A payment terminal extracts data from magnetic stripes, smart card chips, or near-field communication antennas to authorize financial transactions. The hardware typically includes a secure microcontroller, a keypad or display for user input, and an encrypted communication link to a payment processor. Engineers design these units with strict physical security features, such as tamper-detection meshes that instantly wipe sensitive memory if the casing is forced open.
We need to update the firmware on the payment terminal before it can process the new contactless cards.
Designers must comply with strict PCI security standards, which dictate both the logical encryption and the physical anti-tamper mechanisms required inside the casing.
Also heard as
- POS terminal
- credit card machine
Related terms
Touch screen
An electronic visual display that detects the presence and location of a touch within its viewing area.
Microcontroller
A compact integrated circuit designed to govern a specific operation in an embedded system.
Magnetic strip
A band of magnetic material used to store digital data on cards and tickets.