The Indian Banks Association (IBA) does not feel it is a concern for banks to be functioning in the scenario where the support for Windows XP operating system stands withdrawn. IBA maintains the branches or ATMs will be affected once Microsoft stops supporting the system from 8 April. Banks are definitely well-prepared and the industry is seized of the matter and it is not likely that ATMs or bank counters will be shut because of this, IBA’ chief executive M.V. Tanksale, said. He said only the old ATMs may face some problem as all the newer machines are run on newer platforms. The RBI has expressed concern that banking operations may be hit once the Windows XP gets phased out. The central bank said in a circular that the probability of attacks on such a system may increase and it may be difficult to defend such attacks in the absence of Microsoft support. According to the IBA, there are over 1.40 lakh operational ATMs across the country at present and the number is only going up given the current low penetration of the machines.
