The landscape of contactless payments is evolving rapidly, with an increasing number of consumers opting for the convenience and speed of tap-to-pay transactions. However, with this surge in popularity comes the need for standardized and secure processing methods to ensure seamless transactions and protect sensitive financial information.
Enter the EMV Contactless Kernel Specification (C-8) – a groundbreaking development that promises to revolutionize how contactless transactions are processed.
At present, terminal vendors and acquirers use scheme-specific kernels for contactless transactions. Implementing and maintaining multiple kernels increases costs and complexity. C-8 aims to offer a unified and standardized solution to help terminal vendors, acquirers, issuers, and payment processors.
Let us walk you through the previous kernel specifications, which are payment scheme-specific contactless kernels:
Now, EMVCo has introduced EMV Contactless Kernel Specification / EMVCo C-8 kernel.
EMVCo wanted to standardize the contactless kernel and conducted the feasibility assessment by getting feedback from the industry. The task force was then established to develop the specifications.
Here are the objectives of developing specifications for the unified C-8 kernel.
Enhanced security – drive safer transactions and elevate privacy standards through implementing the C-8 kernel.
Expeditious market entry – enable chip vendors to achieve faster time-to-market by adopting the C-8 kernel specification.
Streamlined certification processes – reduce certification efforts, both in terms of cost and time, for terminal vendors and acquirers by consolidating certification requirements into a single L2 certification.
Simplified management – simplify the management of contactless implementations for acquirers by minimizing recertification efforts and making debugging easier with a common kernel framework.
Enhanced flexibility – provide local payment schemes with the option to align with global schemes or leverage independent application providers like Gemalto Pure or Idemia without additional kernels on POS terminals.
Royalty-free environment – create a level playing field for local payment schemes with the adoption of the C-8 kernel, ensuring equitable access to contactless technology.
Cost savings and collaboration – reduce certification costs and share the workload on specification maintenance for global payment systems by eliminating the need for scheme-specific L2 certifications and leveraging a unified kernel framework.
Let us look at some of the features of the newly released C-8 specifications and the benefits they bring to merchants, solution providers, and payment systems.
In a world where more than 20 kernels coexist to support contactless transactions, the EMV Contactless Kernel Specification offers a game-changing solution.
By seamlessly integrating with existing terminal architectures, this specification eliminates the need for costly terminal replacements.
Instead, it introduces a new piece of software that can run on current merchant point-of-sale terminals, ensuring continuity in operations without disrupting the consumer experience.
Security is paramount in the world of contactless payments, and the EMV Contactless Kernel Specification doesn't disappoint.
Leveraging state-of-the-art cryptography, including Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) and Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), this specification provides robust protection against threats like eavesdropping and data alteration.
With smaller key sizes and faster transaction speeds, ECC offers a significant advancement in security, ensuring the integrity of contactless transactions now and in the future.
As technology evolves, so too do the possibilities for processing contactless transactions.
The EMV Contactless Kernel Specification embraces this evolution by supporting cloud operations, enabling split processing across different locations and configurations.
Whether it's mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) or TapToMobile implementations, this specification empowers software developers and terminal manufacturers to innovate and optimize their solutions for efficiency and flexibility.
To foster collaboration and innovation across the industry, the EMV Contactless Kernel Specification is available royalty-free under the stewardship of EMVCo.
This open-access approach ensures that all stakeholders – from proprietary networks to domestic payment providers – can leverage the specification to enhance their contactless payment offerings without the burden of licensing fees.
While the C-8 kernel offers compelling features and advantages, you should carefully consider, plan, and execute the migration.
The EMV Contactless Kernel specification is available on the EMVCo Website.
In case you need any help related to EMV Contactless Kernels, do reach out to us at info@payhuddle.com
