PINcept.com: Bell ID's I-PIN Platform

Bell ID's I-PIN Platform

In the competitive banking industry of today, banks are seeking new means to provide optimal convenience to their cardholders. With this in mind, Bell ID has developed the I-PIN: an EMV PIN change application that can be integrated into the website of the issuing bank. With this solution, EMV cardholders can securely change their PIN on any computer with an Internet connection.

Historically, magnetic stripe cards PINs could easily be changed as these were stored centrally at the authorisation host and were always verified online. With EMV cards the situation has become more complicated as the card contains both an on- and offline PIN. The offline PIN is injected into the card during the card personalisation, providing the ability to verify the PIN in offline environments. In order to change an EMV offline PIN, an EMV script must be prepared and sent to the card in order to change the PIN. Merely updating the database is therefore not sufficient and requires an online connection with the card. The I-PIN realises EMV PIN changes over the Internet and ensures that both the on- and offline PIN of the card get synchronised.

Benefits

Cost reduction

Cards do not have to be re-issued when PINs get blocked; this saves on card production, logistical and distribution costs.

I-PIN is more economical than upgrading current ATM machines with PIN change functionalities (depending on number of cardholders and ATMs).

No need for expensive PIN pads as I-PIN has an on-screen PIN entry device.

Cardholders are able to change the PIN themselves, which saves on administration costs in comparison to in-branch PIN changes.

Competitive advantage

I-PIN is a user-friendly application. Why not enhance existing customer loyalty and attract new cardholders by providing an easy-to-change PIN functionality?

Customer convenience

Cardholders are enabled to securely change their PIN 24 hours a day from any PC that is connected to the Internet, which also optimises customer service.

In-Branch Capabilities

I-PIN can also be used for offering in-branch PIN change capabilities to issuers that do have service points. The solution can be hosted in a service desk inside a branch or as an over the counter service.

No acquiring infrastructure needed

As the I-PIN utilises the Internet to realise EMV PIN changes, no acquiring infrastructure is needed. This is especially interesting for banks without their own ATM infrastructure or for cardholders who live abroad or are travelling and do not have access to their bank's ATM network.

How I-PIN Works

The Internet PIN Change Solution makes use of a personal smart card reader and an Internet connection to allow cardholders to connect their cards to their bank via an existing Internet banking website in order to change the card PIN.

The cardholder will log onto their Internet banking account in the standard manner and select the PIN Change functionality. This will cause a Virtual PIN Entry Device (VPED) to be displayed.

The cardholder will then be prompted to insert their card and once the card has been read, the cardholder will enter their old PIN (optional) and new PIN. The PIN and card data will then be sent encrypted to the PIN Change Server (may be channelled via Internet Banking Server).

The PIN Change Server will send the old PIN (optional) and new PIN to the Issuer Host and ask the Issuer Host whether to change the PIN or block the card. If a PIN change is allowed for this card, the PIN Change Server will generate a PIN Change Script and send the script back to the card.

I-PIN Evaluation Kit

To demonstrate the ease of use and security features, Bell ID has released an evaluation kit of the I-PIN. This package includes a PC/SC reader, dual interface EMV card and access to Bell ID's I-PIN demonstration environment.

Should you be interested in such a kit, please request one here: