New protection for multifunction print devices

Xerox Phaser 7100 Office SettingXerox and McAfee have joined forces and revealed new protection against malware and viruses with the first networked multifunction printer to use McAfee Embedded Control software. The two companies claim that this new software is a sophisticated filtering method that allows only approved programmes to get through. While most people believe that malware threats are usually only associated with personal computers, Xerox demonstrated to attendees at the McAfee FOCUS 12 security conference that any networked device is vulnerable.

“When a multifunction device receives data and processes it for printing, copying, scanning or faxing, it becomes susceptible to malware attacks – a susceptibility that often is overlooked,” said Tom Moore, vice president, Embedded Security, McAfee.

The Xerox and McAfee security solution has been designed to simplify processes for IT administrators by embedding software into a multifunction device’s controller (the machine’s main onboard computer).The aim is to provide an immediate alert and audit trail to track and investigate the time and origin of security threats and then allow appropriate action to be taken. As a consequence, Xerox and McAfee maintain that this will eliminate the need for IT administrators to constantly stay on top of malware threats and proactively block them.

Climax Portable Machining and Welding Systems is the company testing the technology as David Richardson, the company’s network administrator explained.

“As we expand we recognise that we will increase our exposure to viruses and malware,” he said. “Adding McAfee technology to our Xerox equipment is critical to protecting our intellectual property as we integrate multiple sites and systems around the world.”

Recent survey data from Xerox and McAfee seems to underscore the need for embedded security in networked printers and multifunction devices. In a poll of office workers taken earlier this year, more than half replied that they either don’t always follow their company’s IT security policies or aren’t even aware of the policies. – leaving the security of customer credit card numbers, financial reports, and human resource and tax documents at risk. The survey also showed 39 per cent of employees who copy, scan or print confidential information at work say they wonder (at least sometimes) whether the information on a networked device will remain secure.

Xerox Phaser 7100“IT administrators don’t always consider printers as a threat – and with the Embedded Control software, we’ve put up even more defences in our products so they don’t have to,” said Rick Dastin, president, Xerox Office and Solutions Business Group.

Xerox devices protected and managed by McAfee Embedded Control and McAfee Embedded Management software will become available in 2013, with products in the Xerox WorkCentre® and ColorQube® product lines.

For more information about the Xerox partnership with McAfee, along with videos and images, visit http://www.xerox.com/security.

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