Document security management for repeatedly reproduced hardcopy of electronic documents

摘要

In a document security management method for controlling document security across multiple domains a domain ID is extracted from a document to be processed at an image forming and reproducing apparatus placed in a first domain. Then, it is determined at a first security server of the first domain whether the document to be processed is controlled in the first domain, based on the extracted domain ID. If the document to be processed is not controlled in the first domain, location information about a second domain that controls the document to be processed is acquired. Then, the image forming and reproducing apparatus accesses a second security server provided in the second domain to confirm permissibility of the processing of the document.