Preparedness for making payments at points of sale
The payment system in Norway is efficient and secure, and serious disruptions are rarely experienced at points of sale (POS) in Norway. However, problems can occur despite having secure solutions and established business continuity arrangements. To ensure that your POS can receive customer payments even when regular payment solutions do not function as they should, Norges Bank recommends the following contingency measures:
Multiple card solutions
In order to have a backup solution when one specific card solution does not function, your payment terminal should support multiple card solutions via both physical and digital payment cards.
Payment terminal alternatives
Alternative payment methods function as a backup solution when customers cannot make terminal-based card payments. Examples of alternative payment methods include the generation of payment requests using QR codes and mobile apps.
Offline payments
Offline payments function as a backup solution when there is no contact with central payment infrastructure. Payments will be sent from the payment terminal once contact is re-established.
Backup cash register systems
Independent backup solutions for both cash register systems and payment terminals provide a fallback option when regular cash register systems do not work.
Cash
Cash payments provide backup when other payment solutions are unavailable. Consumers have a statutory right to pay with cash at a POS. Both regular cash register systems and backup cash register systems must therefore support cash payments. A POS should also have some change available for both types of system.
General preparedness supports payment preparedness
In some scenarios, the effectiveness of the preparedness measures above will depend on more general preparedness measures also being in place. In line with general recommendations from DSB (in Norwegian only), you should also consider the following preparedness measures:
Alternative lines of communication
Potential access to several lines of communication for cash register systems and payment terminals provides a POS with backup solutions if the direct line of communication is unavailable.
Emergency power supply
Although backup solutions for communication, cash register systems and payment terminals can be powered by batteries for a limited time, other functions may require an emergency power supply.
Contingency plans and exercises
Effective contingency solutions depend on employees at a POS knowing how they should respond. A well-rehearsed contingency plan is a key part of risk mitigation.
