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Restaurant POS Security

Encryption, PCI compliance & EMV compatibility keep your data safe

While no operating system is 100% secure, our iPad restaurant POS gets pretty darn close. And if you’re worried about POS security issues, we understand. After all, your clients trust you with critical personal data – and you trust us to keep it all safe from harm.

Upserve’s focus on security extends through everything we do – from annual PCI compliance assessments, to employing a team of security experts – our system aims to lead the industry in Payments, POS, and Data security standards and best practices.

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Cloud-based POS security

Using a cloud-based restaurant POS system in your restaurant is one of the most important safeguards you can take against data theft. If an on-premise, local POS software claims to boast top-tier security, that’s a red flag to us.

When an app operates in the cloud, its exposure to potentially corrupted hardware is greatly limited. The cloud works as an enclosed system that keeps your information and data safe. Plus, POS providers are ethically and financially obligated to maintain high security levels whenever they’re sending data to the cloud. So once data gets sent off, its constantly monitored and analyzed for suspicious activity and attacks from hackers.

Upserve is enabled with top-tier encryption and security that keeps customer information safe from prying eyes. It’s also important to note that cloud-based systems are always safe – even when they go offline.

Upserve Restaurant POS Terminal Accepting Payments

End-to-end encryption

End-to-end data encryption, also known as point-to-point encryption, is another element that should be on your POS security checklist. As soon as a card is swiped, the credit card data is encrypted by our purpose built swiper and reader, regardless if the device is operating connected to the cloud or if the Upserve POS is operating in Offline Mode.

As the data is handled by the Upserve POS and transmitted to the Upserve secure payments systems and the card banks, it’s always encrypted to ensure security. Encrypted data can only be decrypted by Upserve’s secure systems such as the Upserve Gateway.

This ensures that card data is always secure, regardless if the transaction happens by a swipe or though our HTTPS online ordering portal.

“Upserve has far exceeded my expectations. User friendly and current information on nearly every facet of this business.”

Dan Clothier

Tokenization

As a card is swiped for payments on the Upserve POS, the system replaces all sensitive data with unique identification symbols that retain all the card data without actually using the credit card info. This process is called tokenization.

From here, any transmission of the “card data” would be replaced by a unique token that’s only valid with the restaurant where payment was accepted. This token is what’s transmitted to the payment processor – the only place where the token can be de-tokenized and authorized for payment. Because the token is only readable by Upserve, if the POS system is hacked or the information is intercepted in transmission, there’s no way to link back the token to the original credit card account.

EMV transactions

EMV compliance may seem like a headache at first. But in reality, POS security really isn’t complete without it. When a POS system isn’t EMV compliant, you could face a chargeback fine for swiping a chipped card instead of dipping it.

Fighting every single chargeback is even more of a headache, especially if you’re a restaurant or bar that faces these situations often. The solution? Opt for Upserve POS’s fully-integrated EMV solution and keep fraudulent charges at bay.

Combined with point-to-point encryption, Tokenization, and our purpose-built EMV reader, Upserve is leading the industry in POS and payment security.

PCI compliance

PCI compliance is an absolute must. Unless you’re willing to experience a POS security breach, it’s important to know how an iPad-enabled restaurant POS can keep transactions secure.

All merchants who use process payments need to adhere to PCI compliance – a set of standards that must be applied to any system that stores, processes, or transmits credit card data.

Why is PCI compliance important?

From the consumer perspective, following PCI compliance helps keep personal card information from security breaches. Being certified in this area also assures patrons that you care about personal data security.

No matter what size of restaurant you own, adhering to PCI compliance rules protects you from fines and financial penalties that could potentially damage your reputation – and your bottom line. For example, not complying with PCI could entail:

Large fines from credit card companies, such as VISA and MasterCard
Reimbursement for purchases made using stolen cards
Replacement of stolen credit cards
Higher fees from banks and lenders you work with

POS security questions? Get in touch

If you have more questions or concerns regarding our security policy, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Fill out the form below or give us a call at 855-664-3887.

Upserve Support Employee Assisting with call on laptop

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