internet Printing through HP Advance, an integrated platform for capture, print and output management. Internet Printing will enable organizations to offer employees the ability to seamlessly and securely print from either the office or at home. HP’s new Internet Printing offering features the latest encryption and authentication technologies, including OAuth 2.0 with OpenID connect for Azure AD. The solution also provides job accounting, ensuring companies can track activity both inside and outside the organization.

HP also announced HP Secure Print compatibility with Universal Print from Microsoft, which adds a layer of security by requiring authentication before the document is printed. It will also provide analytics about all print activity.

Availability

• HP Advance Internet Printing is expected to be available in June 2021.
• The HP LaserJet Managed MFP E42540f and HP LaserJet Managed E40040dn are expected to be available as part of Flexworker by July 2021.
• HP Secure Print compatibility with Universal Print is expected to be available in July 2021.
• The visibility into up to 15 security settings are expected to be available as part of Flexworker by August 2021.

About HP Inc.
HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) creates technology that makes life better for everyone, everywhere. Through our product and service portfolio of personal systems, printers and 3D printing solutions, we engineer experiences that amaze. More information about HP Inc. is available at www.hp.com.

About HP Wolf Security
From the maker of the world’s most secure PCs⁸ and Printers⁶, HP Wolf Security is a new breed of endpoint security. HP’s portfolio of hardware-enforced security and endpoint-focused security services are designed to help organizations safeguard PCs, printers and people from circling cyber predators. HP Wolf Security provides comprehensive endpoint protection and resiliency that starts at the hardware level and extends across software and services.

©Copyright 2021 HP Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.

¹ HP Security is now HP Wolf Security. Security features vary by platform.
² HP Advance works with most network-connected printers and MFPs. On-device authentication requires HP FutureSmart firmware 4.8 or newer. Supported card readers include X3D03A (HP USB Universal Card Reader) and Y7C05A (HP HIP2 Keystroke Reader). Internet connection required for some functionality. For more information, see hp.com/go/advance.
³ HP Secure Print works with most network-connected printers and MFPs. On-device authentication requires HP FutureSmart firmware 4.8 or newer. Supported card readers include X3D03A (HP USB Universal Card Reader) and Y7C05A (HP HIP2 Keystroke Reader). Internet connection required for some functionality. For more information, see hp.com/go/secureprint
⁴ HP Wolf Security Blurred Lines & Blindspots report, online survey of 8,443 adults in the US, the UK, Mexico, Germany, Australia, Canada and Japan, March 2021.
⁵ Dependent on device security settings/embedded security features. For visibility into all 15 essential security settings, automatic firmware update needs to be enabled and new releases of firmware uploaded when the firmware is release and the device is online. 
⁶ HP’s most advanced embedded security features are available on HP Enterprise and HP Managed devices with HP FutureSmart firmware 4.5 or above. Claim based on HP review of 2021 published features of competitive in-class printers. Only HP offers a combination of security features to automatically detect, stop, and recover from attacks with a self-healing reboot, in alignment with NIST SP 800-193 guidelines for device cyber resiliency. For a list of compatible products, visit: hp.com/go/PrintersThatProtect. For more information, visit: hp.com/go/PrinterSecurityClaims.
⁷ Third-party certification based on Common Criteria Information Technology Security Evaluation ISO/IEC 15408 Standard requirements as of May 2019-2024. Certification applicable to HP Enterprise and Managed devices running HP FutureSmart Firmware version 4.5.1 and later. For more information: https://www.commoncriteriaportal.org/files/epfiles/Certification%20Report%20-%20HP%20Intrusion%20Detection.pdf.
⁸ Based on HP’s unique and comprehensive security capabilities at no additional cost among vendors on HP Elite PCs with Windows and 8th Gen and higher Intel® processors or AMD Ryzen™ 4000 processors and higher; HP ProDesk 600 G6 with Intel® 10th Gen and higher processors; and HP ProBook 600 with AMD Ryzen™ 4000 or Intel® 11th Gen processors and higher.

A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c8d10a05-e4c1-43bd-bd62-8dc2bc9288e4

FAQ

What is HP's new Flexworker offering?

HP's Flexworker offering is a cloud-based print service designed for hybrid workforces, enhancing productivity and security.

When will HP Secure Print compatibility with Universal Print be available?

HP Secure Print compatibility with Universal Print is expected to be available in July 2021.

What security features are included in HP's new printing solutions?

The new solutions offer features like encryption, authentication, and visibility into essential security settings.

How does HP's Flexworker offering improve printing security?

It enhances printing security by monitoring compliance with corporate policies and requires authentication before printing.

What are the expected availability dates for HP's new printing services?

HP Advance Internet Printing is expected in June 2021, followed by Flexworker services in July and August 2021.