Collaboration with antivirus providers McAfee to create first networked multifunction printer to combat malware threats.
Xerox has announced a 
partnership with antivirus company McAfee to create the first multifunction printer (MFP) with malware control software in a bid to curb the advance of printer-abusing cybercrime.
Noting that in the recent McAfee FOCUS 12 security conference that any networked device is vulnerable to cybercrime, Xerox has announced that its as-yet unnamed MFP will feature McAfee Embedded Control software, claimed to be a “sophisticated filtering method that allows only approved programs to get through”.
A survey conducted by the OEM and McAfee purports to reveal the heightened need for embedded security in networked printers and MFPs, while a poll claims that a majority of office workers either don’t always follow company IT security protocol or are unaware of such policies.
The lack of security is said to place at risk customer credit card numbers, financial reports and human resources and tax documents.
Tom Moore, Vice President, Embedded Security, McAfee, commented: “When a multifunction device receives data and processes it for printing, copying, scanning or faxing, it becomes susceptible to malware attacks.”
Dan Smith, Head of Integrated Marketing for the Middle East and Africa region, Developing Markets Operations, Xerox, added: “IT administrators don’t always consider printers as a threat – and with the Embedded Control software, we’ve put up even more defences in our products so they don’t have to.”
Network security has been an increasingly important aspect to consider with the rise in popularity of MFPs in the workplace and MPS as a business solution. HP has claimed that cybercrime costs have increased by 40 percent; representing a third consecutive annual increase and 51 severe outages have been recorded in the EU as a result of cybercrime.