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Integrated security during ATM servicing

The vulnerability of South African ATMs is in the spotlight; and it is becoming evident that branch security means ATM security.

Although a lot of attention is on skimming and card fraud in general, protecting bank staff and CIT crews before and while ATMs are being serviced remains top priority.

GE Security has designed an alarm control panel with integrated access control that has the flexibility to support the existing security strategy. Whether relying on trained banking staff or outsourcing to a cash in transit company, the ATS Master allows a replenishment procedure to be developed, which suits the specific requirements and circumstances.

The ATS Master panel with its combination of intrusion detection, access control and digital video surveillance contains all the features and flexibility to ensure that all bank security procedures are meticulously followed. The system is designed to handle normal routine, exceptions and emergency scenarios.

The ATS8300 graphics package is part of a series of products that integrates intrusion, access control, CCTV and fire, combining devices from several locations in one system. ATS8300 puts the guard or customer in control of the premises, by providing graphical floor plans and icons, alarm monitoring and acknowledgement, realtime access control and live/recorded video.

Solutions have been developed for standalone ATM kiosks - since they require a different approach to the ATM built in the self-banking area of a bank branch.

For those much more vulnerable units, GE Security created a solution that is small enough to be built-in. Information provided by seismic sensors, opening and tamper contacts - and by the ATM machine - will trigger an alarm that can be sent over the network and wireless via GPRS. A video clip from the event captured by miniature cameras can also be sent.

"We believe that the correct training for the people who will be responsible for operating and configuring your system is crucial to its successful operation. In addition, we make the commitment to be available to provide any support to security system integrators that is needed," says Lauren Sher, GE Security's country manager for South Africa.

"Locally, ATM crime spans a number of types: from card fraud and theft, to the recent trend towards planting explosives at the ATM before robbing it.

"This means that we have a crucial need to protect staff and equipment at vulnerable periods - for example, when they are being serviced. Security solutions need to be both flexible and comprehensive to cover these eventualities; which is what we believe we have in the flexible and fully-integrated ATS Master solution."

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