PULSE, Acculynk to Pilot Internet PIN-based Debit

The PULSE ATM/debit network is teaming with security solutions company Acculynk (Atlanta) to run a pilot for online PIN debit transactions. Houston-based PULSE will test Acculynk's PaySecure Internet PIN debit technology. The pilot will involve selected PULSE merchant and financial institution participants and is slated to begin in the second quarter of 2009.

The goal of the pilot, say the companies, is to assess consumer acceptance of Internet-based PIN debit transactions. Acculynk's technology enables consumers to use their debit cards with a personal identification number to pay for online purchases.

Acculynk's PIN-pad technology integrates directly into the merchant checkout process. The consumer will be aware of the PIN entry option only if his card is enabled for PIN debit. The consumer will have the option of entering his PIN or completing the purchase as a signature debit transaction. According to Acculynk, the PIN itself is not captured on the consumer's PC nor is it transmitted over the Internet. Instead, Acculynk captures and encrypts data associated with the PIN entry process, then transmits the encrypted data in a separate message from the message used for the card number.