70% of bank ATMs exposed to fraud – Microsoft

ATM MACHINE

Over 70 per cent of Automated Teller Machines owned and operated by banks in the country, which are currently running on the Windows XP operating system, are exposed to frauds as Microsoft has foreclosed the extension of the deadline for cyber security support for the banks.

Microsoft had on April 8 stopped offering cyber security and technical support for the Windows XP, following a year’s notice.

Banks in the country have been discussing with Microsoft Nigeria for a possible extension of the deadline.

The Country Manager, Microsoft Nigeria, Kabelo Makwane, however, told our correspondent in an exclusive interview on Thursday that the American company would not grant any extension to banks in the country.

Makwane, who spoke through the Country Chief Technology Officer of the company, Olayinka Oni, said Microsoft was in advance discussions with the banks to get them migrated to the Windows 8 operating system.

The Microsoft boss noted the deadline was not peculiar to Nigeria.

In order to protect its customers globally from fraud and other cyber threats, Makwane said Microsoft was already selling custom-support to companies in Europe and other parts of the world pending when they would complete the migration process.

He said banks in Nigeria were already in discussion with Microsoft on how they could purchase the custom-support to protect their ATMs’ Windows XP pending when they would carry out the migration.

The Chairman, Committee of e-Banking Industry Heads, Chuks Iku, had last Wednesday said Microsoft Nigeria had directed banks to migrate to the improved platform, which, he noted would allow for enhanced banking benefits and security.