WASHINGTON – As the October 1 EMV deadline approaches, after which time merchants with non-EMV-compliant card readers may become liable for security breaches, the payment system is top-of-mind for many retailers. While EMV is being touted as a more secure payment system, it is still not perfect. (Read the NACS Magazine article “Half Covered” for more on the issues behind EMV integration.) Becoming familiar with the technology behind EMV is a key first step for retailers to plan for a transition to the new payment system.

For merchants to best prepare for the EMV transition, it is essential to understand what exactly an EMV transaction is, and how it differs from the familiar swipe transaction. Conexxus is hosting a free webinar on Thursday, February 19, from 12 – 1:20 pm (EST) covering “A Deeper Dive into EMV.” Speakers Bruce Murray, president & co-founder of B2 Processing Solutions; and Phil Schwartz, manager IS for Valero Energy Corporation, will lead a presentation addressing relevant topics such as:

• What goes on between the chip card and the payment terminal?
• What is a cryptogram and how does it secure the transaction?

Following the hour-long presentation, there will be a 20-minute Q&A session for participants to ask the questions that are most relevant to their business model.

“A Deeper Dive Into EMV” is the third in a series of free webinars hosted by Conexxus. The inaugural webinar in June, “The 411 of EMV” provided an introductory overview of what EMV is and what it means for retailers. An October webinar, “Security in Mobile Payments,” gave participants a strong understanding of the challenges in the ever-changing mobile environment.

Don’t miss out on a valuable opportunity to learn about the technology behind EMV and best prepare your business. Register now for the free webinar or email Carl Bayer with Conexxus for more information.

Conexxus, formerly PCATS, addresses technology standards to improve business processes, reduce costs and increase productivity for the convenience and fuel retailing industry. For more information on how you can get involved visit conexxus.org. The Conexxus Annual Meeting is taking place in Annapolis, Maryland, April 26-30. Meeting attendees will have the valuable opportunity to help create technology solutions that will affect the industry for years to come.