This Week in Imaging: How Canon and Ricoh Use AI to Help Secure Printers and Copier/MFPs

by Kathleen Wirth · May 22, 2026

In this continuing series, we look at how two office-imaging companies, Canon and Ricoh, use AI to enhance security for their office printers and copier/MFPs.

Canon and Ricoh use AI and Machine Learning (ML) to protect printers and MFPs from endpoint to cloud. Both manufacturers use AI for real-time threat detection, secure user authentication, automated document classification, and environment analysis to keep devices and data secure.

The companies use various other security measures, such as secure start-up and whitelisting, but following is a look at how they’re using AI and machine learning to enhance security:

Canon

Canon has integrated AI into its next-generation hardware, such as its imageFORCE MFP platform with to enhance security with:

Security Environment Estimation: Canon’s firmware uses machine learning algorithms to analyze the network environment the device is connected to. AI then automatically recommends and applies optimal security configurations.
Behavioral Analysis and Threat Detection: AI acts as a proactive monitor, tracking network traffic and device behavior in real time. It instantly flags and notifies administrators of unusual network activity or unauthorized firmware alterations.

Ricoh

Ricoh employs a secure-by-design methodology across its devices, leveraging AI to secure workflows and detect threats:

Advanced Behavioral Monitoring: Ricoh deploys AI algorithms to monitor daily printing habits and usage patterns. It can recognize anomalies, such as an unusual volume of confidential documents being printed at odd hours.
Document and File Classification: To prevent data leaks and enforce compliance, Ricoh uses AI to automatically analyze and classify unstructured data and documents. The AI-based classification system ensures that sensitive files are securely encrypted and properly routed or archived based on organizational policies.
Intelligent Access and Print Release: By pairing AI with biometric recognition and secure mobile release (such as Ricoh Smart Device Connector), documents are held in the cloud or on the device until authorized users authenticate themselves at the device.

In summary, while AI has certainly been a controversial topic lately, one area where it’s having great benefits is keeping office equipment such as printers and MFPs, and the data they process, measurably more secure.

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