IN THIS ISSUE

INTERNET SECURITY

Interest in internet security moved centre stage with the rapid growth in e-commerce activities. But early hype has turned to disappointment in some parts of the sector, even if others have remained relatively recession-proof. And the message that internet security is not just a technology issue is taking a while to get through

Inhouse or outsource? Many companies are overwhelmed by the complexity of trying to install in-house security coverage, but subcontractors can ease the burden

Vendors round-up Suppliers of security products are finding the going rough, although most expect long-term prosperity

Security and privacy Installing internet security systems is only part of the solution to creating true privacy online

Mobile security The mobile industry has been grappling with security issues for some time, but the need for common standards is becoming ever more important. A wide range of organisations are involved

Business implications Companies need to develop comprehensive security policies before rushing out to issue employees with the latest range of Wap devices

Bluetooth Despite security fears, the short-range radio technology is too affordable and too useful not to succeed

Virtual private networks VPNs are a security technology that can help slash communications costs too. But amid the hype, there are still plenty of challenges

Online banking security Banks like dealing with customers online because the transaction costs are lower. But many consumers remain wary, mainly because of security worries

Online retailing fraud The reluctance of victims to come forward, and the anonymity of the net, make the online world the perfect propagator of crime

Interview Cybercrime expert Richard Power says it is not true any more that 80 per cent of computer security breaches are “inside jobs” the internet has changed all that

Insuring against cybercrime As cybercrime attacks increase, companies need to closely check their policies to ensure that they are adequately covered

B2B security For long regarded as a costly, if necessary overhead, security is now viewed as a business enabler that facilitates online commerce

Can hackers go legal? Very few hackers have the skills to become top security experts, and few computer security companies will hire programmers with a questionable past

Two case studies The American Express Blue card , the first of its type in the US, is targeted at people interested in internet shopping but uncomfortable about security

Temporary credit card number technology from two rival companies, Orbiscom and Cyota, eliminates the need to transmit actual card numbers over the web

INTERACTIVE TELEVISION

Overview While there have been signs that the viewing public is finally waking up to the opportunities offered by interactive TV (iTV), operators have appeared as far away as ever from making the services pay

Glossary Interactive TV is full of abbreviations and jargon. For those who do not know their MHP from their DVB, here is a guide

Direct marketing Interactive TV opens up potentially lucrative services, with the prospect for advertisers of direct marketing to receptive consumers, but there are many issues to be resolved, including privacy

Game-playing and gambling Betting on the outcome of a game, or the result of a free kick, as you are watching the match is the next level of online gaming, although concerns exist about profligate gamblers

Security issues Despite the appeal of iTV, consumers are concerned about the security implications of the television that watches them

Sport on iTV Sport is certainly driving interactive TV adoption across Europe, buy it is sports betting that is delivering the revenues

iTV in Germany Germany has watched the development of interactive television from the sidelines, but it is a market with big potential, and a key player in the battle to establish open standards

Three company profiles“Don't just view it, do it,” is the slogan of UK iTV company Two Way TV, which aims to encourage viewer participation.

French based pay-TV producer Canal+ has been in the vanguard of ITV developments, going straight to digital when it launched 14 channels over its satellite Direct-to-Home (DTH) television service in 1996.

Portuguese cable operator TV Cabo, working closely with Microsoft, is the first in the world to offer digital TV services through a cable set-top box with built-in digital video recording capabilities

THE COMPUTER GAMES INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY

Business models Games developers have been preparing for anticipated boom in sales as the new consoles arrive on the market, and honing their strategies to maximise their return on the opportunity.

Pervasive gaming Any time, anywhere gaming provides an attractive business model, although revenue sharing and standards setting are proving more of a problem.

Microsoft’s Xbox Even for Microsoft, the launch of a games machine in a market dominated by Sony and Nintendo is a daunting challenge. But if the risks are considerable, so are the rewards.

Three supplier profiles French-based Infogrames now earns half its revenues in the US, but its name recognition there is relatively weak. It now plans to progressively re-badge its “core” games under the Atari brand

Economies of scale have been a big factor in the new-found success of Activision, benefiting everything from games development to distribution

Californian Mike McGarvey took over the reins at struggling UK games maker Eidos last November 2000 with a mission to bring back the company's glory days. He has to reconcile balanced growth with the success of one over-powering brand, Lara Croft

German games market Not only is demand for computer games growing appreciably in Europe’s largest consumer market, the country is also producing some innovative game development studios, particularly in the online sector.

OTHER ARTICLES

View from the top As Michael Dell plans to triple Dell Computer’s share of the cut-throat PC market, it is clear that he will give rivals no quarter

LOOKING AHEAD

Our regular section giving brief details of forthcoming themes in FT-IT and FT Telecoms