STAR Network launches contactless POS security solution
25 August, 2010
category: Contactless
The STAR Network announced the release of STAR CertiFlash, a new PIN debit application designed to improve point-of-sale security using one-time card number technology. When programmed onto a contactless payment device, STAR CertiFlash encrypts each individual transaction, transmitting a card number that is good for only a single use.
With one-time card number technology, the consumer’s real account information is not used in the payment transaction, and so would not be available via STAR CertiFlash transactions to criminals hacking into a merchant’s system, according to STAR.
Skimming, or intercepting card data between the card and the reader, would also be blocked, as the thief would retrieve the one-time card number and not the real card information. According to STAR, Fraudulent white plastic or card-not-present transactions attempted with a skimmed STAR CertiFlash one-time card number will be declined due to added CertiFlash security layers.
CertiFlash also translates the one-time card number back to the real card number using a hardware-protected cryptographic process and sends it to the issuer for authorization.
The new solution will be made available to all STAR member financial institutions, which comprise more than 2 million retail and ATM locations, according to STAR.