Abstract: Example embodiments of the systems and methods of card reader protection disclosed herein combine motorization technology with payment card industry (PCI) protection technology. In an example embodiment, access to the card is protected by a mesh grid inside a printed circuit board (PCB). In one embodiment, there are five mesh grid walls in total. A secure signal is used to transmit data. The data is transmitted along traces embedded within the circuit boards. When a signal trace extends from one layer of the PCB to a second layer, the traces on the separate layers are connected with a via hole that extends between the layers and electrically connects traces on different layers. In an example embodiment, one or more of the boards fit together with slot joints. The vias are positioned in the board such that they are hidden due to the slot joint configuration.