The Four Corners Model for Card Payment Security and Key Management

The Four Corners Model for Card Payment Security and Key Management

The “Four Corners” model, also called the “Four Party Scheme”, is utilized in almost all standard card payment systems across the globe. Here, we talk about that model and explain what kind of hardware security module (HSM) is needed for each of its components involved in the cryptographic process.

EMV Payment Security - Acquirers

EMV Payment Security - Acquirers

In the “four corner model”, acquirers are apparently the less active party as their role seems ‘only’ to forward the transaction flow originating from the merchant to and from the issuer. In the model, the acquirer is the merchant’s bank.

EMV Payment Security - Merchants

EMV Payment Security - Merchants

 

Merchants are one of the corners of the ‘four corner’ model in the payment world. In what follows, we will explain some of the security mechanisms for Merchants to prevent unauthorized transactions and payment card fraud.

EMV Payment Security - Issuers

EMV Payment Security - Issuers

An issuer is one of the corners in the ‘four corner’ model. An issuer is a financial organization (e.g. a bank) that produces payment cards and allows the cardholders to use them.

EMV Payment Security - Cardholders

EMV Payment Security - Cardholders

Cardholders (or consumers) are one of the corners of the ‘four corner’ model in the payment card world. Here we take a brief look at the payment security in relation to cardholders.