E-commerce acquiring platform provider Cardinal Commerce is working with First Data’s STAR EFT network to bring online debit authentication options to debit issuers. Debit issuers can decide which authentication method best meets their security and performance requirements as they push consumers toward online debit transactions. STAR’s Universal PIN Debit Service is at the heart of the activity. With Cardinal Commerce, STAR should be able to appeal to a broader e-commerce merchant community.
UPDS is an appealing and unique online PIN debit service for two reasons: 1) Thousands of eCommerce merchants already use the Centinel platform and will thus be able to leverage their existing Centinel service, and 2) UPDS supports issuer choice relative to appropriate authentication for their customers.
Cardinal’s UPDS provides an integrated solution that does not disrupt merchant fulfillment or customer service systems. UPDS will be deployed in a manner that makes it easy to participate and that will encourage participation by key stakeholders, using the proven and familiar “plug and play” Centinel model. UPDS adds one more secure payment option, secure debit, for eCommerce and mCommerce merchants using Centinel.
