News

Prime Factors intros new EMV data prep software

April 5, 2013

Prime Factors Inc., has announced the upcoming release of an EMV data preparation module for its Bank Card Security System. The module removes the complexity of EMV card issuance for the user, facilitating EMV data preparation in-house.

Many issuers have outsourced EMV smart card issuance due to its complexity compared to magnetic stripe card issuance. This puts them in the position of relying on others to secure cardholder data and associated keys. Issuers who perform EMV data preparation in-house retain more control  cardholder data and associated keys, thus reducing the risk of a breach, said a news release from Prime Factors. 

The new newEMV data preparation module runs on all major operating systems including the IBM z/OS used by most issuers. The user performs EMV data preparation in-house using the existing magnetic stripe issuance platform and cardholder management system.

The  module is an extension of BCSS, highly-specialized middleware that reduces the amount of programming required to develop and maintain a secure card issuance platform. BCSS provides software for key management, Thales HSM integration, and security code and PIN generation and verification for magnetic stripe and EMV IC cards.

The new module pulls application data, cardholder data and keys from many sources to create a file that can be sent securely to a bureau. Any card personalization system, regardless of the IC card and personalization equipment employed, can interpret the file for processing.

"BCSS makes EMV data preparation as familiar and routine as magnetic stripe card issuance is on your legacy systems," said Dave Tushie, product manager for BCSS at Prime Factors. "With BCSS you maintain more control of your card holder data and more importantly — the keys and certificates — by performing EMV data preparation in-house."

The EMV module is entering beta testing, and will be available at the end of Q2. In conjunction with the introduction, Prime Factors has released white paper, "Plain English Guide: Why Financial Institutions Should Keep EMV Data Preparation In-House."

Read more about EMV.