Credit Union tech-talk News

January 1 - January 5, 2006

• General News
• 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
• Conferences

* CheckFree to Acquire Carreker
* Motorola Employees CU Signs with Edcomm
* Websense to Acquire PortAuthority Technologies
* ShareOne Adds 5 New CUs

CheckFree Corporation announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Carreker Corporation. Carreker, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is a leading provider of payments technology and consulting services for the financial services industry. 

Schaumberg, IL-based Motorola Employees Credit Union has chosen The Edcomm Group to deliver customized credit union compliance training for its training needs. Motorola was under contract with Compliance Coach, but took advantage of Edcomm’s “Switch for Compliance Excellence” program. "Switch for Compliance Excellence" was developed by Edcomm as a way for credit unions that are currently under contract with a different compliance training vendor to switch to Edcomm's Focus on Compliance course free of charge.

Websense, a leading provider of Web security and Web filtering software, announced a definitive agreement to acquire PortAuthority Technologies, Inc. The planned acquisition will bring together PortAuthority with its information leak prevention technology and Websense with its ThreatSeeker malicious content identification and categorization technology. 

Memphis-based ShareOne announced that they have converted the following five credit unions to their NewSolutions core processing platform from Information Control Systems Inc.: Northwoods Community CU of Park Falls, WI; Whiting Refinery CU of Whiting, IN; Peoples CU of Cudahy, WI; Atchison-Casting CU of Atchison, KS; and Patterson-Kelley Employees CU of East Stroudsburg, PA. 

Hardware News

The testers over at ExtremeTech have rated the Logitech MX Revolution as the 'Best General Mouse.' Aside from its laser sensor, range of up to 30 feet, and longer battery time than most cordless mice, the MX features a scroll wheel that has two modes of operation: line-by-line scrolling and free-spin scrolling. Free-spin scrolling allows the scroll wheel to become a flywheel capable of traversing thousands of spreadsheet rows or hundreds of word-processing pages with a single flick. Other advanced features are the document quick flip wheel (or button), one-button search, and a zoom slider.

If you are looking for the ultimate screen cleaner for your credit union's plasma, LCD and CRT displays, look no further than a cleaning product from Origin Laboratories called Purosol Plasma. Purosol was developed for NASA and the space program as an alternative to solvent-based cleaners that destroy lens coatings, are environmentally dangerous and contribute to health problems. It contains no ammonia, alcohol, glycerin or silicone, and is completely solvent free. The firm claims that 'Purosol quickly disrupts the molecular bonds that salt, grime, grease, dirt and mineral deposits use to adhere to surfaces, leaving your screen clean of dust and glare-free.' 

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ATMs/Kiosks

As skimming devices get smaller and harder to detect physically, ATM manufacturers are turning to more and more sophisticated solutions to battle them. For example, Wincor Nixdorf is fighting fraud on their ATMs with a new anti-skimming device. The Anti-Skimming Sensor Device which will provide ATMs with electromagnetic field protection which will automatically trigger alarms and shut down ATMs when they are attacked by skimmers. 

Dallas-based Columbus Data Services has released new Web-based cash forecasting and cash balancing tools. The system is designed to provide more information on terminal balances and cash consumption, helping ATM deployers to better manage the cash in their terminals. The forecasting tool makes use of ATM transaction history to determine replenishment needs; the reporting tool helps provide loading amounts that are specific to each ATM. Additionally, the system can provide balancing capabilities and the ability to take a snap shot of where all cash from a particular funding source is located. 

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The new BioLock - from Sequiam Biometrics and Weiser, a Black and Decker Company - features a simplistic design that on the outside resembles traditional deadbolt door locks. However, the biometric deadbolt lock features a battery-powered locking mechanism that is activated when authorized users (up to 50) swipe their finger across AuthenTec's FingerLoc fingerprint sensor - eliminating the need for traditional keys. The lock is powered by four AA batteries, which will last through more than a year of normal use. The lock signals ahead of time when batteries need to be replaced - similar to a smoke detector. It also features a traditional key entry option as a backup.

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Online Resources Corp. announced the launch of its mobile banking and bill payment service, a hosted application that enables credit unions to provide their members with a full range of online services via mobile phones and other wireless devices. Developed in partnership with Access Softek, the mobile banking and payment service is an OFX-based software application that works with all major American wireless networks. Each client launch of the mobile service is supported with the company’s ICM Marketing services, including targeted in-session messaging, demos and other instructional information embedded in the application. After registering online, members download the software application via their wireless device.

Lines are blurring in the wireless WAN (wide area network) market, where 3G services are rapidly maturing. Prices are coming down and speeds are going up. Almost every organization, small to large, can take advantage of WWAN PC Card modems offered by all the carriers. Find out more in the February issue of Credit Union tech-talk - subscribe today.

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Gift cards are skyrocketing in popularity with consumers - but they also are gaining favor with criminals. A number of reports claim that enterprising thieves are using gift cards for everything from fraudulent purchases to currency in transactions. Some will copy down the numbers of unclaimed gift cards hanging on store racks, wait for them to be activated, then use the gift cards to make online purchases. However, many store chains thwart this by utilizing additional protections before activating gift cards, such as keeping them behind the store counter or requiring scratch-off activation codes. A more disturbing scam involves criminal groups buying gift cards, preloading them with high dollar amounts, and them using them as currency for their transactions. The cards are especially attractive for international and cross-border trafficking because they circumvent the money reporting requirements for traveling between countries.

IT workers that are nervous when they see credit union managers take laptops offsite may want to look into encryption. But if they balk at the amount of time and effort involved, they may want to consider an affordable outsourced encryption service for laptops. Learn more in the February issue of Credit Union tech-talk - subscribe now.

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SECURITY: 

Finding a Balance between Security and Convenience

Arcot - http://www.arcot.com   Read R. 'Doc' Vaidhyanathan's comments: http://www.cunews.com/roundtable/Arcot.pdf

Code Green Networks - http://www.codegreennetworks.com   Read Chip Hay's comments:   http://www.cunews.com/roundtable/CGN.pdf

Comodo - http://www.comodogroup.com   Read Andrew J. Pynes' comments:     http://www.cunews.com/roundtable/Comodo.pdf

Corillian - http://www.corillian.com   Read Greg Hughes' comments:    http://www.cunews.com/roundtable/Corillian.pdf

Digital Resolve - http://www.digital-resolve.net Read Dennis Maicon's comments: http://www.cunews.com/roundtable/DigitalResolve.pdf

e-DMZ Security - http://www.e-dmzsecurity.com   Read Kris Zupan's comments:   http://www.cunews.com/roundtable/e-DMZ.pdf

GalaxyPlus - http://www.galaxyplus.com   Read Vince Francone's comments:     http://www.cunews.com/roundtable/GalaxyPlus.pdf

Harland Financial Solutions - http://www.harlandfinancialsolutions.com   Read Niles Bay's comments:   http://www.cunews.com/roundtable/HFS.pdf

Intrusion - http://www.intrusion.com   Read Jay Barbour's comments:   http://www.cunews.com/roundtable/Intrusion.pdf

MagTek - http://www.magtek.com   Read Kiran Gandhi's comments:   http://www.cunews.com/roundtable/MagTek.pdf

Network Armor - http://www.networkarmor.com   Read Stephen Goldsby's comments:   http://www.cunews.com/roundtable/NetworkArmor.pdf

Perimeter Internetworking - http://www.perimeterusa.com   Read Kevin Prince's comments:   http://www.cunews.com/roundtable/Perimeter.pdf

RSA Security - http://www.rsasecurity.com   Read Marc Gaffan's comments:     http://www.cunews.com/roundtable/RSA.pdf

SecureWorks - http://www.secureworks.com   Read Jon Ramsey's comments:   http://www.cunews.com/roundtable/SecureWorks.pdf

Symitar - http://www.symitar.com   Read Larry Widel's comments:   http://www.cunews.com/roundtable/Symitar.pdf

TriGeo Network Security - http://www.trigeo.com   Read Michelle Dickman's comments:   http://www.cunews.com/roundtable/TriGeo.pdf

WhiteHat Security - http://www.whitehatsec.com   Read Jeremiah Grossman's comments:   http://www.cunews.com/roundtable/WhiteHat.pdf

WinMagic - http://www.winmagic.com   Read Joseph Belsanti's comments:   http://www.cunews.com/roundtable/WinMagic.pdf

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TechExcel has developed a Service Suite that they say is a complete CRM system that includes initial customer acquisition in MarketingWise, through account management in SalesWise, through internal and external support in ServiceWise. They tout a fully customizable interface that allows you to design your fields and forms to suit your specific business needs. It also includes over 150 predefined, presentation-quality reports and graphs, along with the ability to create additional custom reports. They even offer a satisfaction guarantee: with the purchase of their recommended training class and their installation and configuration service, they offer a standard 90-day product return policy with an 80% refund.

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MasterCard has unveiled a new point-of-sale service dubbed MasterCard rePower for reloading pre-paid cards at merchant locations. Revenues originate with merchant-set reload fees paid by the cardholder. Issuers are not charged for reloads. MasterCard says rePower will enable its member financial institutions to better serve unbanked consumers.

According to ECCHO (Electronic Check Clearing House Organization), checks cleared by paying financial institutions as electronic images outnumbered substitute checks in October for the first time in the short history of image exchange. The ECCHO statistics, gathered from three primary settlement networks, also show healthy growth in overall image exchange, with volume reaching 403 million items, up 30% over September’s total. There are significant cost savings for all involved:

- items that clear as images cost 2.7 cents.
- items that clear as image-replacement documents (IRDs) cost 5.9 cents.
- items that clear as original paper checks cost 6.6 cents.

Safeguard Internet Banking against Authentication Attacks and Phishing

Today's consumers are demanding financial institutions, and for that matter any organization of any size that provides a logon page to personal and business information, deliver unquestionable security whilst maintaining an ease of use balance.

myBiometrix efficiently meets and exceeds these criteria and that of FFIEC and NCUA guidelines through our proprietary interface that addresses the needs of both Consumer and Provider in securing transacting online:

   • Authenticating the consumer (verifying who is accessing information by who they are not what they have)
   • Verifying the providers site (ensuring a Phishing episode is not being perpetrated).
   • Confirming the source of the transaction (originating PC)
In other words, all aspects of the transaction are secured.

myBiometrix leverages an array of foreground and background technology presented through an intuitive user interface that provides multi-factor “personal trait” authentication.

   • irrefutably authenticates “personally” to a website using traits including
   • prevent others from falsely using the owners credentials to log on
   • eliminating the growing incidence of Phishing and Pharming attacks
   • eliminating Key Logger exposure as the keyboard is not used
   • eliminating the need to remember or write down pass-phrases

myBiometrix authenticates through a range of methods including:

   • Finger recognition
   • Voice recognition
   • Face recognition
   • Biometric Smart Card
   • Geometrical code
   • Others…

myBiometrix is a scaleable solution that can be hosted by us as a Managed Service or run In-House. Delivering irrefutable authentication and security and monitoring mechanisms, whilst maintaining a practical usability balance, myBiometrix conveys a holistic approach that is a world leader in irrefutable Authentication and Verification.

Collaboration and Reseller enquiries are welcomed for our range of proprietary Biometric solutions.

LEARN MORE ABOUT myBiometrix:

 www.myBiometrix.com

OR CONTACT US DIRECTLY AT:

busdev@myBiometrix.com

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By 2009, the number of e-mail messages sent is expected to double, from 64.9 to 120 billion. Some analysts believe that this is going to engender a management crisis for already overworked IT Departments. In the February issue of Credit Union tech-talk we will consider ways to better prepare your credit union and minimize the impact of any coming challenges - subscribe today.

Netopia eCare is a web-based, cross-platform remote support application that allows your technical staff to remotely and securely provide support to branch workers. IT workers are able to access the caller's desktop and with the caller's permission take control of the situation. The company says that their solution - which is available as licensed software or as a hosted system - can get end users back up and running fast, and improve satisfaction and productivity.
 

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Headset usage in the call center is critical to the job function of member service representatives. Sennheiser Communications makes a wide range of high quality headsets for call centers, and all of their telecom headsets include their ActiveGard circuit which protects the agents hearing at all times. Unfortunately, headset users may be exposed to hazardous incoming noises that can be dangerous to the hearing. The sudden high-pitched signal of an alarm sounding at the other end of the line, for example, can actually cause irreversible damage and pain. Technically referred to as an acoustic burst, a sudden and unexpected variation in sound level can potentially cause long-lasting damage to the human ear; and this can lead to acoustic shock, which can cause symptoms such as headaches, tinnitus, and even loss of hearing. Sennheiser says that ActiveGard effectively addresses these safety concerns.

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Catch Tom and Bill Rogers, Associate Editor of Credit Union tech-talk at the following conferences in 2007:

Feb. 27-28, Miami Beach - Winter Biometric Summit

June 7-8, Las Vegas - Credit Union InfoSecurity Conference

October 10-13, Albuquerque - Firefighters' National Credit Union Summit

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