While we may often complain about government bureaucracy and policy, one area our government shines in is the establishment of standards. The Common Criteria Security Standard has been developed as a way that manufacturers can ensure their devices match up to the needs of national security. While not necessary for your entire network, it is one standard to look for when setting up the most secured areas of your network. Some of the features that are coming out on devices that can increase the security are:

1. Embedded Fax - a fax server that physically separates the telephone connection from the rest of the network
2. Image Overwrite Option - overwrites the image data in a device queue so that there is no residual image left
3. Removable Disk Drive - hard drives can be physically pulled from the system without getting into the other machinery
4. Copy Authentication - employees are required to enter a PIN or code before printing documents

While implementing all of the Common Criteria requirements may not be right for you organization, working with experts to determine what software and hardware products are certified may make it easier to get the maximum security for your budget.

Reference: SC Magazine