National Cyber Security Awareness Month takes place each October and focuses on how the public and private sector can improve their cyber security efforts. Now in its 13th year, the goal of this month is to educate organizations on how to be safer and utilize key technologies to prevent cybercrime.
The first week kicks off with a focus on tips to protect valuable data by using stronger authentication methods.
Here is a list of 5 key authentication methods used to secure print across all industries:
- Username and Password – essentially a printer or MFP is a computer on the network; it has access to the same corporate directory systems for user account information. The same user name and password used to access a computer or email account can be used to secure access to printers/MFPs.
- Personal Identification Number (PIN) code – this is a number usually between 4 to 6 digits and can be keyed in using the numeric pad on the device or a separate numeric keypad.
- ID Badges and Key Fobs – there are many card based methods to read information on a card, such as a magnetic stripe, radio frequency or a chip on the card. Key fobs can also be used in the same way as radio frequency cards, but fit nicely in a pocket.
- Biometric – fingerprint authentication has become more acceptable to consumers as smart phones have incorporated fingerprint scanners in recent years. Enterprise-grade fingerprint authentication is available for organizations looking to remove the need to manage PIN codes and ID badges.
- Multi-Factor Authentication – organizations may decide to use more than one method to secure information. It is possible to secure access to printers and MFPs with 2 factors; using ‘something you have’ like an ID card and ‘something you know’ like a PIN code.What solutions are available?
FollowMe by Ringdale simplifies user authentication by working with the organization’s existing authentication technologies to secure access to valuable information and enable Single Sign On capability (SSO). Supported authentication options include numeric keypads, RFID cards/fobs, contact smart cards, or biometric fingerprint readers. FollowMe also has a wide embedded portfolio, providing a fully integrated solution on most manufacturers’ multifunction printers (MFPs), where authentication is enabled directly from the device touch screen, without the need for external hardware.
For further information on FollowMe by Ringdale visit www.followme.ringdale.com.
Check out the new enhancements for security in FollowMe version 6.2
Reference Links:
National Cyber Security Awareness Month October 2016
https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/NCSAM%202016%20One%20Pager.pdf
NCSAM #CyberAware
Check out Ringdale FollowMe embedded on Xerox with EIP – VIDEO