Your copier’s hard drive could be a digital time bomb unless properly secured.
Your copier is hiding something from you – its hard drive.
These hidden hard drives in copiers prevalent since 2002 store images of every document that’s ever been copied, scanned, or emailed. This data remains stored on the hard drive until the drive becomes full then the old data is overwritten, but there’s always the potential for sensitive information to be stored on your copier’s hard drive. Though that copier in the corner of the office may appear innocent, it is ripe for hacking – and they are often overlooked.
Most copiers are connected to an office network and businesses many times may fail to have a strong password in place in order to receive access. A weak password or a lack of password could easily result in providing hackers the ability (through the Internet) to gain access to the network and all those document images stored on the copier’s hard drive.
Not only are copiers security threats while being used at the office, but they’re also a potential threat later when they’re sold to a third party. According to a CBS News segment, these copiers are a “digital time bomb” and a treasure trove for identity thieves – holding images with information such as social security numbers, income tax forms, bank records, and birth certificates. Check out the segment HERE and see what is discovered in an undercover investigation in a warehouse in New Jersey.
You’re aware of the potential threats – now what do you do?
Here are some options to protect a copier’s hard drive and its stored data:
- Passwords: Businesses password-protecting copiers is just as important as password-protecting their computers. Be sure that the passwords cannot be easily guessed and that they are changed regularly. This article should help: “How to Create and Remember Strong Passwords.” Never use a work password for a personal account – don’t let Facebook lead to a compromise in the network.
- Disk Scrubbing: Before disposing of a copier or selling it to a third party – in order to prevent unauthorized data recovery and protect sensitive information – the disks have to be scrubbed. Simply, disk scrubbing wipes the hard drive clean and ensures information security. You could see this called digital shredding as well.
- Encryption: Have software installed that encrypts data already on the hard drive or prevents it from being stored. This method allows businesses to safeguard electronic information by preventing unauthorized access to files.
- Vendor Services: Vendors can replace, remove, or dispose of hard drives. Depending on what the decision is for end-of-life (whether the hard drive will stay on site, be scrubbed, or disposed of) a copier service provider can help with these services. Here at Datamax, we understand document security and ensure your copier hard drive security.
Unless businesses include their digital copiers in what they may think to be a bulletproof security plan, that system is flawed and a prime target for hackers.
