Method and system for detection of tampering and verifying authenticity of a 'data capture' data from a value dispensing system

A method for a data center to process usage data comprising:

• receiving a first audit record, a second audit record and the usage data, the first audit record including at least one register value at a start of the audit period and a first digital signature, the second audit record including the at least one register value at an end of the audit period and a second digital signature;
• verifying the first and second digital signatures;
• and
• if the first and second digital signatures verify, reconciling at least a portion of the usage data with the at least one register value included in the audit records.

A data center to process usage data comprising:

• means for receiving a first audit record, a second audit record and the usage data, the first audit record including at least one register value at a start of the audit period and a first digital signature, the second audit record including the at least one register value at an end of the audit period and a second digital signature;
• means for verifying the first and second digital signatures;
• and
• if the first and second digital signatures verify, means for reconciling at least a portion of the usage data with the at least one register value included in the audit records.

A value dispensing system comprising:

• means for generating a first audit record at a start of an audit period, the first audit record including at least one register value at the start of the audit period and a first digital signature;
• means for logging the usage data for the audit period;
• and
• means for generating a second audit record at an end of the audit period, the second audit record including the lat least one register value at the end of the audit period and a second digital signature.