There are real problems in these areas. Connection of government local and wide area networks to the Internet or to a modem for external access increases the security risk to the organisation from hackers as well as other parties who might deliberately set out to access sensitive information. You will all be aware of attempts to penetrate government and other computing systems around the world and the denial of service attacks that have swamped some systems. ASIO is one of the agencies addressing these threats through the National Information Infrastructure program. How many of you have photocopiers in your organisations that are connected to the telephone system and automatically call for a technician when servicing is required.
Some printers now have their own processor chip.
Potentially these too could transmit information about documents printed to an unauthorised third party. Alarm systems and electronic access control systems are in relatively common use in government departments and agencies. The government Type 1 Security Alarm Systems, while now about 10 years old, still provide a level of protection against a knowledgeable technical attack from both outside and inside the organisation which is unmatched in most commercial systems. Its use for the protection of classified and highly sensitive government material is strongly recommended. Electronic access control systems come in different shapes and sizes and need to be tailored to individual agency requirements.