With such a wide variety of usages available, I would think that there would be a significant risk of information leaks. What has been done from a security standpoint?
- Kitozaki
- First and foremost is user authentication when the device is used. In addition to making it impossible to use anything without user authentication, the device limits the functions that can be used and the stored files that can be accessed by individuals. This prevents information leaks due to fraudulent use.
Does this mean that users will need to implement a new user authentication method?
- Nishiyama
- As for security measures used when logging in to the iR-ADV, the IC card that many companies use as employee IDs, etc. can be used with an IC card reader installed on the iR-ADV itself. However, this is based on the assumption that the IC card type is compatible with the specifications of the iR-ADV.
In addition, user authentication is used to access the network as well. It's similar to accessing an ordinary company database.
- Asahara
- Along with being a necessity for security, user authentication is also necessary to access the "Customized Menu" as well. It doesn't just restrict access, but also serves as a mechanism to improve ease of use.
Is there any function to prevent the misuse of documents that have been output on paper?
- Nakagaki
- That would be the "job lock function." This function prints restricted information on paper in a dot pattern that is difficult to see with the naked eye, and when an attempt is made to copy the document on another iR-ADV, copying is prohibited. In the same way, a dot-pattern watermark can be embedded. When an attempt is made to copy the document on a copier other than the iR-ADV, the watermark comes to the forefront, making the copy unusable. Also, dot-pattern tracking information can be embedded to identify the individual printing the document.
That's amazing! The simple fact that such security functions are included is likely to be a powerful force in preventing misuse, but what about more aggressive methods of information leaks, such as stealing the hard drive?
- Kitozaki
- The hard drive is removable from the main unit, but it has a "hard drive encryption function" so that only the administrator can read the contents.
How about the risk that data in the hard drive will become corrupted?
- Nishiyama
- A "mirroring function" can be used for redundant data storage.
- Kitozaki
- From the beginning of development we felt that, if administrators can't use the functions easily and if those functions aren't solid and trustworthy, administrators won't use them. This includes security as well. There are many other mechanisms that mitigate the risk of information leaks, but none of them will feel like a burden to the administrator.
Finally, please tell us about the future of the iR-ADV from the standpoint of the developers.
- Nakagaki
- As part of our social responsibilities as a manufacturer, it will be necessary to further promote reduced environmental burden in the future. We will further decrease the system's power consumption. We will increase the number of parts that use recycled materials. We will make it possible to output high-quality color images even on low-quality recycled paper. I would like to focus our efforts in these directions.
- Asahara
- I think that the key point for the iR-ADV in the future is likely to be the ability to respond to changes in business processes that differ for each user. It would be a multifunction office system that changes according to changes in a job. As a pre-requisite for this, I would like to make it possible to implement system integration regardless of how the IT environment changes.
- Nishiyama
- I believe that the iR-ADV will integrate with future Canon product lineups as the core in cross-media imaging. I would like for it to evolve towards the creation of high-level solutions and new services.
- Kitozaki
- The iR-ADV was placed on the market in 2009. The real evaluations by users are still yet to come. I believe that our mission is to firmly follow up on those evaluations and continue to increase added value.
Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts with us today from a variety of perspectives.
