Russia cannot do without Visa, MasterCard security system

The Russian national payment card system handles Visa and MasterCard online payments with 3D Secure technology, using services owned by these international payment systems, Russian newspaper Vedomosti reported, citing sources in the banking sector.

The Russian national payment card system (NPCS) is not able to provide ehnanced security of online transactions with the use of payment cards. Instead, NPCS is still using Visa and MasterCard's 3D Secure system, and has no plans to obtain a 3D Secure license.

3D Secure technology ensures security of e-payments. An identity verification is carried out by sending a dynamic code to a client's mobile phone. When a customer carries out a transaction using his card through a bank, which does not offer enhanced security, then the responsibility rests with the issuing bank that has issued the card to such customer.

However, most banks do have 3D Secure license since financial institutions seek to avoid additional risks that may arise when operating without such a license. The urgency of additional online security is attributed to the ever increasing number of online transactions.