The solutions are intended to help banks protect themselves against the growing numbers of attacks on their networks.

The solutions will be developed based on Cisco's Security Agent technology and the ProTect/Enterprise Security Suite from Wincor Nixdorf, combining the powerful strengths and benefits of both. Banks today are prey to growing numbers of unpredictable, unknown attacks on their networks which now make up the majority of network attacks. Virus scanners and firewalls only protect against known network attacks and are unable to help in this instance. The new solutions from Wincor Nixdorf and Cisco make it possible to pre-empt attacks before they are actually carried out.

"With the Cisco Security Agent, you don't have to experience the effects of an attack before you can stop it," said Michael Ganser, Vice President and Managing Director, Cisco Systems Germany. "This is the best example of a new breed of computer security products that take network defence beyond the realm of the current generation of anti-virus protection."

"The synergy behind this potential partnership could change the way retail banks handle security issues not only today but for years to come," said Reinhard Rabenstein, Senior Vice President and Chief Technical Officer, Wincor Nixdorf.