NEWS IN BRIEF
Daily Digest 19 November
19-11-2008
by Emmet Cole
Dublin firm claims world's first biodegradable PC | Irish firms not securing e-payments: Deloitte
A team of developers in Dublin has produced the world's first biodegradable computer. The iameco, from Rathfarnham-based MicroPro Computers, is built from biodegradable wood panels manufactured from waste products from the lumber and pulp industry. Seeds are stored in the wooden casing, so when the components are eventually thrown out and buried in landfill the wood gets wet, breaks down and new plants begin to grow from old computers. The iameco computer also uses one third less energy than regular computers, the company claims.
A significant number of Irish e-commerce websites do not enforce adequate security for online payments, leading to a greater risk of identity theft and fraud, according to Deloitte Enterprise Risk Services. The analysis of over 100 Irish based e-commerce websites examined the security levels that were in place for online payments. Although some progress has been made in Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) compliance, a significant proportion of websites analysed are still not compliant with the standards, according to Deloitte. Fifty-three percent of companies supported weak or legacy encryption, with 2 percent of sites not encrypting cardholder data entry sessions at all. In addition, 7 percent of websites did not require a CVV2 number -- the three digit code on the back of credit cards. Finally, 3 percent of websites had expired SSL certificates.
Of the 46 percent of Irish people with internet access, more are using online banking on a regular basis than in 2007, according to a survey by Halifax. The survey found that 7 percent of those with internet access are now using online banking on a daily basis, compared to minimal daily use last year. The survey also found that 55 percent of people with internet access bank online at least once a week, compared to 49 percent in 2007.
Irish firms are divided on cloud computing technology according to research published by Citrix. Citrix found that 46 percent of Irish IT decision-makers admit they have no plans to start using cloud computing in their organisations, whilst 44 percent are either currently using cloud-based applications or hope to implement them in 2009. Of those embracing cloud computing, nearly 11 percent currently use it across their organisation, 22 percent are using it in specific departments and 11 percent hope to start utilising it in the next year. The study also found that 82 percent of Irish IT decision-makers believe there are some risks associated with cloud computing. Twenty-two percent of firms are anxious about security and 22 percent cite lack of bandwidth as a concern. Meanwhile, another 22 percent believe that cloud computing could cause issues for IT management and governance, and 16 percent expressed fears about loss of data control.
Meanwhile, McAfee announced it has completed the acquisition of Secure Computing Corporation for USD5.75 per common share in cash, representing an equity value for Secure Computing's common stock of approximately USD418 million. Additionally, Secure Computing's outstanding shares of preferred stock were redeemed for an aggregate of approximately USD85 million in cash. In total, the transaction is valued at approximately USD462 million. As part of the deal, Dan Ryan, president and CEO of Secure Computing, will lead McAfee's Network Security Product business unit.
Global revenues from mobile TV services will generate USD1.5 billion in revenues in 2008, rising to over USD100 billion in 2012, according to research from Informa Telecoms & Media. According to the analysts, nearly half of the revenues will come from advertising by 2013. In the next two years, growth is anticipated to be strongest in South Korea and Japan before the rest of the world starts to catch up around 2010/2011. According to the study, despite isolated success stories in places like Italy and Austria, Europe is not expected to see rapid growth in mobile TV until 2009. The US is expected to take even longer as confusion over standards prevents growth.
Solar energy company G24 Innovations has announced the appointment of John Hartnett as chief executive officer. Hartnett joins from Palm, Inc and will divide his time between the company's manufacturing and research headquarters in Cardiff and a newly-established hub in Silicon Valley. He will also assume responsibility for leading G24 Innovation's next stage of expansion in global markets.
Finally, the Digital Hub will host a student digital media exhibition in Dublin from Friday, 21 November until Thursday, 27 November. The 'Best in Show' exhibition will feature digital media work produced by graduates from colleges in Ireland and the UK. Eight works will be on display in the auditorium of the Digital Exchange, Crane Street, for the duration of the exhibition, which will be free to the public from 10:00am until 5:30pm each day.
Caped Koala Studios has built a virtual world for kids, combining education and social networking 