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Security and quality of service

A centralised video surveillance system from Dahua Technology, involving more than 5000 cameras, installed at over 850 branches of Bank Alfalah, one of the top commercial banks in Pakistan. Vital International completed the installation.

Images from all cameras are recorded in real time onto Dahua NVRs at each branch, while images from six cameras at each branch are sent to a command and control centre in Karachi, which is manned 24/7, and where images are recorded onto 24-bay embedded video storage systems.

The bank branches were suffering thefts, robbery and vandalism, particularly in relation to their ATMs. The lack of a centralised system meant that bank branches were not performing to their capacity and were unable to monitor the branches in real time. In addition, the lack of recording capacity meant that there was no video evidence of incidents, such as thefts, robbery and vandalism, at branches.

Dahua Technology solution

The command and control centre features a 3 x 8 video wall featuring 55-inch modular video wall display units, workstation monitors and other Dahua equipment. Centralised recording on 24-bay embedded video storage systems, using Dahua Enterprise 8 TB hard disk drives, is stored for 60 days and ensures against data losses at branch level.

A range of 2-series dome and bullet cameras, as well as discreet, vandal-resistant pinhole cameras for ATMs, are managed via Dahua’s DSS video management software. The number of cameras per branch varies, but on average, each branch is equipped with 16 cameras.

Staff at the command and control centre monitor images during business hours, while outside those hours, the cameras’ built-in motion detection capabilities alert staff about potential incidents. The command and control centre has two roles: security monitoring, staffed by six operators at a time, and a service-monitoring department, which monitors service quality during bank opening hours.

Also installed at some branches are Dahua’s time & attendance and access control units in restricted areas such as cash vaults.

Benefits of centralised control

One of the main benefits for Bank Alfalah is having a centralised video surveillance and monitoring system for banking operations. Robberies and ATM thefts have reduced after installation of the surveillance system. The ATM cameras include skimming detection devices, which automatically alert the control centre to attempts at skimming fraud. Bank staff performance and customer service has been enhanced by the introduction of the centralised surveillance system, as has the general safety and security of bank personnel.

The management of Bank Alfalah is pleased with the new system and the benefits for the bank. Dahua provided the entire solution from the front-end cameras and NVRs, through to the software platform, video storage and display, demonstrating its strength in the global banking and finance sector.

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