Secure printing refers to printing jobs that adhere to a specific privacy standard to prevent unauthorized access to printed information. It is an essential technology for businesses that handle sensitive or confidential information. The main goal of secure printing is to ensure that only authorized users can access and print documents, and that the printed documents are not left unattended in the output bin, reducing the chances of sensitive information falling into the wrong hands.
Secure printing can be achieved through various methods, including verification via PIN numbers or other security measures. One form of secured print is what’s referred to as “locked print,” where documents won’t print before being released by the user that has been authorized to print. Another method is "print-to-me" or "follow-me" printing, where all the printers on a network connect to the same physical or cloud server for print jobs.
Secure printing is most often used for high-value documents such as banknotes, cheques, passports, tamper-evident labels, security tapes, product authentication, stock certificates, postage stamps, and identity cards. However, businesses are also protecting their lesser-value documents such as transcripts, coupons, and prescription pads by incorporating some of the features listed above to ensure that they cannot be forged or that alteration of the data cannot occur undetected.
In summary, secure printing is a crucial aspect of maintaining confidentiality, compliance, and security in print jobs. It ensures that only authorized users can access and print documents, and that the printed documents are not left unattended in the output bin, reducing the chances of sensitive information falling into the wrong hands.
