Securing the Print Frontier: Xerox & Cisco’s Cutting-Edge Collaboration
Xerox and Cisco: Ensuring Your Printers Don’t Become Trojan Horses.
In an age of hyper-connectivity and decentralized workforces, the security of data and systems across networks becomes paramount. Beyond servers, desktops, and laptops, printers and multifunction printers (MFPs) are vulnerable endpoints connected to the same network that transports valuable organizational data. Xerox has developed device-level protections like strong authentication and data encryption, both at rest and in motion. However, Xerox has gone a step further by partnering with Cisco Systems to enhance device security, thereby ensuring the protection of critical information across entire corporate networks.
The partnership between Xerox and Cisco has resulted in the integration of over 200 detailed Xerox device profiles into Cisco’s Identity Services Engine (ISE), an enterprise-proven security policy management and enforcement platform. These profiles enable ISE to automatically detect Xerox ConnectKey-enabled VersaLink and AltaLink devices, and control access based on granular security policies defined by the organization. Administrators can now determine the presence, identity, and security status of networked Xerox devices, incorporate Xerox devices into granular network access controls, build and enforce role-based device-access policies and user groups, and restrict or prohibit the use of unauthorized networked devices. Furthermore, they can monitor, log, and receive alerts on device activity for data-loss prevention.
Output devices are usually the last asset considered in network security policies – but history has shown us EVERY connected device is an opportunity for skullduggery. As a copier dealer, Xerox or otherwise, your ability to communicate with and educate prospects on ALL facets of security is valuable.
As an aside, as a testament to industry collaboration, it wasn’t that long ago when a collaboration between a copier manufacturer and a network hardware producer was unimaginable. Today, not only are these arrangements commonplace, they are indicative of the complexity needed to help your customers solve problems.
Be a solver of problems not just a vendor of copiers.
Would you like to know more? Go here.
– Greg Walters, Head Writer
