Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. (Konica Minolta) is pleased to announce it has received two 2023 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards from American Security Today (AST).

For the Konica Minolta Advanced Authentication Manager (AAM) solution, the company was awarded Platinum in ‘Best Access Control and Authentication System’ and ‘Best Biometric Reader Solution categories.’

American Security Today’s Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program.

Now in its ninth year, it continues to recognize industry leaders in physical and border security, cybersecurity, emergency preparedness management and response, law enforcement, first responders, and federal, state, and municipal government agencies for their outstanding efforts to keep our nation secure.

The program is strategically designed to honor distinguished government and vendor solutions that deliver enhanced value, benefit, and intelligence to end users in various government, homeland security, and public safety vertical markets.

Konica Minolta’s AAM solution utilizes user biometric identification rather than passwords or potentially insecure IC cards for print management applications running on Konica Minolta bizhub devices.

Using its AAM solution, Konica Minolta eliminates common issues such as password fatigue and poor password hygiene that often lead to security breaches.

(The need to prevent unauthorized access to secure documents held in print management applications has increased due to duplicate IC card authentication and password sharing. See how Konica Minolta’s AAM solution utilizes user biometric identification for print management applications running on Konica Minolta bizhub devices. Courtesy of KoncaMinoltaUS and YouTube.)

No biometric data is stored in the fingerprint reader, on the MFP, or within the AAM server. In addition, it provides functions such as device management and user management required for maintaining security.

“We are honored to be recognized by American Security Today’s 2023 ‘ASTORS’ Awards for our ability to prevent unauthorized access to secure documents held in print management applications through our Advanced Authentication Manager solution,” explained Chris Bilello, Vice President, Business Solutions Development, Konica Minolta.

“People are experiencing password fatigue.”

“Many users in the workforce feel they have too many passwords to remember, and admittedly use the same password or simple variations of a single password, a leading cause of company data breaches.”

“Our solution helps customers who use Konica Minolta MFP’s to prevent more of these breaches, and we are extremely pleased to have our work acknowledged by such a prestigious organization.”

“The ‘ASTORS’ nominations are evaluated on their technical innovation, interoperability, specific impact within the category, overall impact to the industry, relatability to other industry technologies, and application feasibility outside of the industry,” said Tammy Waitt, Co-founder and Editorial Director at American Security Today.

“As the nation continues to respond to escalating threats from home and abroad, the innovative solutions being implemented to meet those threats has led to tremendous growth in the field of Homeland Security,” added Michael Madsen, Co-founder and Publisher of American Security Today.

“Today, the United States is increasingly focusing on protecting IT/cyber security networks, and is calling on innovative companies like Konica Minolta to help them do so.”

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A.’s journey started 150 years ago with a vision to see and do things differently. The company innovates for the good of society and the world.

The same purpose that started it rolling then keeps it moving now. Konica Minolta aims to partner with clients to Give Shape to Ideas by supporting their digital transformation through its expansive Intelligent Connected Workplace portfolio.

Its business technology offerings include IT Services, intelligent information management, video security solutions, managed print services, office technology, and industrial and commercial print solutions.

Through its ongoing work, Konica Minolta is fortunate to be continuously recognized for its products and services. This includes, CRN’s MSP 500 list numerous times; named a finalist in the IT Software Category by The World Technology Awards; recognized as the #1 Brand for Customer Loyalty in the MFP Office Copier Market by Brand Keys and being presented with Keypoint Intelligence’s BLI 2021 A3 Line of The Year and BLI 2021-2023 Most Color Consistent A3 Brand Awards for its bizhub i-Series.

To learn more about Konica Minolta’s print security solutions, please visit konicaminolta.us/solutions-services//print-management.

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. Takes Double Platinum in 2023 ‘ASTORS’ Awards

American Security Today’s Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards, the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security, Public Safety, and Government Excellence Awards Program, now entering its Ninth Year, recognizes industry leaders of Physical and Border Security, Cybersecurity, Emergency Preparedness – Management and Response, Law Enforcement, First Responders as well as federal, state and municipal government agencies in the acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to Keep our Nation Secure.

KONICA MINOLTA Business Solutions (First of Two)

Best IT Access Control & Authentication Solution

• Advanced Authentication Manager (AAM)

• Security is at the forefront for many clients, and the ability to prevent unauthorized access to secure documents held in print management applications has increased due to duplicate IC card authentications.

• When this occurs, a user swipes their Integrated Circuit (IC) card at a Multi-Function Printer (MFP) and logs in as a different user, allowing them unauthorized access to secure documents, resulting in a security breach.

• Advanced Authentication Manager (AAM) provides authentication solutions that utilize user biometric identification rather than the standard passwords or IC cards for print management applications running on Konica Minolta Bizhub devices. No biometric data is stored in the fingerprint reader, on the MFP, or within the AAM server.

KONICA MINOLTA Business Solutions (Second of Two)

Best Biometric Reader Solution

• Advanced Authentication Manager (AAM)

• Konica’s Advanced Authentication Manager (AAM) provides functions such as device and user management required to maintain security.

• This functionality is supported for customers requesting both fingerprint and standard IC cards on the same MFP and can be used as a transition phase.

• According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) 2022 study, “The Future of Biometrics in the Workplace,” 60 percent of consumers feel they have too many passwords to remember, and 41 percent admit to using the same password or simple variations of a single password – and poor password hygiene is responsible for as many as 81 percent of company data breaches.

(Due to duplicate IC card authentication and password sharing, the need to prevent unauthorized access to secure documents held in print management applications has increased. Advanced Authentication Manager provides authentication solutions that utilize user biometric identification rather than the standard passwords or IC cards for print management applications running on Konica Minolta Bizhub devices. Courtesy of KonicaMinoltaUS and YouTube.) 

• Konica’s Advanced Authentication Manager also provides device and user management functions required to maintain security.

• *Konica Minolta Business Solutions has now been Recognized as an ‘ASTORS’ Awards Champion for its Seventh Consecutive Year in the Annual ‘Homeland Security Awards Program.

Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2024 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.

Comprehensive List of Categories Include:

Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency, or Organization?

Submit your category recommendation to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher, at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.

Homeland Security remains at the forefront of our national conversation as we experience an immigration crisis along our southern border and crime rates that are dramatically higher than before the Pandemic across the United States.

These challenges have become a national priority with an influx of investments in innovative new technologies and systems.

Enter American Security Today, the #1 publication and media platform in the Government Security and Homeland Security fields, with a circulation of over 75,000 readers and many tens of thousands more who visit our AST website at www.americansecuritytoday.com each month.

The pinnacle of the Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is the Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Ceremony Luncheon Banquet, an exclusive, full-course plated meal event in the heart of New York City.

The continually evolving ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security, Public Safety, and Government Excellence Awards Program will highlight the trail of Accomplished Women in Leadership in 2024.

So be on the lookout for exciting upcoming announcements of Speakers, Presenters, Book Signing Opportunities, and Attendees at the 2024 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon in November of 2024 in New York City!

In 2023, this exclusive sold-out event featured at ISC East, well over two hundred representatives of law enforcement, public safety, and industry leaders came together to honor the selfless service of those who stand on the front lines – and those who stand beside them – providing the capabilities and technologies to create a safer world for future generations.

Comprehensive collaborations between these private and public sectors have led to the development of innovative intelligence and technologies that serve to protect our Nation.

Steven Dettelbach, Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms (ATF) and Explosives, delivered the keynote address at the 2023 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security and Excellence in Public Safety Awards Ceremony and Banquet Luncheon.

Director Dettelbach spoke with passion on the epidemic of Gun Violence by Illegal Guns taking place across the United States, which results in over 125 deaths daily and impacting generations of families – leaving open chairs at holiday events.

Firearm injuries were the leading case of death for children for the third year in a row, he explained, and have doubled in the U.S. since 2021, levels that are simply intolerable.

Director Dettelbach lauded the strong partnerships with Federal, State, Local, and Tribal Policing that ATF has earned and relies upon to reduce violence and spoke with admiration as a former prosecutor on the selfless sense of mission and drive that is universal across the entire First Responder Community.

The prestigious Annual ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program highlights the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.

The ‘ASTORS’ was specifically designed to honor distinguished government and vendor solutions that deliver enhanced value, benefit, and intelligence to end-users in a variety of government, homeland security, enterprise, and public safety vertical markets.

(See a few highlights during the 2023 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security and Government Excellence Awards Ceremony and Banquet Luncheon in NYC during ISC East on November 16, 2023. Courtesy of AST, My Pristine Images, and Vimeo.)

AST puts forward the Largest and Most Qualified Circulation in Government with Over 75,000 readers on the Federal, State and Local levels.

AST Digital Publications are distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals in federal, state, local, and private security sectors.

‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’

AST Reaches Private and public Experts, essential to meeting these new challenges.

Today’s new generation of public safety and security experts need real-time knowledge to deal with domestic and international terrorism, lone wolf attacks, unprecedented urban violence, shifts in society, culture, and media bias – making it increasingly difficult for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security Professionals to implement coordinated security measures to ensure national security and improve public safety.

These experts are from the Government at the federal, state, and local levels, as well as from private firms allied to the government.

AST provides a full plate of topics in our AST Monthly Magazine Editions, AST Website, and AST Daily News Alerts, covering 23 Vital Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities, and Emergency Response among others.

AST has Expanded readership into integral Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants and Dams, Bridges and Tunnels, and other potential targets of terrorism.

Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting and Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools and Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – all enticing targets due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.

To learn more about ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winners solutions, Be On the LookOut for the 2023 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS Edition Fully Interactive Magazine – the Best Products of 2023 ‘A Year in Review.’

The Annual CHAMPIONS edition reviews ‘ASTORS’ Award Winning products and programs, highlighting key details on many of the winning firm’s products and services, including video interviews and more.

It will serve as your Go-To Source throughout the year for ‘The Best of 2023 Products and Services’ endorsed by American Security Today and can satisfy your agency’s and/or organization’s most pressing Homeland Security and Public Safety needs.

From Physical Security (Access Control, Critical Infrastructure, Perimeter Protection, and Video Surveillance Cameras and Video Management Systems), to IT Security (Cybersecurity, Encryption, Data Storage, Anti-Malware, and Networking Security – to name a few), the 2023 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS EDITION will have WHAT YOU NEED to Detect, Delay, Respond to, and Mitigate today’s real-time threats in our constantly evolving security landscape.

It will also include featured guest editorial pieces from some of the security industry’s most respected leaders and recognized firms in the 2023 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.

For more information on All Things American Security Today, as well as the 2024 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, please contact Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.

AST strives to meet a 3 STAR trustworthiness rating, based on the following criteria:

• Provides named sources
• Reported by more than one notable outlet
• Includes supporting video, direct statements, or photos

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