Preparing for Microsoft's SMTP Authentication Update: Will Your Printer be Affected?
In December 2026, due to an update to Microsoft’s email authentication system, some older printers will lose the ability to scan to email. If your device is one of these models, you may need to update to a new device which can support the new system.
What is happening?
Microsoft are getting ready to shut down their Basic Auth email authentication system at the end of the year. Having originally planned to make the change in April, Microsoft have decided to delay it until December in order to give users more time to plan, validate, and deploy modern authentication alternatives.
Basic auth is a legacy authentication method that sends usernames and passwords in plain text over the network. This makes it vulnerable to credential theft, phishing, and brute force cyberattacks. It is to be replaced by OAuth, a much more secure system. This is part of a years-long process which will in the long term improve cyber security for Microsoft clients, but will require some people to update their outdated tech.
Why does this affect my scanning?
For the majority of people, this will have no effect at all. Their email systems either will be or have already been updated to the new authentication system, which has been available since 2020 and will be able to carry on as normal. However, certain older print devices that offer scan to email functionality are unable to support the update, and will become unable to scan to email from the end of December 2026. These devices include Samsung, Olivetti, and certain Xerox multi-functional devices.
If your device is affected by this change, you will need to upgrade to a printer capable of supporting OAuth in order to regain your ability to scan to email.
How CBS can help:
At CBS, we were aware of this change and put measures in place last year to ensure that all our new devices can support OAuth. If you need to replace an older device in order to retain your ability to scan to email, we can ensure that you get the functionality you need, as well as provide a secure, sustainable and effective print management solution. With CBS, you can be confident that we will keep you informed about all news within the industry which may affect your business.
If you think you are going to be affected by this problem, contact CBS today for advice and support on how to resolve it.
Call now on 01274 496220
Email us at info@commercebusinesssystems.co.uk
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