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General
News
* Global Hauri Wins "The Best of RetailVision Awards"
* IPLocks Partners with BMC Software
* Global Axcess Unveils Pre-Paid Debit Card Program
* Kenexa Signs Kinecta Federal Credit Union
Global Hauri, publisher of ViRobot antivirus software, announced that ViRobot was awarded the "Best Product -- Software" at RetailVision Spring 2004 in Palm Springs, CA. "The "Best of RetailVision Awards" honors excellence in product innovation, channel strategy, and presentation. Global Hauri takes a proactive approach to policies and methods of malware infected systems. ViRobot antivirus engine is unique in its ability to not simply isolate viruses, but to destroy them on the fly without requiring a separate cleaning utility. It also prevents re-infection by real-time eradication.
IPLocks, a provider of database vulnerability assessment and continuous risk monitoring systems, announced that BMC Software, a leading provider of enterprise management solutions, selected the IPLocks database security and auditing analysis technology to complement its SmartDBA data management solutions. BMC Software will resell the IPLocks technology under the name Database Security Management by IPLocks as an integral part of its SmartDBA offering to customers around the world.
Global Axcess Corp., a company engaged in network-based electronic commerce and transaction processing, unveiled its new, proprietary, payroll management program, EasyGreen. The EasyGreen program offers stored value, prepaid debit cards (EasyGreen Cash Card) and related products and services to financial service provider partners and employers and their employees as an electronic payroll card solution.
Kenexa, a global leader in comprehensive human resource solutions, announced that Kinecta Federal Credit Union has selected Kenexa Recruiter to automate its recruiting processes. Prior to selecting Kenexa Recruiter, Kinecta's in-house recruiting process was paper-based. Kenexa Recruiter will enable Kinecta to simplify the recruiting process by eliminating unqualified resumes before Kinecta reviews them.
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Hardware
News
When CDs and DVDs first arrived in 1982 and 1997 respectively, the general understanding from manufacturers was that tape was done. After all, tape, while reliable, is slow and degrades over time. Yet tape backups are still prevalent. Iomega is one company that is hoping that small businesses will get rid of their tape backups and adopt its removable hard drive based REV system. The 35 gigabyte hard drive connects via a USB 2.0 cable and the spindle speed is 7,200RPM - meaning data transfer is fast and efficient. Iomega’s own backup solution is included in the box - Automatic Backup Pro and a specialized version of Symantec’s Norton Ghost designed specifically for the REV drive.
While hard drive backups are growing in popularity, tape technology still moves forward. In the low-end segment, the trend in the tape streamer market is now increasingly moving towards autoloaders (e.g., ValueLoader by Quantum for DLT and LTO and 8-mm tapes). Autoloaders can simultaneously handle several tapes, rotating them according to a set pattern. Installed in a 19-inch cabinet, users get a reliable and clean solution, currently available for only a few thousand dollars.
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Software
Updates
Freeware and shareware can be a blessing for CU network managers on a tight budget. In the June issue of Credit Union tech-talk we will tell you about some free/low cost software applications that can help protect and manage networks, and improve performance - subscribe today.
One freeware utility that may be useful at your CU is a program for burning CDs and DVDs - it is available at:
http://www.deepburner.com. Windows XP has built-in CDR burner software, but it can't yet burn DVDs on its own; and earlier versions of windows can't burn anything without extra software. The usual commercial choices - Nero and Roxio - not only require payment, but their software is rather large due to all of the many add-ins and extras they include. In contrast, Deepburner doesn't try to do everything - it tries to do a few things very well.
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ATMs/Kiosks
Union Square Federal Credit Union has signed a five-year contract with Ventus Networks to provide a new cellular transport service designed for ATMs and other transactional devices. The arrangement includes wireless connectivity, network monitoring and maintenance for a network of Texas ATMs. Union Square Federal Credit Union is the first financial institution in North America to convert its ATM network to cellular. Ventus Networks' high-speed cellular transport solution works in conjunction with TCP/IP and legacy protocols, enabling any remote device to communicate through a single network scheme. Cellular transport operates over a private cellular (800 MHz) and PCS (1900 MHz) infrastructure.
A Charleston, WV-based bank is using their ATM receipts to deliver discounts on oil changes, sandwiches, or merchandise at local retailers. The coupons are being offered by City National Bank to both their customers and to non-customers. The coupons serve to encourage greater use of its ATMs among customers, support local merchants and help make the non-customer surcharges more palatable.
Co-Op Network has reached an agreement with WesCorp and its Pacific Operations Division to become partners in serving 27 credit unions located throughout the Hawaiian Islands and Guam. Co-Op Network has deployed 41 ATMs throughout Hawaii since 2001. The WesCorp partnership brings 39 more into their nationwide surcharge-free network of 18,000 ATMs.
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Canada plans to spend $10 million on facial biometrics – the method of identification chosen by the International Civil Aviation Organization to harmonize passport information globally. The technology involves three components: a camera or "reader" to capture the person's image, computer chips embedded in passports to carry information (name, birth date, and passport number) about the passport holder and a database to verify the passport's authenticity along with that of its bearer.
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Wireless
World
As issues such as security and roaming start to be solved, wireless LANs are moving toward greater integration with enterprise networks. Wireless is now set to work its way into Cisco Systems' LAN flagship, the Catalyst 6500 switch. This represents the latest steps in the rollout of the Cisco Structured Wireless-Aware Network (SWAN), the networking giant's wireless LAN vision. Learn more about this new solution and Cisco's wireless plans in the June issue - subscribe and stay on top of new wireless technology.
The Federal Communications Commission just announced the creation of a wireless broadband access task force to help craft policies for fostering deployment of high-speed wireless Internet services in the United States. This follows on the heels of a proposed rule change that would benefit the wireless delivery of broadband services. The proposed change would make more room in the electromagnetic spectrum for unlicensed devices by allowing them to operate in the 3,650MHz band at higher power levels than were previously allowed. Proponents of wireless broadband believe that these changes are great moves for the FCC, not only because broadband Internet access is a vital and productive service but also because establishing unlicensed space in which devices may operate is a proven means of encouraging innovation and growth.
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Security
Section
An internal security awareness program aims to make all the employees understand and appreciate not only the value of the credit union's information assets but also the consequences in case these assets are compromised. In theory, the process is straightforward and painless; but as every IT/security manager knows, in real life, an awareness program can be a real headache. In the June issue of Credit Union tech-talk we will give you some tips and, simple yet often overlooked, strategies for developing and implementing a security awareness program at your CU - subscribe today.
Antivirus-technology companies Network Associates and Check Point Software just co-released an automated Internet and desktop security package designed for small businesses. The system, which will be known as Secure-1 and sold as part of Network Associates' McAfee product line, combines one of Check Point's high-speed security appliances with McAfee's existing VirusScan ASaP virus protection service. The companies claim the package will help smaller companies streamline antivirus security systems by providing automated and managed Internet gateway and desktop protection.
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Leaders
Roundtable
CU
SECURITY... ESTABLISHING A PROACTIVE APPROACH
This
Leaders Forum provides you with the opportunity to
hear from C-level executives from some of the
world’s leading and most experienced security
companies. Also, don't miss networking with these
security industry leaders in person at the 2004
InfoSecurity Conference May 13 - 14th in Las
Vegas, where they will be together for a live two
hour panel discussion. (To register: http://www.cunews.com/infosec.htm)
- Blue Lance - http://www.bluelance.com
Read Tommy Cathey's comments: http://www.cunews.com/roundtable/BlueLance.pdf
- Cavion Plus - http://www.cavionplus.com
Read Jeff Marshall's comments: http://www.cunews.com/roundtable/CavionPlus.pdf
- ECCT - http://www.ecct.net
Read Bud Heege's comments: http://www.cunews.com/roundtable/ECCT.pdf
- FRAUDetect - http://www.bankdetect.com
Read Bob Cofod's comments: http://www.cunews.com/roundtable/FRAUDetect.pdf
- IPLocks - http://www.iplocks.com
Read George Csaba's comments: http://www.cunews.com/roundtable/IPLocks.pdf
- nCircle Network Security - http://www.ncircle.com
Read Fred Kost's comments: http://www.cunews.com/roundtable/nCircle.pdf
- Perimeter Internetworking - http://www.perimeterco.com
Read Brad Miller's comments: http://www.cunews.com/roundtable/Perimeter.pdf
- Polivec - http://www.polivec.com
Read Mark Azzolina's comments:- http://www.cunews.com/roundtable/Polivec.pdf
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Qualys - http://www.qualys.com
Read Gerhard Eschelbeck's comments: http://www.cunews.com/roundtable/Qualys.pdf
- Razorwire Security - http://www.rzwire.com
Read S. Ramesh's comments: http://www.cunews.com/roundtable/Razorwire.pdf
- Secure20 - http://www.secure20.com
Read Michael Harris' comments: http://www.cunews.com/roundtable/Secure20.pdf
- SecureWorks - http://www.secureworks.com
Read Jon Ramsey's comments: http://www.cunews.com/roundtable/SecureWorks.pdf
- TruSecure - http://www.trusecure.com
Read Marne Gordan's comments: http://www.cunews.com/roundtable/TruSecure.pdf
- WesCorp Federal Credit Union - http://www.wescorp.org
Read Christofer Hoff's comments: http://www.cunews.com/roundtable/WesCorp.pdf
- WhiteHat Security - http://www.whitehatsec.com
Read William Pennington's comments: http://www.cunews.com/roundtable/WhiteHat.pdf
- Xacta - http://www.xacta.com
Read Michael Flaherty's comments: http://www.cunews.com/roundtable/Xacta.pdf
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Technology
and Marketing
MEMBERS Development Company LLC (MDC), a research and development company owned by credit unions and CUNA Mutual Group, has teamed with customer strategy and solutions consultant Inforte Corp., and technology provider, Onyx Software Corp., to develop a new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solution for credit unions. MDC's Common Model emphasizes strategy development as the critical first step in building a successful CRM program. Onyx was brought in to provide the technology framework that ties the applications, data, and processes together, and arms credit union staff with the information needed to execute a member-intimate approach.
Santa Cruz Community Credit Union has granted $9,000 to five local charities under its Community Visa Program. For every credit or debit card transaction that a member makes, the credit union donates five cents to the member's chosen charity. The credit union made donations of $1,800 to Coastal Watershed Council, Community Bridges and Homeless Garden Project, Open Space Alliance and Resource Center for Nonviolence.
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Online
Banking/E-Commerce/Website Design
Chase Manhattan Bank recently lost the domain name carfinancing.com, which is a nice generic URL that just reeks of business opportunity and can't be contested in a trademark lawsuit. How well are you protecting your domain (s) from expiring? We will give you some guidelines for protecting them in the June issue if Credit Union tech-talk - subscribe today.
The world's largest credit union is now on the free bill payment bandwagon. Navy Federal Credit Union began offering free electronic bill payment services April 30 to members who make at least three payments a month. The free service will apply to both existing users and new users. Members who make fewer than three payments a month will continue to be charged $4.95 a month.
Debit cards are becoming more popular with US consumers and are increasingly replacing the use of cash for purchases under $20, according to a usage study by MasterCard. According to the survey, customers who had debit cards used them for nearly a third (29%) of all their purchases under $20 - a 61% increase since 2001 - while this group's cash payments for the same amount declined by nearly 15%. Half of the cardholders surveyed said debit was "better than other payment methods," including cash and checks, and 41% cited convenience as the primary advantage of the cards.
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Internet
Access
AT&T announced that it has added a new service that will allow companies to securely link offices over an end-to-end Internet Protocol network. Since 1999, the carrier has offered services to connect offices over an IP network using a technology called multiprotocol label switching, or MPLS. But up to this point, customers have only been able to access the network via Frame Relay or ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) links. Now, AT&T will offer a service that uses pure IP or private line connections to link various sites, providing an IP connection end to end. In terms of functionality, the distinction between pure IP access and Frame Relay or ATM access isn't great. But managing pure IP services is much easier; as a result, the new service will be priced lower than AT&T's other services, which require Frame Relay and ATM connections.
According to Sage Research, nearly three-fourths of business calls end up in voice mail, and the average employee wastes the equivalent of a couple of days each month playing telephone tag. Proponents of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) argue that when voice is running over IP networks, it gains the location independence of data and people are better connected. They also say that when an organization embraces IP telephony, the productivity gains for its IT staff are immediate and measurable. Learn more about VoIP in the June issue of Credit Union tech-talk.
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Call
Centers
Click4Talk, a "click-for-talk" technology provider, announced new Internet service technology to link members/customers and call center representatives using a VoIP-based PC2Phone service. Click4Talk enables organizations to offer affordable, instant connections with members/customers via embedded phone-links within websites, e-mails, banners, search results, and Internet advertisements. This service connects PC users to representatives 'live' using only the Internet, a telephone and a computer microphone and speakers/headphones. It links questions and answers through live phone support anywhere in the world, at one low rate. The service offers "do-it-yourself" ease of set-up and popup box customization.
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Conferences
Catch
Tom and Bill Rogers, Associate Editor of Credit Union
tech-talk at the following conferences in
2004:
May 13 - 14, Las Vegas - Credit Union InfoSecurity Conference - Register today:
http://www.cunews.com/infosec.htm
October 6 - 11, Las Vegas, NV – Combined Council of Auto Credit Unions & Firefighter Credit Union Conferences:
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