Improving Security In Cashless Application

Project and Seminar Material for Computer Science Education

Chapter One

Introduction

1.1 Background to the Study

The Cashless application policy implies an economy in which transactions can be conducted without the use of physical cash in the exchange, purchase and sale of goods and services through the use of debit card, credit card to facilitate such transactions. .This is a policy initiative of the central bank of Nigeria aimed to further improve the financial sector of the economy. However it is expected that the implementation shall receive commendation from the end users (Ejiro, 2012). The CBN regulations regarding the cashless policy provides a daily cumulative limit of N150, 000 and N1, 000,000 on free cash withdrawals and lodgments by corporate and individual customers respectively in the Lagos State beginning from March 30, 2012. Consequently the regulations stipulate a service charge for any cash transaction above the CBN provides cashless policy guideline involving Individuals and corporate organizations. Also cheques drafted for a 3rd party above N150, 000 shall be received through the clearing house and not be eligible for encashment over the counter with effect from January 1, 2012. This therefore required that All Nigerian banks cease cash in transit lodgment services rendered to merchant-customers from January 1, 2012. The cashless application policy also provided for easy transfer of funds through the use of information technology thereby reducing waste of time in the bank. The implementation of cashless policy began in Lagos State, Nigeria. This is because of the high volume of business and financial transaction in Lagos state according to Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN, 2011) . It is believed that its full implementation shall cut down the cost of maintaining cash based economy. The research seek to proffer an investigation on improving security in cashless application.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The CBN cash policy implementation implies a reduction in physical cash transaction and more dependence on technologies provided for the purpose. But the nature of the Nigerian economy poses a great challenge as to the security of financial transaction conducted over the ATM and the use of other technologies and facility provided for the cashless policy implementations. Many cases of fund loss have been recorded concerning ATM transactions and the use of other technologies. Also the poor level of illiteracy, communication network and internet facility poses further challenge to the effective and safe implementation of the cashless policy. The use of credit cards and debit cards often do not meet customer cash needs and the security situation around the facility had in recent times brought under security challenge. Consequently the

Problem confronting the research is to proffer an appraisal on improving security in cashless application

1.3 Objectives of the Study

To proffer an appraisal on improving security in cashless application

1.4 Research Questions

What is cashless application?
What is the requirement for improving security in cashless application?

1.5 Significance of the Study

The study shall proffer appraisal on the requirement for improving security in cashless application

1.6 Research Hypothesis

Ho The security challenges in cashless application is low
Hi The security challenges in cashless application is high

1.7 Scope of the Study

The study focuses on the appraisal on improving security in cashless application

1.8 Limitations of the Study

The study was confronted by some constraints including logistics and geographical factor.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Access Products

Products that allow consumers to access traditional payment instrument electronically, generally from remote locations

ATM Card

An ATM card (also known as a bank card, client card, key card, or cash card) is a payment card provided by a financial institution to its customers which enables the customer to use an automated teller machine (ATM) for transactions such as: deposits, cash withdrawals, obtaining account information, and other types of banking transactions, often through interbank networks.

CBN

Central Bank of Nigeria.

Chip Card

Also known as an integrated circuit (IC) Card. A card containing one or more computers chips or integrated circuits for identification, data storage or special purpose processing used to validate personal identification numbers, authorize purchases, verify account balances and store personal records.

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)

The transfer of information between organizations in machine readable form.

Electronic Money

Monetary value measured in currency units stored in electronic form on an electronic device in the consumer’s possession. This electronic value can be purchased and held on the device until reduced through purchase or transfer.

Internet Banking

This is a product that enables the Bank leverage on the Internet Banking System Module in-built on the new Banking Application (BANKS) implemented by the Bank to serve the Internet Banking needs of the Bank’s customers.

Mobile Banking

This is a product that offers Customers of a Bank to access services as you go. Customer can make their transactions anywhere such as account balance, transaction enquiries, stop checks, and other customer’s service instructions, Balance Inquiry, Account Verification, Bill Payment, Electronic fund transfer, Account Balances, updates and history, Customer service via mobile, Transfer between accounts etc.

Payment System

A financial system that establishes that means for transferring money between suppliers and of fund, usually by exchanging debits or Credits between financial institutions.

Point Of Sale (POS) Machine

A Point-of-Sale machine facilitates customer payment, withdrawals , fund transfer needs and the provision of credit/debit Balance Inquiry, Airtime Vending, Loyalty Redemption, Printing mini statement etc.

Smart Card

A Card which is embedded with a computer chip, on which financial health, educational, and security information can be stored and processed.

Transaction Alert

The transaction alert is to provide for the tracking of customer debit and credit transactions on their accounts. The alert system also informs the customer other financial transaction of the bank involving the customer.

Western Union Money Transfer (WUMT)

This is a facility which enables the transfer of money from foreign countries into the country. This is a facility used by business men, families and relatives for the transfer of money to their counterparts.

Chapter Five

Conclusion and Recommendations

5.1 Conclusion

Generally, the success of the cashless payment system policy will no doubt help resolve the national security challenges facing the nation. The national security is threatened by so many activities revealing information on economic, financial and monetary movement activities. Issues of national security that thrives on the use of cash for transaction are multivariant and multifunctional which has been discussed in this study.

The cashless payment system is very beneficial and appears to be the next best alternative for all Nigerians in order to accelerate the economic growth and development. Even though there is no system in the world that can guarantee a 100% security, all parties concerned should put measures in place to provide reasonable assurance that the huge benefits of a cashless payment system will be realized in the shortest possible time and with minimal cost and casualties.

5.2 Recommendations

Based on the foregoing, the study hereby make the following recommendations to solve the problems confronting the implementation of cashless payment system in Nigeria, and if these issues are resolved then the cashless payment system would really help serve as a panacea for the national security challenges in Nigeria.

Infrastructural position of the country is bad especially power/energy without which the IT infrastructure cannot work efficiently, so the government should put up a good infrastructural facility in the country.
A concerted effort should be made towards arresting the ever increasing level of corruption even with the advent of IT, through good and effective security system.
There is also the need for proper implementation of a risked based information security strategy for both financial and non-financial institutions.
There should be proper configuration of POS/ATMs and IT system to make the cashless policy more users friendly.
There should be more aggressive enlightenment programme to enable end users to be educated and well informed about the system of cashless payment system.
There should be independent security experts to perform a security health check of IT infrastructure and POS/ATM devices, complying with baseline standards from the regulators and continuous security to cope with the dynamic nature of the online world.