The use of such equipment can serve to significantly lower the overall costs associated with an imaging system. The ability to output document images to fax may also be desired. As previously noted, the ability to output images to other nodes along a local area network may or may not be appropriate depending on environmental and financial constraints. The use of document imaging for records management raises a number of issues which must be considered in the design and implementation of information systems. The security of information in digital form is one such consideration.
Security involves both data security and data integrity.
Data security limits limits the uses of records to legitimate organizational purposes. Access restrictions may be required in order to insure data security. Access in networks may involve the use of authentication to enforce varying degrees of access. Networked access to document images should be as exclusive as possible to safeguard data security. This is particularly the case where sensitive personal information such as human resources and patient care information is involved.