BAI RD: MagTek launches Centurion, IntelliHead security products

BAI RD: MagTek launches Centurion, IntelliHead security products
Tags: Components, Security
November 3, 2009

California-based MagTek announced the launch of two new products at Boston's BAI Retail Delivery conference.

The company, which manufactures electronic payments devices, has introduced Centurion, an addition to its MagneSafe family of secure card reader authenticators (SCRAs) that it says meets all 14 points in Visa's recently published report on global industry best practices for data-field encryption, and exceeds PCI DSS card data requirements.

Centurion's features include the ability to read and encrypt card data at the earliest possible point, the use of AES or Triple DES, the ability to mutually authenticate the card reader to its legitimate host, management of time-bound sessions, the capture and transmittal of dynamic digital identifiers of the card and cardholder data, and the ability to leave behind a unique token of the transaction.

In addition to its security features, the Centurion product boasts a small footprint and user-friendly design, said John Arato, vice president of MagTek's retail business unit:

Centurion was designed for customers that want both security and ease-of-use in a cost-efffective, small-footprint unit. With new security standards demanding a POS update by the merchants, the Centurion will facilitate PCI compliance by protecting card data at the point of swipe. It will reduce fraud by incorporating dynamic data authentication to stop the use of sniffed and skimmed card data, and assure merchants a 'future proof' investment in their POS system's security.

Also at the BAI event, MagTek has announced the launch of IntelliHead, another addition to its MagneSafe line of products. According to a new release, IntelliHead is a modularized, 3-track SCRA that also functions as an authenticating counterfeit-resisting security module (CRSM).

MagTek says IntelliHead's electronic components are encapsulated in a three-track sensor, allowing for easy integration. The company says the product is ideally suited to outdoor payment terminals, transactional kiosks, PIN-encrypting devices, small document scanners and access-control systems. IntelliHead's security features mirror those that are included on the Centurion device.

Tom Patterson, MagTek's chief security officer, said the device will help the banking industry make strides toward eliminating card fraud:

The MagneSafe IntelliHead is more than just a magnetic read head. This tiny OEM module provides the entire industry with access to technology that will eliminate counterfeit card fraud and allow merchants and financial institutions to do more than just comply with regulations. MagTek is committed to doing what is necessary to make counterfeit cards a thing of the past. We have invested millions dollars acquiring the authentication patents, building out the technology, mass producing components and integrating MagneSafe technology into every product we ship.