Deloitte, Visa and Barclaycard are testing a corporate
credit card that allows workers to connect securely to corporate
networks.
The credit card has a built-in screen and keypad but is the same
size as a normal card and feels the same.
The card allows businesspeople to access corporate IT systems
through a virtual private network. It provides
two-factor authentication through a one-time pass code
generated after the user types in a Pin.
It has the usual functionality of a credit card -
chip and
Pin, ATM and swipe card reader compatibility.
Up to 500 cardholders are using the cards in a pilot for three
months from April 2009.
Having your one-time password generator for the VPN built into
your cash card will make it less likely to be lost, said Stephen
Ley, partner at Deloitte. It is also less cumbersome than carrying
around multiple security tokens and one-off password generators for
different jobs.
If successful, the technology could be taken up by
businesses.
Deloitte developed the technology with EMUE Technologies.
"The reason Barclaycard and Visa are running this trial is
because they are considering rolling it out to their corporate
customers," said Ley.
Uses of the card:
- Cash card for ATM transactions
- Credit card that works in a chip and Pin reader
- Swipe card reader-compatible
- Pass code generator for secure VPN access
- Compatible with Verified by Visa purchase authentication
- Can authenticate a bank user online or over the
phone.