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Keep your eyes on the money

A surprising 84% of all retail payments are made in cash, which means that retailers, shopping malls and business parks are left with a substantial chunk of cash to handle at the end of each day. While automated cash handling systems and electronic cash vaults have eliminated a number of the risks associated with handling, counting and storing cash on-premises, there’s still the issue of what happens to that cash when it needs to be transported.

Cash-in-transit heists still a risk

While cash-in-transit heists seem to have fallen in frequency in recent years, the risk is still high. It’s not enough to merely have GPS tracking on cash-in-transit vehicles, as security measures here need to be proactive.

Despite the fact that cash-in-transit heists are a very real risk, the security measures taken to protect cash during transit need not be complicated. Obvious security measures in this regard include that the transport of cash is undertaken in an armoured vehicle, by authorised security personnel. The vehicle used to transport cash should not only be armoured, but armed with CCTV surveillance technology as well.

Such a system is effective in its simplicity as it enables remote monitoring of the vehicle making use of GSM networks with bandwidth requirements as low as 8 Kpbs (kilobits per second), with the added functionality of on-board recording should footage be required later for evidentiary purposes. Using cellular and wireless technology, live video is streamed (and recorded) from vehicles to a remote control centre and built-in GPS support linked to cameras means that the operator is always aware of the location of the vehicle. Furthermore, the fact that this system utilises GSM networks (GPRS, Edge, 3G, UMTS etc), means that coverage does not depend on being within 3G network areas, giving greater peace of mind when travelling into more remote locations around the country.

Remote monitoring from all angles

A CCTV monitor is installed in the cab of the armoured vehicle to enable the driver to view all around the vehicle, as well as have sight of the secure area, so that the driver can have eyes on where the money is as well as any potential risks around the vehicles. This in-vehicle monitoring system also comes with built-in Wi-Fi to enable wireless backup of stored video to the server when the vehicle returns to headquarters after each trip, where it can be viewed later, if necessary.

A remote monitoring system like this allows users to integrate all communication modes, including both audio and video feed from within the vehicle, which allows the control room operators to dispatch reaction units and call for back-up if the vehicle crew is in danger.

For those scenarios where the transport of cash needs to take place on foot rather than by vehicle, a similar system with one camera and two-way audio can be used.

This takes the form of a tactical jacket for guards collecting the cash boxes from stores or, for example, servicing ATMs and automated ticket machines. This monitoring system will provide video verification of the guard’s movements, and serves to provide evidentiary footage of any incident that might occur. Given that bandwidth is normally a restricting factor on mobile digital video recorders (DVRs), it’s important to ensure that the monitoring system chosen is one that offers access video in low bandwidth environments, in light of the fact that mobile network coverage is erratic on the roads.

When it comes to security, we’ve found that the simple measures are often the most effective. The key to keeping your eyes on the money at all times, lies with remote CCTV monitoring and by integrating communications and response strategies, it becomes that much easier to effectively secure cash in transit.

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