Whether you are a small business or a large enterprise considering a multifunction printer (MFP), the purchase conversation often turns to affordability, functionality, image quality, even sustainability. All critical features for sure, but one that can often be overlooked is MFP security. And while security elements may not be touted like color quality, or low ink prices or printer speed, they can be equally, if not more important.
We introduced the ColorQube 8700 and ColorQube 8900 color multifunction printers earlier this week, and quite simply, they were built with security top of mind. With more than 50,000 new security threats emerging each day, offering the highest level of protection to our customers isn’t just nice-to-do, it’s a requirement. The MFPs come equipped with world-class security features like secure print, password protection, common access card readers and encryption software. And they cover four major aspects of security – the document, MFP, access control, and network. Specifically:
- User Permissions improvements that provide the most network-friendly authentication and authorization capabilities from any manufacturer. In this iteration, authentication is based on role, either pre-defined or custom as specified by the customer. For example, a user’s permission to print can be controlled, and of course tracked and audited, making regulatory compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act a snap.
- For scanning to email, SMTP over SSL is now available to protect the mail transport channel. For network scanning, PDF files can be password protected. Optical Character Recognition software comes standard on the high speed model.
- A new software verification feature provides the ability to remotely ensure the integrity of the multifunction printer’s installed software.
Of particular interest in government settings:
- Within a Common Access Card (CAC) environment, encrypted email can be sent to others in the PKI that have entries in the public address book. Also new for both CAC and PIV is support for 144K cards, 2048-bit certificates and .P7B type certificates.
- Continued availability of Federal Information Processing Standard 140-2 validated crypto with upgraded minimum key lengths to meet new stricter National Institute of Standards and Technology requirements.
This laundry list of security features may not impact every customer. But increasingly, security concerns and features that minimize these risks are top of mind for businesses of all sizes, and we remain focused on staying one step ahead of vulnerabilities.
Do you have a question or need help with your MFP security? Let us know in the comments below.
