3DES FIX

Pi Systems International, Inc.

Payment industry suppliers hoping to give their ATMs a security upgrade to Triple DES (3DES) encryption in order to meet conversion schedules from credit card companies should be aware of a new device from Pi Systems International.

Pi Systems offers a solution called 3DES FIX that enables older ATM units to become compliant with 3DES security standards. 3DES is a data-encryption standard algorithm that encrypts input data three times and raises the level of fraud protection for PIN-based transactions initiated at ATMs.

MasterCard and Visa have been pushing migration to 3DES in order to protect customers' account data. Visa says that as of January 1, 2003, all newly deployed ATMs must support 3DES. MasterCard says all new ATMS should have been compliant by April 1, 2002.

The 3DES FIX device looks similar to an existing ATM PIN pad but includes features that make it both DES and 3DES compliant. All data is sent to the processor in 3DES. PIN encryption occurs within the PIN pad, meeting the encryption standards published by Visa.

According to Pi Systems, there are three ways to upgrade your equipment to be 3DES compliant: (1) buy completely new equipment, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars, (2) upgrade the processor, keypad and software of the current ATM, which can cost up to $5,000 or (3) install Pi Systems' 3DES FIX.

Pi Systems says the 3DES FIX can be installed within two to three hours and costs $3,200. The device is designed for Diebold 906, 910, 911, 1060, 1062, 1064i, 1072, 1073, 1074, MDS and STP-based units as well as NCR 50xx and 56xx units.

Pi Systems International, Inc.

2170 Regal Parkway

Euless, TX 76040

817-831-5723, ext. 200

www.3-des.com