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When ordering a payment processing terminal or pin pad, you may be asked what injection key needs to be injected. Here is a simple explanation of what those keys are and why you may or may not need them.

Not to be confused with EMV Terminal Application and Firmware Programming, TDES Injection Keys serve to provide secure Debit Card Pin processing.  TDES Injection Keys came before the EMV Chip-and-Pin and Chip-and-Signature technologies.  It is an older established standard.

Cross Processor Compatiblity

The practical implication of this is: the same pin pad can be used across all processors, only if the business does not accept debit cards. Otherwise, the pin pad needs to be shipped back to the authorized dealer, equipped for injection of keys, whenever the business changes the clearing house/processor/ISO.

HINT: if your business does not accept DEBIT CARDS, save money by not injecting TDES Keys into your payment processing pin pads and terminals! EMV Chip-and-Pin and Chip-and-Signature does not require TDES Injection Keys.