Hypercom's PinnacleSET software will include hardware-based security engines from Atalla Corp. If you're unfamiliar with Atalla (a Tandem company), they manufacture hardware-based security processors for the Internet, intranet, and bank transfer networks as well as POS, customer authorization, and PIN terminals. Currently, 70 percent of all ATM transactions in North America are secured by Atalla.
Hypercom also plans to make Atalla's PayMaster/PCI Internet Security Processor available. Atalla's PayMaster/PCI helps eliminate the possibility of keys being used for more than one purpose and minimizes the risk of a "backdoor'' attack on the system.
The PinnacleSET suite will work with a greater range of payment cards and SET applications than other SET products. "This hardware solution significantly increases the performance of encryption operations of SET transactions. As a result, customers can achieve new levels of transaction throughout and speed for financial payments,'' said Ted Cole, vice president of Hypercom's Pinnacle Software Group.
PinnacleSET runs on Windows NT, Sun Solaris, HP-UX, and Tandem NSK. PinnacleSET applications currently include:
*PinnacleSET Wallet: resides on the cardholder's computer and can carry the logo of banks, financial processors, or merchants for branding and advertising opportunities. *PinnacleSET POS: links merchants to their customers and financial processors for quick, secure, easy payments.
*PinnacleSET Gateway: connects the merchant to the payment processing system for credit card authorization.
*PinnacleSET CA (certification authority server): helps generate and manage digital ID certificates for secure electronic transactions and digital rights management.
Atalla's PayMaster/PCI Internet Security Processor will be available with the PinnacleSET software suite by the second quarter of 1998.
For more information on Atalla call (408) 435-8850. For more information about Hypercom contact Hammond Farrell, Inc., at (212) 335-5000.
