Blogs

Hardware Testing
During hardware testing, the payment terminal is examined to ensure it meets specific requirements related to physical characteristics, such as the card reader's performance, PIN pad functionality and display quality. This stage also verifies the terminal's ability to securely encrypt sensitive cardholder data and protect against physical tampering or skimming attempts.

Software Testing
Software testing focuses on assessing the payment terminal's embedded software, including the EMV kernelthe software responsible for processing EMV transactions. This stage verifies the terminal's compliance with the EMV specifications, ensuring it can handle various transaction types, including chip-and-PIN and chip-and-signature. Additionally, the software is tested for interoperability with different card issuers and acquirers, ensuring seamless transaction processing across multiple payment networks.

Certification Authority Evaluations
Certification authority evaluations are conducted by accredited third-party entities that specialize in EMV certification. These evaluations confirm that the payment terminal meets the necessary security and functional requirements outlined by EMVCo, the organization responsible for maintaining the EMV standards. The certification authority thoroughly reviews the test results from the hardware and software testing stages, ensuring compliance with all applicable standards and guidelines.

The completion of the EMV Level 2 certification process demonstrates that a payment terminal is capable of securely processing EMV transactions, protecting sensitive cardholder data and delivering a seamless customer experience.

Trends and Innovations in EMV L2 Kernel Testing

Contactless Payment Support: Enabling Secure and Convenient Transactions
With the rising popularity of contactless payments, EMV L2 kernel testing has evolved to ensure payment terminals can handle contactless transactions securely. Innovations in testing methodologies now focus on verifying the terminal's ability to communicate with NFC-enabled devices, authenticate transactions and protect against fraud.

Contactless payment support is vital for businesses aiming to offer customers a convenient and swift payment experience. EMV L2 kernel testing assesses the terminal's ability to read contactless cards and mobile wallets, ensuring smooth communication between the terminal and the customer's device. This testing also evaluates the terminal's capability to validate transactions securely, protecting against unauthorized usage and ensuring data integrity.

The advancements in contactless payment support have enabled various use cases, including tap-and-go payments, transit ticketing and mobile wallet transactions. EMV L2 kernel testing ensures that payment terminals comply with the necessary standards to facilitate these contactless payment options while maintaining the highest levels of security and interoperability.

Mobile Payment Integration: Enhancing Payment Flexibility
As smartphones become an integral part of our lives, EMV L2 kernel testing has expanded to include mobile payment integration. This involves testing the payment terminal's compatibility with mobile wallet applications, verifying secure data transfer and validating the terminal's ability to handle mobile payment transactions effectively.

The mobile payment landscape has witnessed significant growth, with popular mobile wallet apps such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay gaining widespread adoption. EMV L2 kernel testing ensures that payment terminals can seamlessly interact with these mobile wallets, enabling customers to make payments using their smartphones securely.

During testing, the terminal's compatibility with various mobile wallet apps is assessed, ensuring that the payment process remains smooth and consistent across different platforms. EMV L2 kernel testing also focuses on secure data transfer, validating encryption methods and cryptographic protocols to safeguard sensitive information during mobile payment transactions.

By integrating mobile payment capabilities into their payment terminals, businesses can cater to the growing demand for convenient and flexible payment options, enhancing the overall customer experience.

Biometric Authentication: Enhancing Security and Convenience
Biometric authentication is gaining momentum in the payment industry as an additional layer of security and convenience. EMV L2 kernel testing now emphasizes verifying the terminal's ability to authenticate users through biometric features such as fingerprint or facial recognition. Ensuring the accuracy and security of biometric authentication methods is crucial for a seamless and secure payment experience.

During testing, the payment terminal's biometric authentication capabilities are assessed for accuracy, reliability and resistance to spoofing attempts. The terminal's ability to capture and process biometric data securely is evaluated, ensuring that sensitive user information remains protected.

Biometric authentication offers several advantages, including enhanced security, improved user experience and reduced reliance on PINs or passwords. By incorporating biometric authentication into EMV Level 2 certified payment terminals, businesses can provide customers with a secure and convenient way to authorize transactions, reducing the risk of fraud and enhancing overall trust in the payment process.

EverExpanse customize the L2 kernel as per client requirements and support end to end implementation testing and certification for schemes like Mastercard, Visa, Amex, Discover, RuPay etc.

Staying informed about the EMV Level 2 certification process and the latest trends in EMV L2 kernel testing is crucial for payment terminal manufacturers and professionals in the payment industry. By embracing innovations and adhering to certification standards, businesses can provide secure and efficient payment solutions to customers. The continuous evolution of payment landscapes requires robust testing methodologies to ensure the integrity of payment transactions and protect against emerging threats. EMV Level 2 certification, along with the latest trends in kernel testing, paves the way for secure, convenient and future-ready payment terminals.