PINFORMED

PINFORMED is a collaborative initiative focused on the security, privacy, and usability of personal identification numbers (PINs) in modern financial and digital contexts. The project seeks to harmonize PIN-related practices across banks, merchants, and mobile payment providers, with aims including reducing PIN misuse, facilitating secure PIN creation and storage, and educating users about PIN hygiene. PINFORMED operates as a standards and knowledge platform rather than an enforcement body.

The initiative emerged in the early 2010s as a network of financial institutions, payment processors, regulators, and cybersecurity researchers. It is governed by a rotating board drawn from member organizations and independent researchers. Participating groups contribute research, draft guidelines, and pilot projects. The organization emphasizes transparency, reproducibility, and privacy by design, seeking broad consensus before endorsing any standard.

Core outputs include PIN security guidelines, threat models for PIN-based channels, and a certification scheme for devices and software that handle PINs. It also maintains educational materials for consumers and professionals, runs periodic audits of PIN practices among members, and hosts an annual conference to share findings and coordinate interoperability efforts across payment networks.

PINFORMED has influenced industry standards and regulatory discussions related to PIN handling, device security, and fraud prevention. Critics argue that participating guidelines may impose compliance costs or constrain user convenience. Proponents note that adoption across institutions can reduce fraud and improve user trust. The initiative continues to publish updates as new threats and technologies emerge.