Spinnaker International has long believed that the prevention of attacks on ATM units is the most efficient means of keeping cash moving. Criminal groups will always seek out new opportunities and will only move on when they understand that their attempts are and will continue to be unsuccessful.
For many years, Spinnaker International has been working closely with its customers and the authorities worldwide to understand criminal trends and develop safe, efficient solutions to minimise the reward for criminal gangs.
History has shown that criminals adapt and evolve to find new ways to infiltrate ATMs and CIT routes. Yet, Spinnaker International’s use of cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions can keep businesses and individuals one step ahead.
Types of ATM attacks
When criminals target ATMs, attacks are usually carried out using three different methods.
One of the traditional methods is ATM burglary, where criminals will look to cut, drill or grind their way into ATM units to access cash. Another traditional method criminals may look to deploy are ‘ram raid’ or ‘rip out’ tactics to force their way inside.
However, a newer and emerging trend is that more and more criminal gangs are beginning to deploy more sophisticated explosive attacks to blow units open and access cash that way.
Addressing traditional problems
Spinnaker International’s IBNS intelligent cash protection system, known as a2m, stops any reward for criminals in any type of physical attack by ink-staining the notes. However, this solution does not prevent the dangers associated with explosive attacks nor does it reduce the risk of such attacks. The fact that explosive attacks are growing in prevalence supports this notion.
Between 2020 and 2021, the incidence of all types of physical ATM attacks increased by six per cent. However, losses from ATM attacks overall declined 55 per cent during the same timeframe thanks to preventative security measures.
This proves that prevention is the most cost-effective way to reduce losses in ATM attack scenarios. The threat of an attack by criminals is ever-present and businesses and ATM operators cannot be complacent.
ATM protection systems like Spinnaker’s a2m, an intelligent cash protection cassette equipped with IBNS technology, have been fundamental in reducing the reward for criminals using more traditional techniques. The solution protects billions of pounds worth of cash across the globe per day and it does this by degrading banknotes with a specialist degradation ink in the event of an attack. The ink degrades the notes and marks them irrevocably with an individual synthetic substance.
This substance can subsequently be used to track down the criminals responsible. Furthermore, Spinnaker makes life even more difficult for criminal thieves by integrating a sophisticated tracking and monitoring device inside the products, which can send and receive real-time information on the status and activity of that product. This system, which cannot be ‘jammed’, allows customers to keep very tight control of their assets at all times.
Innovating to combat the attacks of the future
2021 data shows that the majority of successful attacks carried out on ATM units that year were explosives oriented, with 64 per cent of victims suffering losses from such attempts, meaning that the attack was successful in some form.
The costs of successful explosive ATM attacks are significant, not just for businesses who are direct victims but also their customers and local residents.
Explosive ATM assaults can leave many in the vicinity at risk of injury or death and cost millions in building damages. The resulting closure of branches for post-attack repair works will cost money not just in repair costs, but also in lost income and customer inconvenience.
Aside from financial losses, a major price to pay for victim businesses is the loss of trust and reputation through the fear of repeat attacks and the negative connotations around being violently robbed.
All these factors combined make the potential scale of losses from successful explosive attacks on ATMs unthinkable.
Spinnaker International has therefore been working closely with its customers and the authorities to develop the most efficient system to prevent these attacks, which is now on the market.
While existing Spinnaker systems such as a2m eliminate the reward for criminals by staining the bank notes, it does not shield businesses, their customers and local residents from the risks of attack. A more robust deterrent is needed.
To this end, Spinnaker has developed a whole new solution: Spinnaker Core.
Nestled inside the core of the ATM, Spinnaker Core is the most cost-effective portable solution on the market for the prevention of gas attacks.
A cost-effective and low maintenance deterrent
Core comes with no fixed installation or training costs and can be moved to different ATM locations in your network during cash replenishment, in response to potential attack intelligence.
Reports show that criminals are testing for gas systems using lighter fluid, and then moving on to the next ATM target. The instant deployability of Core makes this the most versatile system to react to intelligence about potential attacks without increasing costs with minimal upfront costs.
Other firms have attempted to respond to the gas attack threat by flooding the ATM with nitrogen to push oxygen out as a solution. However, this requires a large tank and renders the solution bulky and costly to install. The cost-efficiency of Core and its portability means it takes pride of place as the most advanced solution currently on the market.
Installation can be performed in seconds by bank employees or cash management providers at the same time as ATM replenishment. Core sensors can detect when a gas attack occurs, and the system responds by releasing a unique, non-combustible, and non-toxic suppressant.
The system also has a feature where it can send silent radio alerts to your security system in the event of an attack, meaning that security staff can respond quickly and apprehend the criminal.
Furthermore, it can either function independently or integrate into existing alar or security systems. It comes with several other optional functions as well as sending radio alerts to the security system in an attack scenario, including auto-reporting, status updates and remote activations when integrated with the latest a2m systems.
The Core system is universally compatible and can simply be slid into any ATM cassette position in any ATM unit, and its internal black box records dates, times and any other data associated with attempted attacks.
As well as being cost-effective, the Core system is low maintenance and efficient. It only requires an annual calibration check and needs servicing once every five years. Meanwhile, it is powered by internal rechargeable batteries to offer complete flexibility, or alternatively can be linked into the mains supply to be permanently powered within the ATM.
Prevention is the safest way of removing the risk of damage to people and cash, and Core does just this.
Image provided by Spinnaker International
