Federal agencies have made meaningful progress in strengthening cybersecurity over the past several years. Investments in Zero Trust frameworks, cloud platforms, and identity management, particularly through tools like Microsoft Entra ID and Microsoft 365 Government Cloud, have reshaped how users securely access systems and data.
Even as these advancements take hold, print and scan infrastructure remain largely unaddressed. This gap is easy to overlook, yet it represents a real and persistent risk. In many environments, the same rigorous identity and access controls applied to applications and endpoints are not applied to multifunction printers (MFPs). The result is a fragmented security posture where one part of the environment reflects Zero Trust principles, and another does not.
Printers are no longer just output devices. They are intelligent, connected endpoints that process sensitive information every day. When these devices are not secured with the same rigor as other endpoints, they introduce avoidable risk.
In unsecured environments, documents may be printed and left unattended, exposing sensitive data to unintended viewers. Files can be misdirected or accessed by unauthorized individuals, and without strong identity ties, there is often limited visibility into who accessed what information and when.
A Modernization Gap That Needs Closing
Federal IT leaders have prioritized modernization initiatives, particularly those focused on cloud adoption and identity-first security. Yet print infrastructure has not evolved at the same pace. The continued reliance on legacy systems, such as on-premises print servers and middleware, creates both operational inefficiencies and expanded attack surfaces.
Konica Minolta PKI Cloud Suite – Supporting Compliance and Trust
As agencies advance their Zero Trust strategies, it is becoming clear that no endpoint can be left behind. Printers and document workflows are not secondary concerns. They are vital to daily operations and frequent touchpoints for sensitive information.
Addressing this gap requires rethinking how MFPs fit into the overall security model. Solutions like our award-winning PKI Cloud Suite, an industry-first, represent this new direction, enabling organizations to bring identity validation, cloud integration, and Zero Trust alignment directly to the MFP.
Ultimately, the goal is not just to modernize printing and scanning, but to ensure that these functions operate as a secure, fully integrated part of the environment.
Because in a Zero Trust world, security is only as strong as its weakest link and print can no longer afford to be that link.
What is the PKI Cloud Suite and how does it support federal security requirements? The PKI Cloud Suite is a cloud-based public key infrastructure solution designed to meet the stringent identity and certificate management requirements of federal agencies. It supports certificate lifecycle automation, identity-based access controls, and integrates with existing federal IT environments — including Active Directory and Microsoft Entra ID — without disrupting current operations.
Is the PKI Cloud Suite compatible with Microsoft 365 GCC and GCC High environments? Yes. The PKI Cloud Suite is built to operate within Microsoft 365 GCC and GCC High tenants, ensuring your agency’s certificate management stays inside the compliance boundary required for Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and FedRAMP-aligned deployments. Integration with Microsoft Entra ID enables seamless identity federation across your environment.
How does the PKI Cloud Suite support Zero Trust architecture? Zero Trust requires that every user and device be verified before accessing resources — and PKI is foundational to that model. The PKI Cloud Suite enforces identity-based access through certificate-backed authentication, reducing reliance on password credentials and supporting continuous verification across federal networks and cloud workloads.
What compliance frameworks does the PKI Cloud Suite align with? The solution aligns with NIST SP 800-63, FISMA, and FedRAMP security requirements. It supports agencies working toward Zero Trust maturity as outlined in OMB M-22-09, and provides the certificate infrastructure needed to meet PIV/CAC and multi-factor authentication mandates across federal systems.
Does the PKI Cloud Suite provide audit logs for compliance reporting? Yes. The PKI Cloud Suite maintains detailed audit logs of certificate issuance, revocation, and access events. These logs are exportable and structured to support FISMA reporting, security audits, and internal compliance reviews — giving your security and compliance teams the visibility they need.
How long does deployment typically take for a federal agency? Deployment timelines vary based on agency size and existing infrastructure, but most implementations follow a phased approach that minimizes operational disruption. Our team works within your agency’s change management and ATO processes to ensure a structured, documented rollout aligned to your project timeline.
How does Konica Minolta support secure printing for federal agencies? Konica Minolta’s secure print solutions require users to authenticate at the MFP device — using CAC/PIV cards, PINs, or identity-based credentials — before a document is released. This prevents sensitive documents from sitting unattended in output trays and ensures every print action is tied to a verified federal user identity.
Are Konica Minolta’s print solutions compliant with federal security standards? Yes. Konica Minolta multifunction devices and print management platforms are designed to meet federal compliance requirements, including NIST 800-171, FISMA controls, and Department of Defense security guidelines. Hard drive encryption, data overwrite capabilities, and role-based access controls are standard across our federal-grade device portfolio.
Can federal agencies integrate Konica Minolta solutions with Microsoft 365 Government Cloud? Yes. Konica Minolta’s cloud print and document workflow solutions integrate with Microsoft 365 Government Cloud — including GCC and GCC High environments — enabling federal agencies to manage print, capture, and document routing within a compliant cloud boundary. Microsoft Entra ID integration ensures access is governed by your agency’s existing identity policies.
How does Konica Minolta’s approach align with Zero Trust for document security? Zero Trust principles apply to document workflows just as they do to network access. Konica Minolta enforces least-privilege access at the device level — users only access the functions their role permits, every session is authenticated, and all activity is logged. This supports the continuous verification model federal agencies are required to implement under current OMB Zero Trust guidance.
What procurement vehicles are available for federal agencies purchasing Konica Minolta solutions? Konica Minolta solutions are available through established federal procurement channels, including GSA Schedule contracts, supporting the compliance, documentation, and approval requirements typical of federal acquisition processes. Contact your Konica Minolta federal account representative for current contract vehicle details and agency-specific pricing options.
James Hanover is a Federal Government Program Manager at Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc., with more than 24 years of experience in solutions engineering and managed print services. Over the course of his career, he has held roles including Network Administrator, Specialist, Regional Solutions Engineer, and Consultant, building deep expertise in complex document environments. James holds multiple professional certifications in database management, project management, document management, and document solutions. He has successfully led enterprise implementations of managed print and document management systems for national and global corporations, the Department of Defense, and numerous state and federal civilian agencies, delivering scalable, secure solutions that drive operational efficiency.
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Even as these advancements take hold, print and scan infrastructure remain largely unaddressed. This gap is easy to overlook, yet it represents a real and persistent risk. In many environments, the same rigorous identity and access controls applied to applications and endpoints are not applied to multifunction printers (MFPs). The result is a fragmented security posture where one part of the environment reflects Zero Trust principles, and another does not.
