Canon announced, in conjunction with Hitachi, a new security feature for Canon Copiers. Fingerprint identification will be used to limit use of the copier in secure locations and provide advancement on pin id numbers. Whilst the internet concerns focus on the storage of information on hard drives and the potential dangers of used canon digital photocopiers being sold containing sensitive information, Canon Copiers have stated their hard drives are securely encrypted and cannot be hacked.

Canon Copiers new technology will scan finger prints to potentially stop people abusing the copier. This is promoted as an advancement of the pin system commonly used by banks that comes as standard on most photocopiers. Critics have argued the cost of the new system outweighs any potential loss of income caused by an employee for any company or organization. Canon however new fingerprint system could be vital in secure area's where photocopiers can cause a security leak. The fingerprint scanner would prevent misuse of other personnel's pin numbers and ensure accountability.

Photocopier hard drives that record all activity on the copier have come under intense scrutiny. Both CBS and the News Of The World have highlighted in recent internet stories that data can be extracted from old photocopier hard drives that is extremely sensitive. News organizations were able to extract private data from hard drives of used copiers and alerted governments in both the USA and UK over potential data breaches.

Canon Copiers maintain that encryption, approved by organizations such as the NSA, protect sensitive information on their photocopiers and that their hard drives can't be hacked. Xerox, Sharp and many other leading manufacturers have been quick to react posting advice online and offering secure removal of data at the end of the copiers life.

Canon's new fingerprint technology is their latest security tool. Building on existing features such as encryption and secure printing. Canon Copiers Japan has launched its fingerprint identification on all new imageRUNNER ADVANCE canon photocopier machines and is designed to work programs such as Java J2ME (MEAP). The new security measure means that personnel with the proper clearance will have to be physically at the machine to use it or collect remote printing. The Canon ' Hitachi fingerprint scanner is expected to be available outside of Japan in 2011. The new fingerprint identification system will be targeted to security-focused organisations and corporations with a predicted price of $1500 to US clients.