Secure Credit Card Detokenization Solutions
Securely Store Card Data. Access It When Needed. Send It Where Your Business Needs It.
Your business needs more than a secure place to store credit card information. It needs the ability to access and use that information when required for everyday operations, third-party integrations and specialized business processes.
HostedPCI provides secure credit card detokenization solutions that allow businesses to retrieve original cardholder information through an API or deliver it directly to authorized third-party systems.
By combining secure card vaulting, tokenization and detokenization, HostedPCI helps organizations protect sensitive payment data without restricting how it can be used within their business workflows.
As a PCI DSS Level 1 Service Provider, HostedPCI provides the infrastructure to securely collect, store and manage payment card information while supporting controlled access to the original Primary Account Number (PAN).
What Is Credit Card Detokenization?
Credit card detokenization is the process of retrieving original payment card information associated with a previously generated token.
When a business collects credit card information through HostedPCI, the original card details can be stored within HostedPCI’s secure payment vault. A token is generated to reference that information, allowing businesses to perform supported operations without repeatedly handling the actual card number.
However, certain business processes require the original PAN rather than a token.
Detokenization enables businesses to retrieve or deliver the stored card information when required for an approved operation.
For example, a business may collect and store a customer’s credit card details through HostedPCI but need to provide that information to an external platform to complete a booking or other transaction.
Rather than maintaining cardholder data across multiple systems, the business can use HostedPCI to deliver the required information to its intended destination.
Detokenization Options That Fit Your Business Workflows
Businesses have different requirements for accessing stored payment card information. HostedPCI supports two primary methods of detokenization.
API-Based Credit Card Detokenization
HostedPCI’s detokenization API allows businesses to retrieve original cardholder information through an authorized API request.
This option supports organizations that need access to stored payment details within their own specialized business processes.
Common applications include:
- Internal systems requiring original card information.
- Custom software integrations.
- Specialized payment and operational workflows.
- Applications that cannot work directly with tokens.
Access permissions help businesses control who can request stored card information, while audit logging provides a record of detokenization activity.
Direct Card Data Delivery to Third Parties
Some businesses need to provide credit card information to an external service provider without receiving the original card details within their own applications.
HostedPCI supports direct delivery of stored card information from its secure vault to authorized third-party destinations.
With direct delivery, the card number is sent from HostedPCI’s vault to the authorized destination without passing through the merchant’s application.
This approach can help reduce unnecessary handling of sensitive payment information within the merchant’s environment while supporting the requirements of external platforms.
Direct delivery is particularly useful when a third-party system requires original card information to complete an authorized business operation.
How Businesses Use HostedPCI Detokenization
Detokenization supports organizations that need secure storage combined with access to original card information for specific business requirements.
Travel and Hospitality
Travel agencies, booking platforms and hospitality businesses may need to provide card information to external reservation, booking or property management systems.
HostedPCI can support integrations where an authorized external system requires the original card number rather than a stored token.
Third-Party Business Integrations
Businesses often rely on external platforms or service providers to complete transactions and operational processes.
HostedPCI enables stored card details to be retrieved or delivered to authorized destinations, helping businesses support these integrations without maintaining separate card storage systems.
Custom Applications and Internal Workflows
Certain applications require the original PAN to complete a business process.
HostedPCI’s API-based detokenization allows organizations to integrate card retrieval into supported internal applications and custom workflows.
Legacy System Compatibility
Businesses may operate established platforms that are not designed to accept tokenized payment information.
Detokenization can support integration with these systems when original card details are required, without requiring businesses to maintain the primary card vault within their own infrastructure.
Specialized Card Data Delivery
Some businesses have unique requirements for where and how stored card information must be delivered.
HostedPCI can work with organizations to evaluate API retrieval or direct third-party delivery based on the receiving system and business requirements.
How HostedPCI Detokenization Works
HostedPCI combines secure card collection, tokenization, vaulting and detokenization within its payment infrastructure.
Step 1: Secure Card Collection
Payment card information is collected through a supported HostedPCI integration, such as an iframe or another approved collection method.
Step 2: Tokenization and Vaulting
The original card information is securely stored within HostedPCI’s payment vault. A token is generated to reference the stored card data for supported operations.
Step 3: Authorized Detokenization Request
When the original card information is needed, a detokenization request is submitted through the supported integration, subject to the applicable access permissions.
Step 4: Card Data Retrieval or Delivery
Depending on the configured workflow, HostedPCI can:
- Return the original card information through an API request.
- Deliver the card information directly to an authorized third-party destination.
Access Permissions and Audit Logging
HostedPCI supports user access permissions and audit logging to help control access to cardholder information and maintain records of detokenization activity.
Stored card information remains within HostedPCI’s vault according to the agreed retention settings.
Benefits of HostedPCI Credit Card Detokenization
Secure Centralized Card Storage
Maintain original credit card information within HostedPCI’s secure vault instead of storing it across multiple business systems.
Access Card Information When Required
Retrieve stored card details through an API when an approved business process requires the original PAN.
Direct Third-Party Delivery
Send card information directly to authorized external systems without routing the original PAN through your application.
Access Permissions
Control user access to card information through supported permission settings.
Audit Logging
Maintain records of detokenization activity to support monitoring and operational oversight.
Support Existing Business Processes
Integrate stored card information with established applications, external systems and specialized workflows.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between tokenization and detokenization?
Tokenization replaces sensitive cardholder information with a token that references the original data stored in a secure vault. Detokenization retrieves the original card information associated with that token when required for an authorized business process. Together, these technologies enable businesses to reduce routine exposure to cardholder data while retaining access when needed.
Can HostedPCI retrieve stored credit card information through an API?
Yes. HostedPCI supports API-based detokenization that allows original card information to be retrieved through a supported integration. This option is designed for businesses with applications or operational processes that require access to stored cardholder information.
Can HostedPCI send card information directly to a third party?
Yes. HostedPCI supports delivery of original card information directly from its vault to authorized third-party destinations. In this configuration, the card number does not need to pass through the merchant’s application, helping reduce unnecessary exposure within that application.
Who can access detokenized card information?
HostedPCI supports user access permissions to help businesses manage who is permitted to access stored card information. Access arrangements depend on the configured solution and the organization’s requirements.
Are detokenization requests logged?
Yes. HostedPCI supports audit logging for detokenization access and requests. These records help businesses review activity involving sensitive payment information and support operational oversight.
Does detokenization affect PCI DSS compliance?
It can. If original card information is returned to a merchant’s systems, those systems may become subject to additional PCI DSS requirements. Direct delivery to an authorized third-party destination can help limit unnecessary exposure, but the actual compliance scope depends on the integration architecture and how cardholder information is handled.
Can detokenization work with existing business applications?
Yes. HostedPCI supports API retrieval and direct third-party delivery for compatible workflows. The integration approach depends on whether the application needs to receive the original card information or whether the information can be delivered directly to another authorized system.
Credit Card Detokenization Designed Around Your Business
Your business should be able to securely store cardholder information while maintaining access to the original data when operations require it.
HostedPCI combines secure payment vaulting, tokenization, detokenization, access permissions and audit logging to support a range of business requirements.
Whether you need API-based card retrieval, direct data delivery to a third party or integration with an existing business application, our team can help you evaluate the appropriate solution.