Cybersecurity is now an essential aspect of any modern business, whatever the size or market type, as cyber-attacks and threats continue to evolve and become more sophisticated.

To ensure the safety of your business and its data, it is vital to have a robust cybersecurity strategy in place, including measures such as Cyber Essentials and Plus accreditation, Pen Testing, and SOC services (Security Operations Centre).

In this article, we will explore why we believe these cybersecurity measures are essential and how they, and we, as a supplier of IT support services, can help protect customers from cyber threats.

Being aware is the first step to prevention

Today, it’s not just operating systems on a network that are a target of cyber-attacks; anything connected to a network is potentially vulnerable, including the least likely of candidates, printers and multifunctional photocopiers (MFPs).

MFPs, in all areas of the marketplace, have access to the world wide web and are included within the ‘Internet of Things’ (IoT) as vital endpoints on a network. In both cases this access makes them a risk to data security and cyber-attacks.

What can be done to prevent attacks on basic office equipment at a basic level?

At Elmdale Maintenance, part of the Elmdale Group, all the latest MFPs we supply have been designed with some effective standard security features, such as user authentication, secure print and hard drive data encryption, when they are manufactured, which comply with the Compatible Criteria Certification (ISO/IEC 15408) as well as the IEEE 2600.1 standard.

However, we also recommend strengthening data security further with a choice of options, depending on the level required, from data security kits to 3rd party tools, such as PaperCut, to track and securely release print jobs, and antivirus options like Bitdefender® which enables print jobs to be scanned in real-time to prevent potentially harmful virus attacks and data breaches.

It’s human nature to be sceptical of the latest technology and also not wish to spend too much money, but, in today’s world, can businesses and individuals afford not to protect their data?

What are businesses doing to secure themselves and their customers?

When auditing clients’ needs, and recommending solutions, whether they are print IT products or IT services, we have a dedicated IT Services division, Elmdale IT Services, which include discussing the security of their printing infrastructure and network as a priority. This helps us find out more about their network and IT support and regularly involves discussing all network security aspects from security of devices on the network to awareness of spoof/fraudulent emails as a way of accessing the network and company data.

Being in line with the latest GDPR regulations is also paramount so we evaluate the appropriate level of security that we need to put in place and the basic technical controls we can use, such as those within the framework of the Cyber Essentials and Essentials Plus accreditation.

Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus Accreditation

Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus are UK government-backed cybersecurity certification schemes that provide a baseline of cybersecurity measures that all organisations should implement. The Cyber Essentials scheme is designed to help businesses of all sizes to protect themselves from common cyber threats.

The scheme provides a set of basic technical controls that should be in place, such as firewalls, secure configuration, access controls and patch management.

Cyber Essentials Plus is a more rigorous certification scheme that requires an independent assessment of an organisation’s cybersecurity controls.

It includes all the requirements of Cyber Essentials but also includes a vulnerability scan and an on-site assessment. Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation is more suitable where a higher level of assurance or sensitive data is handled, such as government-based contracts or within banks and other financial organisations.

Penetration Testing

Penetration testing, also known as ‘pen testing’, is a method of testing an organisation’s cybersecurity defences by simulating a cyber-attack.

A pen test can identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses within a company’s systems and networks, providing insights into how to improve security measures. Pen testing can be carried out on specific areas of the infrastructure, such as web applications, networks, or wireless networks.

Pen testing can be conducted in two ways, either through automated testing or manual testing. Automated testing uses software tools to simulate attacks, while manual testing is carried out by our trained professionals who attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in a system. The results of a pen test can be used to improve security measures and reduce the risk of a successful cyber-attack.

SOC Services

SOC (Security Operations Centre) services provide 24/7 monitoring and management of a business’ cybersecurity systems and networks. SOC services use advanced technology, such as threat intelligence, to detect and respond to cyber threats in real-time. SOC services can help organisations to identify and reduce potential cyber threats before they become a problem.

SOC services typically include security incident and event management (SIEM), threat hunting, vulnerability management, and incident response. These services are provided by our trained cybersecurity team who have the expertise and knowledge to detect and respond to cyber threats quickly and effectively.

Conclusion

In conclusion, cyber threats are a significant risk for businesses of all sizes, and cybersecurity measures such as Cyber Essentials and Plus accreditation, Pen Testing, and SOC services are essential to protect against these threats.

These measures provide a baseline of cybersecurity controls, identify vulnerabilities in an organisation’s systems, and provide 24/7 monitoring and management of cybersecurity systems and networks.

By implementing these measures, organisations can reduce the risk of a successful cyber-attack and protect their business and its data from harm.

For more information, please contact us on 0118 982 1444 or email:

Elmdale IT Services: support@elmdaleit.co.uk or sales@elmdaleit.co.uk

Elmdale Maintenance (for Print IT solutions): sales@elmdalemaintenance.co.uk

We are looking for a locally based, full-time Credit Controller to join the Elmdale Group team. This is an ideal opportunity for an experienced individual with strong attention to detail, combined with the ability to provide outstanding customer service.

Here is the full Job Description.
If you’re interested in applying for the role, please send your CV to stuart@elmdalemaintenance.co.uk

10th August 2022 saw the start of the final 10 Day Collins Aerospace Rally for Heroes, organised by SSAFA to raise money for military charities. The Rally aims to travel 5 miles for every service man or woman who has fallen in the line of duty, since the start of the Afghanistan campaign.

Elmdale Maintenance has been involved in supporting this event with money already raised for the charity and Service Director, Jon Palin physically taking part in this year’s event.

We will be following the progress of Jon and his navigator, Jo (who is also Jon’s wife, so no doubt she will keep him in check along the way), as they make their way across 10 countries in 10 days, in their limited-edition CS800 Ford Mustang.

Day 1: At 10.00am, the cars left Dover Castle and made their way to France, by ferry. So far so good. The goal for today is to drive 263 miles to reach the stunning city of Cologne in Germany where they will re-group and spend their first night. Let the adventure begin……

After a gentle drive through France and Germany the group finally arrive in Cologne.

With plenty of miles to cover on Day 2, the journey from Cologne to Prague was also a chance for the cars to let rip and release their power and noise along the German autobahns.

Weekend update:
Over the weekend Jon Palin – Elmdale’s representative on the Rally for Heroes – sent us some photos and an overview of an epic Day 4: As Jon said “Bratislava to Budapest, wow what a day!!!”

It started with a short trip to the Hungarian Border where the group was met by a Military Police escort and guided from the border to the F1 Hungaroring,. It was a dream come true for many of the drivers who were given carte blanche to drive a few laps of this hallowed track.

Once the adrenalin rush had subsided, it was on to Heroes’ Square where the 52 cars lined the square, before a memorial service and wreath laying ceremony, at the end of which the group handed over the 91 “Operation Shoebox” Care Packages, they had brought from home, to a local orphanage.

After what was a truly memorable day, the group headed back to the hotel to prepare for a night out for some more local cuisine and culture. Unsurprisingly, Day 5 was a day of rest but there was a chance to visit the thermal baths in Budapest and take in some therapy of a more retail nature, for gifts and souvenirs – and that was enough excitement for one day!

After a day of rest on Day 5, the next leg was the long drive from Budapest to Salzburg. The day was spent mostly behind the wheel with a brief stop for lunch. The weather was quite a challenge today as it changed constantly from hot and sunny to wet and stormy and this made driving around the twisty Austrian roads quite tricky in places. However, the scenery was stunning, as the convoy snaked on, with hills, mountains and tiny picturesque villages to take in along the way.

Eventually, the group arrived at their overnight hotel more than ready for bed but excited about the following day’s trip to Trento, in Italy, via the Grossglockener mountain which is the second highest mountain in Alps and a car trip just isn’t complete without a hairy mountain pass or two.

As Day 7 unfolded it was clear that the drive to Trento, from Salzburg, was going to be stunning. The weather was absolutely perfect and the roads a dream to drive on and for mile after mile, the scenery was simply breath-taking.

On Day 8 the Rally for Heroes group set off from Trento in Italy really excited about the day ahead. Today’s drive would take them to Davos in Switzerland, via the Stelvio Pass! The pass is famous for some of the most winding roads in Europe, testing the mettle of even the most experienced and adventurous drivers.

Along the way there was so much glorious scenery to take in – chocolate box picture houses and steep forested slopes. The terrain grew higher and so did the expectations of the drivers – but there was a bit of a hold-up before the group could get going – no-one knew why – possibly a build up of traffic on the Pass feeling a bit “ginger” before plunging down the side of really steep mountain. However, finally, it was all systems go and the twists and turns didn’t disappoint. A cracking day was had by all (including the passengers) with the group enjoying the challenge and the experience in equal measure. 

When the cars finally arrived in Davos, they were greeted by the magnificent site of their hotel for the night, the Alpen Hotel in Davos – a futuristic styled gold building and, as Jon described it “..it looks like it’s designed from a Faberge egg!” . Well, after such a drive, a bit of luxury and style was just what the doctor ordered.

Time flies and, in the case of the Rally for Heroes, the days have certainly done just that! It’s Day 9 already and after the Group’s stay in the quirky Alpen Hotel, it was time to wend their way back towards France and their next destination, Chamonix.

After the hair-raising Stelvio Pass, the group were to be treated to another of the Alpine Passes, the San Bernadino Pass – not quite as steep but spectacular nonetheless. With more breath-taking vistas (and some rather strange locals) to marvel at, it was another sensational day at the wheel and a well-earned rest at yet another whacky hotel in Chamonix, the Hotel Alpina was most welcome.

1st thing we need to do is find the IPv4 address of the machine. So from the control panel of the machine go to the Menu screen if isn’t open already and press Utility

Next go to Device Information and find the IPv4 Address e.g. 192.168.6.67

Next step is to type that address in to the address bar of a Web Browser, once that has loaded go to Store Address

Next under Address Book click New Registration

Next make sure email has been chose as the destination and fill in the relevant info then click OK to save

That’s it your done!

From time to time you may need to reset an error code or if a tray shuts down (goes missing from the screen) or if generally the MFD is being a bit buggy.

The steps to do a Trouble Reset are very straight forward and are the same for most of the Olivetti Colour MFDs (Konica Minolta based machines).

Step One. Locate the main switch, this will be behind the front door near the waste toner. Then turn the machine off!

Step Two. Whilst holding down the yellow reset button on the machines control panel turn the power back. Keep the reset key held down!

Step Three. Wait for the machine to boot up and the screen goes white and says Trouble Reset in the center of the screen.

Step Four. Press the screen where it says Trouble Reset, it should now say OK

Step Five. Turn power off at main switch again and wait for 5-6 seconds or until all the lights have gone out on the machine. Now turn the machine back on.

Your machine should now be reset and in most cases now be working again. Should the problem persist then call for an engineer to sort out whatever issue you may be getting.

Elmdale Maintenance – 01189821444

Please see below instructions for printing on to C5 envelopes from Word to the Olivetti MF3300

First set up the machines as per below (this is assuming you are using the same style envelopes as us)

Insert Envelope in to bypass, push down on plate first otherwise the machine won’t recognise the paper in the tray.

From the copy screen select Paper then the bypass (little hand) then Change Tray Settings

Select Envelope from the paper type menu then select Custom Size

Input the exact size of the envelope including any overhang for the flap if there is one in the X & Y coordinates

Press OK until back out to the main copy screen

Next in Word select Mailings then Envelopes

Type Address and then open Options…

Set Envelope size to Custom size then input the same dimensions as at the copier but in cm rather than mm

Then Adjust the location of the Delivery Address with the From left & From top fields otherwise it will be printed at the bottom of the envelope

Then go to the Printing options tab and set the options as per the image below

Click OK then click print on the next screen

This should then print – Please note you do not need to put any settings in the print driver before you do this. Leave it on its current settings or this will not work.

If you need any more info or support the call 0118 982 1444 and speak to someone in our service team

On a colour Olivetti MFD it is now quite easy to copy settings like the Address book from one machine to another. This function is available on all the current range from the MF3301 through to the MF752Plus and has been available since the MF222 came out a few years ago. It is found in the Administrator menu, but has to be enabled by your service rep first. We make it a part of our PDI process because it speeds up the installation when upgrading machines to the latest model or when we install multiple machines to one site.

First insert a USB memory stick in to the slot below control panel

Go To Menu, Utility, Administrator Settings – password is 12345678

Then go to screen to in the Administrator Settings by using the forward button, then press External Memory Backup

Select Export, then Address Book, then Password – set the password to 12345678

OK, then Start to begin the export process

Once exported take the USB memory to another machine and repeat the process but choose Import to add the address book on to that machine. Once it has finished the machine will ask you to restart, open the front cover and use the main switch to restart the machine – allow 10 seconds for the machine to power down fully before switching back on.

Should you need anymore help then please contact Elmdale Group on 0118921444

This will work on any Olivetti or Konica Minolta based colour MFD that has a booklet folding unit in the Finisher. These are Instructions for printing on to a Card/Thick cover and  getting it folded and NOT having the print rub off or smear. This will work if you just want to do a 4 page (1 sheet of thick paper) Booklet or add a thick cover to booklet. It is important to only tell the machine it has thick paper in the machine and not select thick in the print driver.

Please see below on how to print on to thick paper/card and fold etc.

1. Log in to machine and select copy screen
2. Place card in bypass, a window should pop up on the display.
3. Select thick 1 or thick 2 – do not select thick 3 as this will not work with these settings.
4. From your computer, go to print and select printer properties

5. Under Basic, change Paper Tray to Tray 1 – you won’t be using this if it is a 4 page booklet.

6. Next go to Layout and select Booklet under Print Type.

7. Next go to Finish and select Center Staple & Fold or Half Fold, both will work

8. Next go to Cover Mode, turn on Front Cover, select Print and select Bypass Tray as the source.

9. Next Click OK then click print

It should then print out from the bypass tray and the print should not get smeared.

Should you need any further help then please contact Elmdale Maintenance on 01189821444

From time to time the colours on most Olivetti colour MFDs will wander and go darker or richer, if this happens it is a simple process to get the machine to set itself back up again. You can print out Gradation sheets and the machine will read them from the glass and adjust itself back to the correct levels.

Below I’ve detailed how to set your machines colours back up. This will work for older machines as well with the current range like the MF452 etc.

On older machines press the button marked Utility/Counter, on newer machines press the Menu button and then select Utility on the screen.

Next select Administrator Settings, enter the password 12345678 then select OK

Next select System Settings, then Expert Adjustment, then Gradation Adjustment.

The screen should show Image Stabilization Only and the Print button will be lit up blue, press the print key to allow the machine to read its levels and stabalize ready for the adjustments in the next step.

Once it has finished stabilizing the print & copy buttons should be available, select print then choose A3 if you have this type of paper in the machine and press start to print off the Gradation Sheet for measuring. The machine will tell you which way to place the sheet on the copy board glass, don’t worry if you haven’t got A3 paper in the machine, you can choose A4 and it will print 2 sheets for measuring instead.

Next place the sheet(s) on the copyboard glass like a normal photocopy, close the lid then press the print key to start the measurement process. When it has finished it will go back to the screen before. Select Print again and repeat the process 2 more times. Then repeat the same process for the copy setting.

Once you have read the patterns 3 times for the print & copy settings then you are done! You can press close until you get back to the normal copy screen.

Your machine should now be back to normal, if you need any more info or the machine still isn’t producing the colour you normally expect then call Elmdale Maintenance on 01189821444.

How to Create & Use a LetterHead Overlay In An Olivetti Colour MFD Print Driver

You first need to create the Letterhead to use as the host image in a program such as Word or a design package such as In-Design.

Next with that file open you need to bring up the print dialogue for the Olivetti MFD, you can do this by selecting print and then selecting properties. Be careful not to press Quick Print as this will not work.

Once the printer properties has been opened go to the stamp/composition tab and select create host image, then OK.

Then print the document as you would normally, this will then ask you where you want to save the file. You can save this locally or in a network location, I would recommend saving it in a network location if you want this available for several users on different computers.

If you are saving this locally on the machine you have created the host image on then the driver automatically remembers where the image is. You can test this by opening a letter and then going in to the printer properties and under the stamp/composition tab selecting print host image, the KFO file should show up like below.

Defaulting The Print Driver To Use a Host Image From a Network Location

First locate the print driver under devices & printers on your computer, then right click and select printer properties.

Go to stamp/composition like before and select print host image, click on edit

Next click Browse files….

Then enter the UNC path (e.g. \\yourservername\folder\letterhead.KFO) to the file or use the browse function to locate the file and click open.

This should look something like below, you can also set if you want the letterhead to print on the 1st page or all pages. Most users just need it on the first page, especially if they are printing 2 Sided and want the second page on the reverse.

This will now use the letterhead image from the network location, I would recommend using this option if you need this on a number of computers. Especially if you need to update the file as it will automatically update on all the computers.

You may also want to have a designated print driver that is defaulted to print the letter head.

If you need any more info or help with setting this up then contact Elmdale Maintenance Ltd on 0118 982 1444