One to watch for 2001 - privacy

That's why Phil Zimmermann's defection from corporate security giant Network Associates to Irish firm Hush Communications could mean more than a little light embarrassment for NAI.

American users regard Zimmermann as something of a hero, mostly because he's spent the last 20 years getting under the skin of US authorities.

After a three-year court battle over his right to give away encryption technology, Zimmermann tried to smarten up his act by moving to NAI. But clearly the corporate life didn't suit him that well.

Now he's off to Dublin-based Hush Communications, the company responsible for hushmail.com, everyone's favourite secret version of Hotmail.

Compared to NAI, the 43-strong Hush should be quite a culture shock, but Zimmermann is determined to make them the darling of the privacy world. More than that he's determined to make them the secure communication of choice for the "unwashed masses" and corporate users alike.

Hush certainly has plenty of potential and Zimmermann could be just what's required to drive the company into the spotlight.

And so what if he happens to pick a fight or two with a few European authorities along the way. Zimmermann might just find more support than he's expecting.