Banks yet to upgrade software in ATMs

Software giant Microsoft's announcement of pulling the plug on operating system Windows XP came almost a month ago. However, upgradation of software in Automate Teller Machines (ATM) in Kolhapur is still underway.

There are more than 200 ATM centres in the district, with plans to open more on the cards. Bank of India (BoI) is the leading district bank of Kolhapur, which processes most data of banking and related transactions. Though bank officials say software upgradation is going on, it is not yet clear how long banks would need to complete the process.

Microsoft has clearly mentioned on its portal that technical assistance for Windows XP, including automatic updates that help project one's personal computer, would no longer be available.

Most ATMs have the same operating system (OS), which is now more vulnerable to security risks.

General manager of the lead district branch of BoI M G Kulkarni said, "All bank officials, including the information technology department, are aware of the change. Officials concerned have already started the upgradation procedure of ATMs in the district. There are 300 branches of public and private sector banks with at least 200 ATMs."

Senior manager of BoI's Information Technology department in Kolhapur region Vinay Mirshra said, "Kolhapur, Sangli and Satara districts are parts of the region where upgradation work is going on. There are 108 branches of Bank of India in this region and all the machines are being upgraded. It will take another month before we can migrate the whole system, data and records to an upgraded operating system such as Windows 7."

A senior officer from a private bank said, "We are taking extra care in terms of keeping a close watch on withdrawal from ATMs. We do not want our customer to lose his/her savings during this period of software upgradation. We are setting up new ATMs that will have a modern Microsoft OS. Only then would these ATMs start serving customers."  Source Article:  http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/tech-news/Banks-yet-to-upgrade-software-in-ATMs/articleshow/33521995.cms?