Monday, June 06, 2022

ATM video surveillance: how to use all the capabilities of ATM security cameras

ATM surveillance

According to the European Safe Transaction Association (EAST), in 2018 the number of physical attacks on ATM machines in Europe increased by 27% (from 3,584 to 4,449 incidents), and the amount of money stolen this way increased by 16% (from 31 to 36 million Euro).

Our case analysis showed that despite having all the necessary tools, banks did not use their full functionality to prevent the crimes. For example, banks turned to atm surveillance video only to get information on transactions, although it provides many more benefits. The modern video surveillance solutions increase the basic level of self-service devices protection, provide proactive ATM protection, simplify access to video when resolving disputes, and optimize operating with large amounts of transaction data.

The bank must have a high-quality reliable network connection with its terminals, a dedicated server for storing data, and strict access control procedures to realize all these functions.

1. Real-time response to attacks
Modern ATM surveillance systems are capable of reporting incidents in real time. If attackers try to force a terminal, the bank’s security service receives an alarm notification and event footage and can respond immediately. Notice, that special alarm sensors should be installed on the ATM to realize this function.

The system can be configured so that the alarm notifications come to the mobile phone. In addition, you can set a scenario when any unlawful impact on an ATM occurs. Your scenario could close the doors to the space where the cash machine is located, send a signal to the police, and turn off the terminal.

When anyone covers the ATM security cameras or a hidden camera, the video surveillance system sends a notification to the bank’s security service. The officer can turn off the ATM, so that the criminals will not be able to copy information or install any malware on the ATM computer.

Thus, modern video surveillance systems are able to protect both from physical and a range of logical attacks. Various ATM anti-skimming devices and anti skimming technologies like white noise generators can be installed as additional ATM skimming prevention tools. These tools stop data transmission from the magnetic stripe and card readers to the attackers. This is an essential element of ATM physical security used to protect user’s bank card data and prevent skimming attacks.

2. Data security
Video security solutions help associate a transaction with a photo or video. The camera records everything that is happening in front of it during ATM transactions.

All recorded photos or videos are stored on an ATM, so bank employees must have physical access to ATMs to get this information. In a case of dispute, they have to go to the ATM, copy the files and bring them to the security office. This increases the incident response time. And if the bank has a need to process information from several ATMs, the time increases in proportion to the number of terminals.

Another problem is that data may be deleted during ATM maintenance.

In a case of ATM theft, all the recorded data will be lost. Even if the camera detects the faces of criminals, this will not help the police.  Unfortunately in this case the video evidence will stay in the hands of intruders, as well as the money.

Comprehensive video surveillance solves the problem of data storage. The centralized management system allows banks to gather information from all of their ATMs and store it on a well-protected bank server. The data can be stored on the server for a long time. In some countries this period is regulated by law.

3. Access to photo and video of transactions
Photos and videos collected from all ATMs are stored on a server. The bank can easily search for the necessary information about any transaction by various parameters (card number, transaction date, event or alarm). The system collects information from all devices of the terminal network, so you can search through your entire ATM fleet. This reduces the response time to disputes and requires less effort from the bank to resolve them.

Card details are masked according to PCI Data Security Standard to ensure a high level of personal data security. Only authorized users can access them.

4. Face detection and recognition
Modern video surveillance systems provide a face detection function. It determines whether there actually is anybody in front of a self-service device during the transaction. And if the face is not detected the ATM does not cash out. This reduces the risk of some fraudulent actions.

Face recognition is the next step in modern video surveillance solution. It can be used as a factor or as a full-fledged way of authorization of ATM users, service personnel and CIT officers. It also links the user’s face with their transaction, so banks can find all transactions in which certain individuals were involved.

ATMeye.iQ from BS/2

BS/2, a developer of software solutions for banks and other commercial organizations, offers a multi-vendor video surveillance solution – ATMeye.iQ.

ATMeye.iQ can easily be integrated into an already functioning banking infrastructure, and provides many valuable services, such as event-based snapshotting and video capturing, pre-record and post-record features and camera status check.

You can learn more about ATMeye.iQ product from our company representatives.