Cryptography for Payment Professionals

Cryptography is essential in modern solutions, especially in payments, but it remains a black box for most users. This book is intended for technical people with some background in software engineering who may need to deal with a cryptographic algorithm in the payments realm. It covers major cryptographic algorithms and the principles of their operation, as well as the cryptographic aspects of card-present and online transactions. The code related to the book is available on GitHub.

Format: Hardback
Length: 186 pages
Publication date: 10 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Cryptography is a crucial component in modern solutions, particularly in the realm of payments. However, despite its importance, cryptographic algorithms often remain a mystery to most users of these tools. Just as a skilled backend developer avoids delving into the low-level intricacies of server file systems, payments professionals have a multitude of concerns to address before they even contemplate debugging encrypted values or message digests. Nevertheless, at some point, an engineer may encounter the need to identify and resolve issues with a specific algorithm or even develop testing tools to emulate counterparts in encryption-enabled protocols.

The landscape of cryptography has undergone a remarkable transformation. Technical standards abound, encompassing a plethora of acronyms and references to additional standards, some of which can be substantial in size while others may require payment. After identifying the relevant standards for the desired algorithm, it becomes essential to ascertain the specific mode of operation employed. Most implementations utilize a combination of cryptographic primitives, such as key derivation with a block cipher, which generates a secret that is combined with a hash function and double padding scheme to create a digital signature for a base64-encoded value. Grasping this intricate concept necessitates a thorough exploration of online resources, a diligent reading of platform and library documentation, and, ultimately, the ability to write code, accompanied by a limited number of test cases to validate its functionality.

Cryptography for Payment Professionals is designed with technical individuals, preferably with a foundation in software engineering, in mind. It does not delve into the depths of payment technology or provide an extensive overview of various regulations and security standards. Instead, it focuses solely on cryptography, providing a comprehensive guide for those who may encounter cryptographic algorithms in the payments domain. Whether you are a seasoned professional or a newcomer to the field, this book offers valuable insights and practical techniques to navigate the complexities of cryptography and ensure the security of your digital transactions.

Weight: 426g
Dimension: 162 x 242 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032442747