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Video
Surveillance for ATMs
ATM security has
turned into an industry in and of itself. ATM transactions are quick and convenient,
but the machines and the areas surrounding them can be susceptible to criminal
activity if not properly protected. The use of video surveillance, especially
new IP-based security cameras can help to ensure that ATM transactions are safe.
Benefits of ATM
surveillance
- Prevent
hold ups and violent confrontations – The presence of security cameras
can enhance the level of safety around an ATM, making it less likely that
customers will be confronted by threatening criminals looking to swipe their
cards or cash.
- Deter
ATM skimming – Skimming involves the use of special devices to record
information from magnetic stripes on bank cards. ATM security cameras can
spot and stop a potential skimming operation before it starts.
- Prevent
hidden camera use – Some criminals have been known to steel ATM pin
numbers by using small hidden cameras. A proper video surveillance system
will detect such an operation by spotting suspicious activity and hidden camera
installation as it happens.
- Digital
storage – IP-based security cameras enable the user to store and
back-up footage digitally on hard drives or servers. This allows for more
footage to be archived while also providing advanced search capabilities.
- Criminal
investigation – IP network cameras can provide valuable visual evidence
of crimes involving cash machines. Searching through digital footage for specific
times and dates is typically a smooth and painless process. Some ATMs are
left unattended for long periods of time. In such cases, archived footage
can prove invaluable when an incident is reported.
Cash machine
security camera risks
- Tampering
– If a criminal manages to vandalize or tamper with a security camera, the
video signal could be lost. For areas with 24-hour ATMs, other safety measures
such as proper lighting and a physical security presence can help to make
up for the lost signal.
Configuration
of ATM surveillance cameras
- When implementing
an ATM security camera installation, consider some of the following factors:
- Is the cash
machine operational 24 hours a day?
- Is the ATM
attached to a bank?
- What kind of
physical security presence, if any, patrols the area?
- Is the machine
left unattended for extended periods of time?
- What kind of
neighborhood is the machine located in? Is there a history of crime?
Cash machine
security camera setup advice
- Install a security
camera within the ATM in order to get clear and detailed images of all transactions.
- Position camera
to monitor the area surrounding the cash machine for comprehensive views of
suspect activity.
- Consider employing
software that enables you to link individual transactions with video footage
so that archived footage is easier to sort during criminal investigations.
- Consider using
IP cameras equipped with video analytics such as facial-recognition to spot
specific suspects and marked criminals.
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