A method for transmitting operating data of machines in the graphics industry is performed via a communications network that is accessible to the public and the operating data is transmitted to at least one management computer that can be reached via the public communications network. The operating data from the machine in the graphics industry is stored in encrypted form in at least one computer assigned to the machine, and the encrypted operating data is transmitted to the management computer via the communications network that is accessible to the public and is stored on the management computer.