Are There Security Risks With The Use Of Digital Copiers?

Digital copiers are like a computer these days. When a document is copied, it’s actually scanned into the memory of the copier. This gives convenience in a way that you can print off old documents even when the original is not available. The risk comes in the picture when someone else has access to the copier. The images that are stored in the memory of the copier could be accessed through computers or the copiers control panel.

A lot of companies are getting integrated into a network of several computers that can share information by means of wireless connectivity. Digital copiers also work into the wireless system by making it possible to print, copy, fax, and even scan documents from virtually any computer to any computer on the network. This wireless connectivity offer so much convenience for a lot of people, but it has security risks from hackers and other people accessing the network. Any documents that you save into the memory can then be accessed, downloaded, and printed.

Maybe the most dangerous risk is personal identity theft. Those who can access the digital copier can find information that may be used maliciously. This may be tax forms, credit card receipts, bills, personal documents, or other stuff that have information about identity.

Like any digital equipment, there are some safeguards that companies must utilize to get rid of the risk involved. One of these is to regularly delete the information from the copier’s memory. This won’t just free up space on the hard drive, but will make it impossible for hackers to steal the information.

Considering a lot of people actually lease their equipment, making certain that the memory is deleted before you take the copier back to the leasing company. More to these, a lot of companies will sell equipment after a few years so as to upgrade. Selling the used copiers that have saved documents can make it possible for others access them.

A secured wireless network is also of the essence in getting rid of risk involved in people gaining access to the documents stored on the digital copier. See to it that each station has its own private access to the network and that it is regularly changed.