Today’s bankcard networks are generally considered to be highly reliable and secure. However, cardholder data is typically unencrypted – visible in clear text – as it leaves a merchant’s terminal and makes its way through the payments network. At certain points in its journey, the data is potentially exposed – making it valuable prey for the scores of professional hackers who have developed increasingly sophisticated and technically savvy methods of hijacking it. Press reports of compromised systems over the last several years are stark testimony to the success of these criminals.
Protecting sensitive cardholder and payment account information throughout the lifecycle of a transaction from card swipe through transmission to the card brands is the ultimate goal and motivation behind E3™, an end-to-end encryption product under development by Heartland Payment Systems. A company at the forefront of payment card security enhancement, Heartland is developing technology which it anticipates will provide the highest degree of protection of sensitive payment account data currently available. E3 is slated to launch commercially in Q4 2009.
Learn more about how E3 can help protect your business.