ATMs have become a cornerstone of day-to-day life for millions, but they can also be vulnerable to attack. The global ATM Industry Association reported an increase of ATM crime of 12% for 2017. And attacks, of course, often involve ATM users, potentially injuring them and causing trauma. But since, by definition, ATMs are often situated outside buildings and used at all times of the day and night, securing them is a challenge - and banks are turning to more intelligent solutions.
According to ATM Industry Association (ATMIA), there are an estimated 3.5 million ATMs in the world serving those in need of cash 24/7, 365 days a year. And there’s where the difficulty in securing them lies. To be effective, most ATMs need to be in public areas and open all hours. This, coupled with the fact that they hold hard cash, makes them an attractive target.