http://www.cisco.com/public/sw-center/sw-ciscosecure.shtml

There? I don't see anything relating to updates. Do I need a service agreement in order to download the latest firmware?

Yes, you do need service contract aka smartnet services for downloads of software updates.

Go to partner locator page to locate partner in your area to inquiry on smartnet.

http://www.cisco.com/web/partners/index.html

Rgds

-Jorge

So to get the critical updates I need to pay for them by getting a SmartNet account? Wow that's pretty bad.

No this is not true. For critical issues I think you can get it directly from Cisco TAC. Each 'Critical' Security bulletin has a procedure for this. But for other upgrades a Smartnet is required.

Regular software updates require the smartnet service, but there is nothing 'too bad' about it, this is true for almost all vendors.

Regards

Farrukh