Print Analyzer for Enterprise Document Security Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing content management systems in enterprises are ineffective in controlling and securing documents that originate outside the managed ecosystem, particularly due to the risk of unauthorized printing, which is a significant cause of data loss and breaches.
Innovation Solution
A print analyzer is deployed on printers within the enterprise environment to analyze documents in real-time, applying rules to detect sensitive information and take actions such as redaction or alerting, and sending documents to a content management system for storage and further analysis, thereby controlling and understanding the printing of documents across the enterprise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If content management systems are used to manage documents, then access control and versioning are improved, but documents originating outside the enterprise ecosystem cannot be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces print drivers and print analyzers as intermediary components between external document sources and the content management system. These intermediaries capture documents at the printing stage, enabling control of documents that originate outside the enterprise ecosystem without requiring integration with all external sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis and control actions at the print driver level before documents enter the content management system. By analyzing documents during the printing process and applying rules in advance, the system can prevent unauthorized printing before documents are fully processed or distributed.
2Reliability
If print analyzers are deployed on printers, then unauthorized printing control is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The print analyzer is deployed directly on the printer, enabling the printer to autonomously analyze and control documents without requiring external analysis servers. This self-service approach simplifies the overall system architecture by distributing intelligence to the endpoint device.
Solution Approach 2:
The print driver serves multiple functions: it acts as a document converter, a security filter, an analyzer trigger, and a communication bridge. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby managing system complexity while maintaining comprehensive control capabilities.
3Reliability
If real-time document analysis is performed, then security risk reduction is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial analysis by focusing on specific high-risk document characteristics rather than performing complete document analysis. Rules are applied selectively based on document type, sensitivity indicators, and risk profiles, reducing processing overhead while maintaining effective security control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical document handling with automated digital analysis through print drivers and analyzers. This substitution enables rapid real-time processing by using software-based document inspection instead of physical document review, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining security effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a print analysis system are disclosed herein. Embodiments of these print analysis systems may include a print analyzer deployed on one or more printers within an enterprise environment and executing on the printers themselves. The print analyzer on the printer may then apply one or more print analysis rules to a document. Additionally, or alternatively, the print analyzer may send the document to a content management system for storage in a workspace or other storage area corresponding to printed documents of the enterprise. The documents in the workspace on the content management system may be evaluated or analyzed to provide understanding or insight into the documents printed in the enterprise environment.