Digital Copy Machines – Security Risk?

0
953

Originally Published: 2010-06-17 – http://isc.sans.edu/diary.html?storyid=9010&rss
Last Updated: 2010-06-17 14:37:21 UTC
by Deborah Hale (Version: 1)

See the Internet Storm Center for Internet Updates

I just happened upon a CBS News video that gave me pause for thought.  This once posted back in April however

I missed it until now.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6412572n

The video talks about the fact that "modern" digital copy machines, those sold after 2002, contain a hard drive.  These hard drives store the images copied.  These machines are traded in for new models and then refurbed and resold. However, the hard drives more than likely are not getting scrubbed to remove the content. One of the copy machines in the video not only contained content on the hard drive but also still had documents left on the copy bed.

This brings up some interesting discussions.  What is on your copymachine hard drive?  When it is sent in for repair what information may be gleaned from a quick glance at the drive?  Is your copy machine another potential target to aid in identity theft?
Food for thought.  Should there be processes and procedures in place for the disposal of these devices? Do you know what other devices in your organization contain a hard drive or other storage device?  Is there a process for cleaning before disposal? What does your company do if anything to ensure that no confidential data is leaked by disposal of old equipment?

Deb Hale Long Lines, LLC

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here