VARs authenticate Visa Emue trial

On the cards: Visa's new Emue credit cards will feature two-factor authentification technology

The decision by Visa to trial a code-generating credit card could help drive the uptake of two-factor authentication technology in the UK, according to channel players.

Visa hopes its new Emue card, which is currently being trialled by Deloitte, will help curb the spiralling level of card-not-present fraud.

The technology uses an alphanumeric display and keypad built into a corporate credit card.

Ian Kilpatrick, chairman of security distributor Wick Hill, said the move was “four years too late”, but would raise awareness of two-factor authentication among consumers and therefore business.

“This will increase awareness of the kinds of technology you need for authentication and will drive adoption rates,” he said.

Visa’s approach contrasts with that of rival MasterCard, which recently launched its contactless PayPass technology.

James Baker, senior account manager at security distributor Softek, said Visa and MasterCard are heading in opposite directions. Softek partners with authentication vendor DeepNet, which Baker said has an “Emue-style’ card in its portfolio.

“Visa is going the right way about this,” he said. “This highlights
the real need for two-factor authentication within organisations large and small.
“MasterCard’s PayPass is something of a regression. What it has done is lowered security to increase consumer ease of use and convenience.”