"You only find out who is swimming naked when the tide goes out." Warren Buffett's 2008 warning to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders about the imminent woes facing financial institutions could just as well be applied to the significant impact evolving cyber threats have had on today's businesses.
Long before recent years, digitisation had prompted several innovations in technology, innovation, and mobility. However, the global evolution in how we work has accelerated these trends at a pace few could have imagined, with increases in remote work, hybrid work environments, and cloud adoption, to name a few. Unfortunately, most businesses were unprepared for a sudden shift in how we work and were left severely exposed to an unprecedented wave of cyber threats.
The modern workplace has dramatically increased our dependence on digital tools and solutions. Companies have been forced to adjust, adapt, experience and overcome unforeseen obstacles to maintain their operations, all whilst navigating an increasingly complex cybersecurity landscape.
To make matters worse, the World Economic Forum's Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2026 identifies AI-related vulnerabilities as the fastest-growing risk, with 87% of organisations ranking AI-related vulnerabilities as their most rapidly escalating cyber threat. The report highlights how accelerating AI adoption, geopolitical fragmentation and widening cyber inequity are reshaping the global risk landscape.
Furthermore, Cybersecurity Ventures predicts global spending on cybersecurity products and services will exceed $522 billion in 2026, up from $260 billion in 2021, reflecting the escalating threat environment organisations face.
As many companies now manage hybrid workforces with both remote and on-site workers, they risk exposing themselves to significant security risks if they don't take proactive steps to mitigate them.
These risks include:
With employees working from anywhere, the number of potential entry points for cyberattacks has grown exponentially. Company data is now being accessed via networks over which organisations may have little control.
Teams still need to print, scan, and share documents with one another daily, regardless of location. Without a secure document management system, organisations are putting their data at risk. Whilst cloud environments remain a popular and effective solution for hybrid workforces, business leaders must continually ensure the security of their cloud software so that all employees can work together efficiently and safely.
Remote working is now normal. Many employees have even come to expect it in some capacity, and businesses are adapting to enable this in the long term. But whether it's a shared apartment or a shared office, greater mobility also increases the risk of third parties gaining access to confidential documents and information.
Employees access information and print and share documents using many different devices and manufacturers. Maintaining control is increasingly difficult, especially where brand and device inconsistencies exist, yet it's critical to reducing the cyber risks associated with a growing number of devices in the workforce. Businesses that opt for a standardised fleet of printers and multifunction devices (MFDs) across their company will achieve greater control over the security of their data and documents.
Prior to recent security challenges, many IT managers and Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) assumed that the systems they had in place to protect their networks would extend to other peripheral devices. However, this wasn't the case: security experts warned that perimeter security is "crumbling" and that "every device connected to the network is now an endpoint security risk, printers and MFPs included".
Businesses that don't heed this warning will be left highly exposed to cyberattacks. Companies must shift from relying solely on IT departments to manage cybersecurity to developing core security competencies across their entire business. This entails creating a robust security framework underpinned by a proactive approach to minimising risks, such as an adaptive security architecture.
As the 2026 threat landscape continues to evolve, organisations require comprehensive security solutions that address both digital and physical vulnerabilities. Kyocera's Managed IT Services provide enterprise-grade cybersecurity protection tailored to the complexities of modern hybrid work environments.
Our security solutions include WatchGuard Security Firewall technology, which provides robust network protection, preventing unauthorised access and safeguarding remote connections across distributed workforces. These advanced firewall solutions provide real-time threat detection and prevention, ensuring your network perimeter remains secure against sophisticated attacks.
Kyocera's approach to cybersecurity extends beyond traditional IT infrastructure. Our document and capture solutions feature comprehensive security protocols, including data encryption, secure printing with user authentication, and controlled document workflows that prevent data leaks. These solutions integrate seamlessly with our managed IT services to create a holistic security environment.
For organisations seeking to centralise their IT infrastructure whilst maintaining the highest security standards, our Kyocera Cloud Packages offer secure, scalable solutions that enable collaboration without compromising data protection. With built-in security features and continuous monitoring, these cloud services ensure your business data remains protected across all access points.
Data breaches are always bad news for businesses. Print and document infrastructure breaches are no different from other security lapses, resulting in downtime costs, fines for corporate governance and regulatory non-compliance, and reputational damage.
It's fair to say that how we work and do business has changed permanently. Companies must become more mobile and adaptable without compromising security.
Security in 2026 requires a united effort. Workers must be equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to work more flexibly and efficiently without compromising business data security. This is the only way to build a culture of cyber resilience.
The interplay of print and document security is increasingly complex in the era of remote work. But Kyocera customers can count on our industry-leading expertise and proven ability to protect their business. Download our guide to learn more about our specialised document security solutions.
KYOCERA Document Solutions provides document management solutions that improve document cost control and security, while delivering greater productivity, reliability and uptime.