Is Your MFP Or Copier Secure?
The increasing affordability of large amounts of digital space has meant that much of our information has become ever more vulnerable in recent years. It seems that almost every week, there's another news item about citizens', patients' or consumers' data having been lost, misplaced or somehow gone astray. Twenty years ago, it would have required hulking great servers to carry 1 gigabyte of data. Today, that sort of storage potential is on offer to anyone with a trouser pocket and just a few pounds. In fact, many organisations give away terabytes of space to potential new customers and acquaintances as they used to dish out company biros. Instead of chewing the end of your embossed pen, you may well discover a much less comfortable freebie hanging on the edge of your lip, a stubby USB stick with room on-board for the entire medical records of a UK county. It's obvious that the huge strides forward in digital technology carry with them equally huge risks. Data is increasingly exposed and more and more of it is turning up in the wrong places. Companies and public bodies are now frequently landed with debilitating law suits and many are left reeling with both reputations and bank balances in tatters.
In the sanctuary of the office, it's understandable that many organisations overlook the security risks posed by the seemingly humble photocopier. Perhaps, unconsciously recalling the analogue origins of reprographic technology, many individuals fail to recognise the technological processes taking place before them. 'When I send a print job to an MFP or copier, it prints that job and that's that. No security risk, just a very straightforward task performed in the simplest of ways.' Well, like the larger USB sticks, today's MFP's come equipped with vast amounts of storage space. This isn't gratuitous over-technologization of the office - the growing importance of network printing and the increasing burdens that are placed on ever-more capable machines, means larger hard disks are in fact required to handle more print jobs and store temporary information.
In order to keep its customers protected, reprographics technology manufacturer, Canon, has been at the forefront in developing the highest standards of protection for its imageRUNNER MFP's. In the past, this has ranged from non-standard operating systems running on its devices and the use of proprietary image compression formats to unique disk systems for non-contagious file storage. But for those that require the highest levels of protection, Canon has developed a truly formidable package of what it deceptively simply calls 'Hard Disk Drive Security Options'. Understanding the very strict standards of security that are becoming increasingly normative within the corporate world and the very stringent privacy and auditing regulations of the public sector, Canon's two optional feature packages deliver the very highest levels of data protection. Introducing HDD Data Encryption and HDD Data Erase.
HDD Data Encryption Utilizing the most advanced encryption algorithms, HDD Data Encryption is designed to protect all of a device's temporary data as well as the documents that have been stored onto it. Canon's HDD Data Encryption system is recognised by the US governmental body, The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as well as the renowned National Security Agency (NSA) as providing a strong level of security.
HDD Data Encryption Technology The principle is simple enough. Canon's HDD Data Encryption Security Option provides a dedicated plug-in board which encrypts each byte of data before it's committed to the hard disk drive. This is done using a 256 bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) or 168 bit Triple Data Encryption Algorithm (TDEA) algorithm depending on the device model. The encryption kit uses an inaccessible secret key that's stored on-board the plug-in to encrypt and decrypt all data that's stored in random, non-continuous sections of the disk drive. This means that once the data's written it's virtually irretrievable to anyone seeking to recover it form within the drive or through external recovery applications.
MFP Security Chips Each one of Canon's HDD Data Encryption Security Kits comes equipped with a Canon MFP security chip 1.00. This chip has achieved a Common Criteria Certification of Evaluation Assurance Level 3 (EAL 3) for its proven effectiveness at preventing unauthorised access to data. Common Criteria have ascertained this through methodical testing procedures and a rigorous verification process. This high level of assurance which Common Criteria provides may assist companies and organisations with meeting their particular privacy goals.
Optional Data Erase Kits Have you ever wondered why on your favourite TV police drama, some digital forensics officer will always be able to find information on a hard disk which the user had obviously thought he or she had erased entirely? Well, the truth is that when data is committed to a hard disk, the potential still exists for it to be retrieved even after the user has deleted it. And this is as true for copier or MFP hard disk drives as it is on more commonly found hard disk drives on your laptop or office PC. Sensitive data will remain on your device's disk drive until it has been effectively overwritten. This is why Canon has developed the HDD Data Erase Function. By overwriting data with either null data, random data or random data three times, the Canon HDD Data Erase Function ensures that no traces of any temporary data or deleted documents on your device will remain accessible, giving you the ultimate peace of mind that when you delete with Canon, you delete permanently.
It's clear to see that much like any other data-based technology, high performance office equipment is as vulnerable to security risks as any other laptop, server or USB stick. So it's vitally important that as the technologies become more powerful, companies and organisations are prepared for the ever broader ramifications of security compromise. Canon's advanced security technology, by understanding precise nature of the risks and doing the utmost to control and minimise these, provides organisations with the highest level of assurance, so that they're able to make the most of imageRUNNER MFP technology, in all its technological glory.
Clive Gilbert is a leading document imaging technology consultant and writer, covering all the latest developments in the field of photocopiers.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Clive_Gilbert
Ten Questions Your Copier Rep Should Ask You at an Initial Appointment
At least 70% of being a great salesperson is based on the ability of the sales rep to ask relevant questions in an open-ended manner. If you are reading this, my guess is that you are considering the acquisition of a new copy system. During my seven year tenure at two leading copier companies, I trained new Sales Trainees in the fine art of asking all of the right questions. It might be helpful to you if you had an idea of what your copier rep SHOULD be asking you. In order to receive the most accurate sales solution for your corporations needs, be prepared to answer the following questions:
1. Can you take me on a tour of your facility so that I can see your current equipment? (During the tour, the sales rep should be writing down model numbers, equipment accessories, location, and copy volume.)
2. How many black/white copies do you make monthly? Color copies? Is your volume seasonal or even throughout the year? Do you see any reason for your volume to increase or decrease throughout the next 2-3 year period? (Volume is an indication of the speed and size of equipment you require.)
3. How many Black/White Prints do you make monthly? Color prints? Is your volume seasonal or even throughout the year? Do you see any reason for your volume to increase or decrease throughout the next 2-3 year period? How many scans do you send and receive monthly? How many faxes do you send and receive monthly? (You are being asked this question because the digital imaging product line is now multifunctional and systems can copy and print in monochrome and color, scan and fax. Providing you with an all-in-one system often leads to substantial cost savings.)
4. Do you currently outsource any printing or copying jobs, particularly color copies and prints? (The rep wants to assess whether or not she can save you any money by bringing any of those jobs in-house and completing the work on the new system.)
5. Do you currently lease your system? If so, from whom? When does your lease expire? What is your current payment? Do you want to return your current system to the leasing company when the new one arrives? Do you own your current system? Do you want a quote for a trade-in amount on the old system? (Lease buyouts are a tricky thing and your rep wants to make sure you even have the option to end your lease and return your current equipment. The rep also doesn't want any surprises if you expect a trade-in on your equipment.)
6. Do you have the following information in writing regarding your current lease: lease expiration date, buyout to return amount, buyout to keep amount and return instructions for the equipment? (The rep wants to make sure you have everything in writing so that she can figure the buyout of your current lease into the proposal for your new equipment.)
7. If you could change anything about your current model, what would it be? If you could change anything about your current vendor, what would it be? (You can bet that the rep's product and company is going to be pitched to be everything you want and more.)
8. Do you wish to purchase or lease your new equipment? What amount have you budgeted for this acquisition? (The rep wants to find out if your cost expectations are reasonable. If you wish to lease, the rep might not even show you an actual purchase amount. If you want to see a cash purchase amount make sure you tell your rep to design her proposal accordingly.)
9. What do you look for in a new vendor? (She wants to find out what criteria you will base your decision on.)
10. When do you want your new equipment installed? (She wants to know how quickly you intend to make a decision and just how important this acquisition is in your long list of priorities.)
If a digital imaging rep does not ask you some variation of these questions, I would seriously question the professionalism and thoroughness of the rep and the company he represents.
For more insights from a former copier rep on how to buy a copier check out what Kristen Stez recommends at http://www.squidoo.com/howtobuyacopier. Become armed and dangerous for your next run-in with the copier rep at http://www.squidoo.com/howtobuyacopier.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristen_R._Stez
Top Copier Machine Products
A copier machine is commonly used in offices and school places as they provide copying purposes that is part of these community structures. Xerox Corporation presented the first in the year 1949. Photocopy machines are widely known as Xerox machines back then.
Nowadays, copier machine apparatus' are more advanced. Top quality can provide high-grade photocopying tasks such as copying colored materials like photograph pictures. manufacturers continue to develop more useful copy machine models to meet the growing demands.
Office Copiers
Copier machine equipments are ordinarily found in every office corner. Most offices prefer to use digital due to its ability to save more time and make employees at work more productive.
One type of copier machine is the Sharp AR-208D. It is designed for small spaced offices. This model comes in desktop size printers. Despite the size this machine has, it also has 600 dpi PC Printing, electronic sorting plus standard color PC scanning features. AR-208D can make 20 document copies per minute and can produce, at most, 99 document copies if placed in continuous copying setting.
All in One printers
All in one printers are the latest models produced by different manufacturers. These machines provide Fax printing, document printing, scanning and photocopying tasks. The design was created to deliver the most commonly used equipments in one package and thus, increase productivity levels using such machines.
HP LaserJet M1319f MFP is an example of the latest all in one printer manufactured by HP. This machine provides scanning, faxing, printing and copying services. This equipment is both a cost-efficient and time efficient investment due to its multi tasking abilities. This machine can print a maximum 8000 pages per month, make 99 document copies per day and can hold up to 500 pages of A4 size fax memory.
Personal machines provide the portability of convenience and ease of access. Personal sized copiers are tailored small and light to allow users to move around and still access their copiers without any hassle.
Canon PC170 copier machine is an analog copying device that can fit in small spaces. The size of this equipment is 32" width and 4.5" height. It is comparable to the usual flat DVD player. Personal Copiers like this makes copying services available at home and places the user wish to go.
A copier machines is one of the many great contributions of technology that help improve lives and create quality living.
For more information on Copier Types and Brands Guide please visit our website.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Urmann
The Reasons Why a Used Copier is Better Than a New One
With the 'New Normal' out there and cost-cutting on everyone's mind, how does a business manage to compete? Business still needs to be done and equipment to run an office is still necessary, but how do you do that with value in today's economy?
1. Modifications and Retrofits
Every new machine has modifications and retrofits that are introduced weeks or months after introduction. Some have dozens! Some of these are minor; others are quite substantial in relation to their impact on the performance of the machine. While the manufacturer is identifying problems and designing these modifications, the customer is experiencing down time and lost production. This is a problem for the company that bought the machine as well as the company you bought the machine from.
When you purchase a certified pre-owned copier the technicians who certify the machine have prior knowledge of all the necessary modifications and retrofits. When these modifications are installed during the certification process you are receiving a copier that is, in effect, better than new!
2. No "Lemon" models
In an industry, there are a share of "lemon" models out there. These are those models that have serious inherent problems that show up after several months or past a certain meter threshold. For legal reasons no models will be mentioned here, but for anyone in the industry, they know the one's to avoid.
If you are dealing with a reputable supplier of pre-owned equipment, they will know the models for you to avoid. And more importantly, will be able to steer you to the high-quality machines that will serve you for years.
3. Service
Service is THE all-important consideration when purchasing any piece of equipment. So a valid service contract for your machine is all-important. The best advice would be to seek out a qualified service technician who knows and understands your machine.
4. Used Means Green
Many companies have instituted a green initiative. And many others are at least interested in a green alternative. The amount of carbon dioxide gas released into the atmosphere is 355 tons per every 1000 copiers manufactured. (For information on the carbon footprint of copiers go to: http://www.industryplayer.com/licenceinfo.php?licid=014300). The carbon footprint of a rebuilt copier is practically zero. This is a strong selling point for any environmentally concerned customer.
5. (Re) Made in America!
When your customer buys a new copier the majority of the profits are going to Japan or China or Korea. When you buy a certified pre-owned copier 100% of the price goes back into American businesses through the dealers' parts and labor, the equipment resellers, and the leasing companies. In times like these more than ever, we need to support American businesses.
6. Cost
Last but not least is Cost. This is the no brainer part of the sale. A certified pre-owned copier is going to cost you 50 to 70 percent less than a comparable new model. And these certified machines will typically still have 90% of their useful life available. That's like buying a BMW 7 series for $15,000 with 10,000 miles on the car. When you add in the upgrades and modification, national service and the All-American nature of the transaction, making the move from new equipment to certified pre-owned equipment is now more important than ever.
Mark Bowman is the President of JayMark-LLC.com, specializing in certification of pre-owned office equipment since 2003. With our ability to ship and service any machine nationwide, our customer service is unmatched and our prices cannot be beaten.
And with a service network of 16,000 technicians nationwide, JayMark has the ability to ship and service any machine in the United States. For more information, go to http://www.JayMark-LLC.com or email him directly at mark@jaymark-llc.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Alan_Bowman