Upgrading Your System To Accept EMV-Certified Payments

The new standard of parking payment solutions.

5 min read

As customer journeys continue to be fuelled by convenience, there is one solution that has revolutionized the way Canadian’s park- contactless payments. Whether it be credit, debit or mobile wallets, these secure payment methods have become the new norm at parking facilities across Canada. However, security concerns of the misuse of personal and banking information from using these forms of payment are still very much prevalent.

The shift towards complete digitization is imminent, giving organizations the much-needed push to adjust their product offerings to meet the digital and security demands of the future. The first step? Integrating Euro Mastercard Visa (EMV)-certified payment solutions into your parking infrastructure.

You may be asking yourself, what makes EMV a global standard? In simpler terms, EMV allows for the interoperation of integrated circuit cards (IC cards or chip cards) and IC card-capable point-of-sale (POS) terminals and automated teller machines (ATMs) for authenticating credit and debit card transactions. EMV chip cards contain embedded microprocessors that provide robust transaction security features, thus ensuring interoperable, secure payments.

How it Works 

So how does EMV secured processing work when paying for parking? EMV secured processing protects cardholder data by reducing the risk of fraud when using a smart card, either when inserted via chip, by tap or through a mobile device. Each transaction includes dynamic digital data that acts as a safeguard between the credit card and potential risks. When a visitor is paying for parking using an EMV-enabled card or device, the transaction is automatically authenticated, verified and authorized by both parties. Every time a visitor pays for parking, information unique to the transaction is incorporated, making it next to impossible to be stolen or replicated.

EMV Certification Levels

EMV certification is classified into three levels that test the hardware, software kernels and application. Level 3 is considered the highest degree of certification and combines elements from levels 1 and 2 to create a secure payment environment.

EMV Level 1 Certification

EMV Level 1 certification ensures that the device, in this case, the payment terminal on the device, meets the lower level of electromagnetic and communication protocol requirements. To achieve level 1 certification, the physical terminal, logic and transmission of payments are tested.

EMV Level 2 Certification

Level 2 certification takes it one step further, validating the software and payment functionality on the device. The software is referred to as the payment kernel and supports various payment brands such as Mastercard, Visa, American Express, etc. An organization can achieve level 2 certification through testing the software written to facilitate the transmission of payment information.

EMV Level 3 Certification 

Level 3 brand certification can be achieved once each card brand is tested against the entire processing solution, including components of levels 1 and 2 and the payment application.

Our Role

At Precise ParkLink, we take pride in offering financial services that abide by level 3 of EMV- certified payment standards. Our Canadian certified banking solutions undergo increased verification steps that ensure secure processing at the point of sale (POS). Over 200+ Precise ParkLink clients within multiple sectors have integrated EMV certified payment solutions using Ingenico EMV POS devices into their parking infrastructure. EMV chip and pin and EMV contactless payments software abides by the global standard.  

How to Upgrade

Upgrading your facility to meet EMV payment standards is easy, with certified hardware and software solutions by Precise ParkLink. Ingenico Point of Sale devices can currently be installed on both parking meter and gated parking technology. Are you wondering how you can start offering EMV-certified payment standards at your facility? We can work with you to propose the best solution that meets and exceeds your organizational needs. 

The EMV standard has reduced counterfeit card fraud for Canadians across the country, making it a vital part of payment processing for parking facilities, organizations and visitors alike. Undergoing increased verification will not only form a global payment authentication for the industry as a whole but your facility as well. Upgrading your parking hardware to accept EMV-certified payments, including credit, debit and mobile wallets, will create a reliable and secure customer journey.

References

Bray, J. (2021, April 5). Parking Industry Glossary. ParkingIndustry. https://www.parkingindustry.ca/parking-101/parking-industry-glossary.

EMV in Transit: What are These 'EMV Level 1, 2, 3' Certifications? EMV in Transit: What are These 'EMV Level 1, 2, 3' Certifications? | Identity Management & Security. (n.d.). https://ims.ul.com/emv-transit-what-are-these-emv-level-1-2-3-certifications-0.

EMV: Making Payments safer. (n.d.). Retrieved June 25, 2021, from https://www.mastercard.ca/en-ca/merchants/safety-security/emv-chip.html

Librizzi, U. (2020, May 29). EMV Certification Explained. PayJunction Blog. https://blog.payjunction.com/emv-terminal-certification-explained#:~:text=EMV%20Certification%3A%20Level%201%20and,of%20payment%20information%20is%20tested.