While most information security specialists say that protecting corporate data became more of a priority with their bosses after the September 11 attacks, about 30 percent reported their companies are still not adequately protected, according to a new survey.

The survey was conducted jointly by the Internet Security Alliance, the US-based National Association of Manufacturers and RedSiren Technologies Inc. on 227 information security specialists based in the US and overseas.

Overall, the findings show that most respondents agree that information security is a key issue, and is continually gaining more significance. While 88 percent felt that information security is essential to business survivability, about 30 percent reported their business-critical information was still not adequately protected.

"The survey results support the commonly held belief in the information security field that cybersecurity issues and privacy threats are definitely becoming more visible to senior management," RedSiren stated. "However, the findings also demonstrate that the priority and commitment levels are still inadequate to fully address perceived risk and threat levels."

The responses indicate that while most organisations communicate on a regular basis about the importance of computer security, a significant percentage still lack adequate commitment by senior management to achieve a sustainable level of information security, RedSiren said.

"The results also show the importance of resource allocation in providing adequate security," RedSiren said. "Slightly less than half (47 percent) of the respondents reported they had adequate resources prior to September 11.

"An equal number of the respondents (47 percent) said their companies have increased spending on information security since last year, while a slightly lower number (38 percent) indicated this trend would continue in 2003."

Corporate buyers who took the smart strategy and decided to wait for Microsoft's first update to Windows XP can now assess whether the timing is right to go for the plunge.

This week Microsoft released the first major bug fix to the XP operating system, the successor to Windows 2000 and Windows 98. The service update to Windows XP is available as a free download from the Microsoft site at www.microsoft.com. XP users have the option of setting their system to automatically get updates, so you may already be fixed up.

While you're at Microsoft's download page check out the beta release to Windows Media Player. The new 9 Series version is meant as Microsoft's answer to the RealPlayer media player, which is very good for listening to online radio and watching online video presentations.

The BBC online radio network uses the RealPlayer format, and so do many corporations in broadcasts of financial results. Some sites are even illegally showing Hollywood movies online. I watched the first 10 minutes of an Anthony Hopkins movie on one and it ran fine over my ADSL connection. In a phrase that will make recording executives cringe, Microsoft says the 9 Series will make "burning your digital media easier than ever".

Before you install the new version of Media Player be sure to read the release notes Microsoft provides online. The use of the word "beta" for a software release indicates the product is still in the testing stage and may not work properly on some machines and may conflict with some software.

I generally stay away from beta releases except when making an assessment for this column. Sure enough, the release notes contain a batch of "issues".

Unless you are are real keener to be ahead of the crowd, and have the time to sort out the "issues" on your machine, it is best to wait for the release of the "real" version.

If you're one of the unlucky ones to have bought a Kodak DC5000 Zoom digital camera then you're in for a shock. Actually you may already have been shocked, as these cameras have been found to give you a nasty tingle when loading batteries, memory cards, or when connecting its USB cable.

Kodak announced this week that it was recalling 75,000 of the DC5000s it had sold so far because of the possible shock hazard. Kodak said in a statement that owners should stop using the device and to return it to Kodak for repair. Kodak will pay for all shipping, inspection and repair charges.

Tech Tattle deals with issues in technology. Contact Ahmed at editoroffshoreon.com.