Security, spam top tech issues

Illustration: Keri Smith

Junk e-mail has become such a huge problem that spam technology — ways to reduce or eliminate unwanted e-mail — is second only to information se-curity on the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants' 2004 Top 10 Technologies list.

It' s the second consecutive year that IT-system safeguards — such as firewalls, anti-virus, password management and patches — tops the annual list of technologies that most affect the accounting profession. Spam technology, which didn't even appear on last year's list, ranks No. 2 this year — not surprising, considering how rapidly it has become a business concern.

"The need to protect consumers from the cyberspace equivalent of junk mail is the subject of a spirited debate that will probably continue for some time," says Roman Kepczyk, chairman of the AICPA's information technology executive committee.

In third place is digital optimization (aka the paperless office), also making its debut this year. This is the process of capturing and managing documents electronically in PDF and other formats. Several other technologies are new to the list, including:

• data mining (No. 7): the methods by which a user can sift through volumes of information to find specific answers;
• virtual office (No. 8): the technologies, processes and procedures that allow employees to work effectively, either individually or with others, regardless of physical location, and
• messaging applications (No. 10): applications allowing users to communicate electronically, including e-mail, voicemail and instant messaging.

Some older issues remain relevant. For example, wireless technologies (No. 5) and disaster recovery planning (No. 6) make repeat showings, but have swapped their 2003 positions.

For the complete list, as well as five additional emerging technologies, visit www.cpa2biz.com/toptechs.