Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus that can form an image by ensuring security and that can reduce a waiting time for image forming. The image forming apparatus includes a communication processing unit that receives an image forming request through a predetermined communication network and that controls reception of image forming data corresponding to the image forming request, and an image forming unit that forms an image according to the image forming data. The communication processing unit restricts reception of the image forming data when a start operation of a secure image forming is received.