BANK tech-trends News
 

 October 20 - October 24, 2008

• Hardware News
• Software Updates
• ATMs/Kiosks
• Biometric Digest Highlights
• Wireless World
• Security Section
• Leaders Roundtable
• Technology and Marketing
• Online Banking/E-Commerce/
  Website Design
• Internet Access
• Call Centers

Hardware News

Dell introduced the PowerVault DL2000, an appliance built on its PowerVault storage platform – it includes either CommVault Simpana or Symantec Backup Exec data protection software. Dell claims that the appliance offers 55% faster backups and 77% faster restores than tape backup. The system offers up to 144TB of disk space, and is aimed at small to medium-sized organizations. As an option, customers can have a PowerVault TL2000, TL4000 or ML6000 Tape Library added on for long-term archiving. 

Epson has introduced the GT-S80, a high-quality page scanner targeted at financial institutions. Epson’s GT-S80 scans both sides of a document in just one pass at speeds up to 40 pages per minute. It also uses a lower power, energy-efficient light source that enables immediate scanning, with no warm up time required. The GT-S80 joins Epson’s CaptureOne desktop check scanner, plus their scanner driver offers many functions, including automatic paper size reduction, automatic hole punch removal, automatic de-skewing and automatic background color removal.

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ATMs/Kiosks

NCR unveiled the NCR SelfServ 60 kiosk which is designed to provide an interactive experience for the user. The NCR SelfServe 60 replaces the EasyPoint 42 and utilizes Intel vPro technology. Deployers can choose from a number of configuration, mounting and design options, as well as brand color and logos. It features “out-of-band” manageability and serviceability — meaning diagnostics can be accomplished remotely. By partnering with Experticity, the kiosks permit customers to speak one-on-one with customer service representatives in remote locations. 

ATM scammers are taking skimming to new heights with their latest device: an ATM skimmer capable of automatically texting complete card details to the criminal. Starting from $8,500 and capable of sending 1,856 SMS messages — processed card details — without any charging, the introduction of built-in SMS notification, and the ability to “call the ATM skimmer” in order to retrieve the information, is unfortunately a major milestone for an ATM skimming device.

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Cherry Electrical Products has launched the M-4200 FingerTIP ID mouse, which incorporates sophisticated biometrics technology to enable users to log on to their PC or laptop machine using their own fingerprint as identification. The sensor reads each user’s fingerprint and can match it with fingertip identification records stored on the mouse itself, as the device has its own memory. Cherry says that this provides a much greater level of security than matching to records stored on the PC, as the templates on the mouse cannot be readily accessed.

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Security researchers from Georgia Tech say that the growing power of cell phones opens a new avenue of attack for criminals. Of particular concern is that as cell phones get more computing power and better Internet connections, hackers can capitalize on vulnerabilities in mobile-phone operating systems or Web applications. The Georgia Tech researchers believe a big appeal of mobile devices for criminals is that they are generally always on, they are sending and receiving more data, and they typically have poor security. They also note that antivirus software uses precious space on the device, as well as critical battery power. However, researchers admit that they have very little hard evidence that hackers are already targeting mobile phones. 

According to a poll by Javelin Research, active mobile bankers have completed recent transactions via text-banking (48%) more of than via a browser (43%) or downloadable application (39%). In terms of SMS alerting, the poll revealed that SMS alerts should be tailored to address time-sensitive and immediate informational needs, and that about 57% of all consumers said they would like to be notified of a large withdrawal or purchase via SMS.

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According to a recent survey by Cyber-Ark Software, as many as 88% percent of IT administrators, if laid off tomorrow, would take sensitive company information with them. Such information includes high-level and privileged passwords, customer databases, R & D plans, financial reports, HR records, etc. Privileged password lists are particularly problematical, as they provide the keys to unlock access to information residing on networks. And of the group that said that they would abscond with information, one-third stated that they would take the privileged password lists. 

Nevada is at the forefront of states that are passing laws requiring businesses – even small businesses – to encrypt customer data. While there are several laws that direct organizations in certain industries to consider using encryption and laws that make encryption a factor in decisions regarding breach notifications, no law required the encryption of personal information prior to this Nevada law. Starting in January, Massachusetts will require businesses that collect information about that state’s residents to encrypt sensitive data stored on laptop computers and other portable devices. Michigan and Washington state are considering similar regulations. 

An RSA survey of executives - principally IT people and customers of the financial services industry - revealed that more than 90 percent of those surveyed said that they are familiar with their company’s security policies. However, some 53 percent said they feel they "need to work around [their] company's security policies and procedures just to get [their] job done." Examples of security policy breakdowns include: sending business documents to their personal email addresses so that they can access them from home; using public computers to access business email; accessing corporate networks from public WiFi hotspots; and carrying business data home on portable storage media.

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Core Systems:

Core Systems – Collaborating to Better Serve Customers

COCC - http://www.cocc.com Read Joe Trafton's comments: http://www.banktt.com/roundtable/COCC.pdf

Fidelity Information Services - http://www.fidelityinfoservices.com Read John Schooler's comments: http://www.banktt.com/roundtable/FIS.pdf

Open Solutions - http://www.opensolutions.com Read Michael Nicastro's comments: http://www.banktt.com/roundtable/OSI.pdf

Software and Management Associates - http://www.smausa.com Read Michael W. Taylor's comments: http://www.banktt.com/roundtable/SMA.pdf

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A new report from Aite Group identifies the checking-account features consumers consider the most important, the types of accounts they select, and which banks consumers choose when they research checking accounts online. Somewhat surprisingly, 'free' checking accounts were not the type of accounts most frequently selected online. The research firm suggest that banks focus attention on other attributes that customers find valuable, such as overdraft protection or offering interest-bearing checking accounts.

According to a survey by the JumpStart Coalition for Financial Literacy, about 53% of high school students have a debit card, up from 35.9% in 2002. Meanwhile, only about 35% use a credit card, up only slightly from 32% in 2002.

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Fairfax, VA-based CGI Group has launched Web Promises, a Web agent that organizations can integrate into existing collections system to facilitate 24/7 agentless collection activity, including most aspects of debt negotiations, commitments, payments and settlements. The tool allows consumers to resolve any delinquency in self-service mode and on their schedule.

Portland, OR-based Vidoop announced their new suite of multi-factor online authentication technologies. Vidoop's 'ImageShield' replaces the traditional password field with an array of photos that are different with every login. When the ImageShield is presented, the online banker selects the images that fit pre-selected secret categories. Vidoop says that the ImageShield even provides advertisers the opportunity to sponsor images within certain categories. The user can also be contacted by up to two off-line authentication methods. banks can elect to have one-time passwords sent to a customer's cell phone or to have a confirmation by voice for a two-factor authentication.

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Internet Access

Aspect announced the launch of a new professional services and systems integration practice. This program is designed to assist organizations with the planning, implementation and support of Unified Communications solutions. Earlier this year, Aspect and Microsoft announced a strategic alliance. To support this new alliance, the UC services practice will assist organizations in deploying Microsoft Office Communications Server (OCS) and other Microsoft UC applications from planning through implementation. 

Covad Communications has unveiled a new Covad Integrated Access service, an all-in-one phone and Internet service for businesses with up to 35 employees per location, delivered over a T1 connection. Covad says the new offer is built on Session Initiation Protocol trunking and supports a wide range of IP, digital and analog phone systems. Pricing start as low as $435 per month with no installation fees, depending upon contract length and services ordered, Covad says. The new service automatically allocates bandwidth dynamically to ensure prioritized voice quality.

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Call Centers

Echopass Corporation, a provider of hosted contact center services, says that their service can cut the average duration of inbound customer service phones calls by 40% and help reach a first-call resolution rate of 95%. Echopass credits their sophisticated agent routing and a unique computer “screen pop” as driving factors. The screen pop displays key caller data to contact center agents instantly as they answer the call. Customers pay monthly only for the Echopass services and number of agents using their technology, which they can easily increase or decrease to fit their changing business needs.

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