Photocopier Warehouse Invokes National Security Investigation

We seem to be surrounded by leaks at the moment. The digital copier has become the latest security concern, causing interest by the FTC. Data compromise is a big story at the moment. Wikileaks is all over the news and has even prompted concerns from the White House. In a society obsessed with security and prevention of information to the public concerns grow over leaky technology. Much of the information released has been from hackers or security personnel that were frustrated at the corruption within government and organizations. Such was the case with Politicians Expenses, where it was said to be brave army personnel back from Iraq that leaked the documents to the Daily Telegraph and exposed the greed and corruption at Parliament. In the case of Global Warming the Climatic Research Unit email was hacked (dubbed "Climategate" in the media) and documents were released that exposed scientists of bullying and corruption of test result information to fit their predictions.

For it is information that is vital and informing the public is a honorable profession, call them Super Hero Hackers. But these brave young hackers are performing the role our Lady Gaga obsessed news organizations no longer provide. "All the President's Men" that documented Watergate is perhaps a generation of Journalism we see little of any more. A generation with JFK's words ringing in their ears 

"I am asking your help in the tremendous task of informing and alerting the American people. For I have complete confidence in the response and dedication of our citizens whenever they are fully informed."

And so we come to one of the oldest methods of whistle blowing, the photocopier. From its conception the copier has been instrumental in gaining information and copying vital documents but its the digital photocopier that is causing most concern of late. CBS and NOTW media companies were both able to purchase copiers from a second hand photocopier warehouse and extract data. Using free tools gained off the Internet they found reams of sensitive information stored on copier hard drives. Manufacturers had dropped a ball leaving often-unencrypted information easily extractable. CBS gained documents from a major insurance company as well as Buffalo, N.Y. law enforcement agencies with data stored on the drives.

The stir caused by such revelations shook up the industry with Xerox and Toshiba quick to react and reassure customers. However it was not enough to appease concern. Now the FTC have began a investigation and impact to data protection is still to be investigated in the UK

"The FTC is aware of reports regarding the privacy risks associated with the use of digital copiers," Jon Leibowitz, the FTC's chairman, responded to Markey. "Like you, we also are concerned that personal information can be so easily retrieved from copiers, making it vulnerable to misuse by identity thieves. As you point out, businesses and government agencies should ensure that the information on the hard drives in digital copiers are wiped clean of personal information after the conclusion of use. The FTC is now reaching out to copier manufacturers, resellers and retail copy and office supply stores to ensure that they are ware of the privacy risks."

It seems the only secure way to ensure privacy of photocopiers is to "acquire ownership of the hard drives" and subsequently destroy them. Otherwise the scanned documents of your organization could potentially be published online