With the recent world events, security and security technology have moved to the forefront. In the financial transactions sector, security has become a major component of any system. Because of the amount of money transported throughout the world on a daily basis, security in all parts of the transaction process is required.

Firewall protection is a key feature of Hypercom HyperWare system software. This application specifies a separate application for each card type with its own unique set of initialization data tables. The benefit of such a system is that changes can be made to the application for one card type without changing the applications for any other card types.

HyperSafe is the efficient, cost-effective and highly secure operating system delivering Secure Load firewall protection, multi-tasking and multi-application functionality, EMV chip card capabilities, PIN pad security, built-in HTML/HTTP Web browser and integrated printer services. HyperSafe is a complete solution for protecting against ever-increasing levels of fraud and includes file authentication hashing and encryption techniques that make it impossible for applications to be loaded or executed without the appropriate proof of authenticity.

An optional feature called Secure Program Loading allows the processor to guarantee that only authorized code is loaded into the terminal. This ensures the software is correctly downloaded into the terminal.

A Data Encryption Standard (DES) key is loaded into the terminal, and a Secure Hashing Algorithm (SHA) 160-bit Message Digest is generated for each page of the software. That Message Digest is signed using the Message Authentication Code (MAC) method and the DES key and then inserted into the load file.