Canon Photocopiers Put Security At Their Fingertips

Canon announced, in partnership with Hitachi, a new security system for Canon Photocopiers. Fingerprint identification will be used to control use of the photocopier in secure locations and provide improvement on pin id numbers. Whilst the internet buzz focus on the storage of data on copier hard drives and the potential dangers of used digital photocopiers being sold containing sensitive information, Canon Photocopiers have stated their hard drives are securely encrypted and cannot be accessed.Canon Photocopiers new technology will scan fingerprints to prevent misuse of the photo-copier machine.

This is promoted as an advancement of the pin system commonly used by banks that comes as standard on most photocopiers. Critics have argued the cost of the new system outweighs any potential loss of income caused by an employee for any company or organization. Canon however new fingerprint system could be vital in secure area’s where photocopiers can cause a security leak. The fingerprint scanner would prevent misuse of other personnel’s pin numbers and ensure accountability.

Photocopier hard drives that record all activity on the copier have come under intense scrutiny. Both CBS and the News Of The World have highlighted in recent internet stories that data can be extracted from old photocopier hard drives that is extremely sensitive. News organizations were able to hack private data from hard drives of used photocopiers and alerted security departments in both the USA and UK over potential data leakage.

Canon Photocopiers are confident that encryption, approved by departments such as the NSA, protect sensitive information on their copiers and that their hard drives can't be hacked. Xerox, Sharp and many other leading manufacturers have been quick to react posting advice online and offering secure removal of data at the end of the copiers life.

Canon Copiers new fingerprint scan technology is their latest security tool. Building on existing features such as encryption and secure printing. Canon Photocopiers Japan has launched its fingerprint identification on all new imageRUNNER ADVANCE canon copier machines and is designed to work software such as Java J2ME (MEAP. The new security measure means that personnel with the proper clearance will have to be physically at the machine to use it or collect