Specifications

Print Controller Design Guide for Information Security:
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22. Copy Data Security Feature
Overview of Copy Data Security Operations
• The Copy Data Security feature acts to discourage unauthorized copying of confidential documents.
There are two aspects to the feature:
 Marking the copy/print with a visible, embedded pattern
Note: The marking aspect is a standard feature on MFP/LP models.
 Detecting the pattern if a copy is attempted, and then graying out the entire image
Note: The detection aspect is provided as an optional feature on MFP models only (Copy Data
Security Unit).
Marking:
• If the user selects the Copy Data Security feature when making the first copy of a document or
printing out the document for the first time from the printer driver, a pre-defined pattern will be
embedded in the background area of the resulting image to demarcate that copying of the image is
prohibited. Users can select from among several patterns, as well as add a text string such as
“Copying of this document is prohibited” or the date, time or name of the user who created the
original document (details below).
Note: Documents for which the Copy Data Security feature has been selected cannot be saved to
the Document Server.
Detection/Graying:
• If a user then attempts to make a copy of an image containing the embedded pattern (or store the
image to the MFP Document Server), and the optional Copy Data Security Unit is installed on that
MFP, the pattern will be detected and a buzzer will sound. The image is then grayed-out to hide the
original contents and then exited to the tray. In addition, a log entry of the event will be added to the
Access Log, along with the date, time and username.
If a user attempts to make a copy of an image containing the embedded pattern on an MFP without
the optional Copy Data Security Unit, including products of another make, the resulting image will
not be grayed out. However, it will be much more indecipherable due to the superimposition of the
pattern on the original image. In addition, if the user entered a text string to be embedded into the
pattern when printing out the original document, the text will be made visible when a copy of the
document is made. This optional text field can be set to a number of different character strings to
suit the operator’s needs, such as “Copying of this document is prohibited”, the date on which the
document was created, or the name of the user who created the document. By making this
information visible, it is possible to further deter the unauthorized copying of documents.
Note: The exact appearance of the optional text string (size, image density, etc.) will depend on the
type and condition of the machine making the copy.