Is Your LiquorPOS System Ready for 2018 Credit Card Changes?

June 30, 2018 is the deadline for retailers to become compliant with the latest compliance standards.  Some processors have shutdown the older TLS connections already but those who have left that open will indeed have to shut it down by the end of June.  This may or may not affect you, so I’ve tried to summarize what you might need to do to be ready.  The basics:

WHAT IS TLS ANYWAY?  TLS is an acronym for “Transport Layer Security,” which is the protocol that allows digital devices (such as computers and phones) to communicate over the internet securely without the transmission being vulnerable to an outside audience.

WHY DO WE NEED TLS 1.2? The latest PCI compliance standards require that any site accepting credit card payments uses TLS 1.2 after June 30, 2018.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON’T UPGRADE TO TLS 1.2?  After June 30, 2018, it is quite possible you would not be able to process credit cards if your processor refuses the TLS 1.0 connection.

The Real Options:

1. If you use any version of LiquorPOS and process credit cards on a separate device NOT integrated with the point of sale, your processor has most likely long since updated your device and you should not have to do anything else. If you aren’t sure about this, a call to your processor will tell you if they need to change anything out.  You do not have to update LiquorPOS.
2. If you use a current version of LiquorPOS (5.3) and the PAX S300 units you are all set and need to make no changes.
3. If you use a current version of LiquorPOS (5.3) and a current version of the Heartland CardSRVR (02.01.0.341– bring up the CardSRVR and go to Help and About to check this) you are all set and need to make no changes – though it would not hurt to consider adding the PAX S300 units to your system and being able to handle chip cards 😊!
4. If you are running LiquorPOS 5.2 with the older Mercury CardSRVR, this version of the CardSRVR does not use a TLS connection but a more secure encrypted transmission so while you might consider upgrading to accept chips cards and meet PCI Compliance Standards you are not obliged to change anything to continue processing.
5. If you are running LiquorPOS 5.2 and the older Heartland CardSRVR you need to upgrade to the latest version of LiquorPOS and the CardSRVR to be certain to continue processing without interruption.

As always, anytime you are obliged to make any changes to your credit card processing is a good moment to evaluate your hardware and rates and make sure you are comfortable with the arrangements you have made for your store.  The PAX S300 EMV/Signature Capture Devices are working very nicely with the current versions of LiquorPOS and integrate seamlessly to a number of processors which gives you options if you are not currently satisfied with your rates or processor.

I’ll be happy to help you take a closer look at your situation if you give me a call or shoot me an email.

Have a great weekend!!