ATMs are a staple of modern banking. From quick cash withdrawals to balance inquiries, they offer round-the-clock access to essential services. However, with each machine lie vulnerabilities that, if unprotected, can lead to serious breaches.

As a financial institution, you’re expected to maintain more than just functionality. Customers expect you to prioritize safety, especially in an era where ATM-related crimes are becoming increasingly complex and frequent.

Forward-thinking banks are turning to advanced surveillance solutions and purpose-built banking security technology to protect people, data, and machines. These tools form the backbone of a proactive safety strategy.

In this article, you’ll learn how to keep your ATMs secure and customer-friendly through practical strategies and modern tools that help prevent both physical and digital threats.

1. Choose an Open, Unobscured Location

The placement of your ATM can either attract risk or deter it. Machines hidden in corners, surrounded by overgrown landscaping, or blocked by structures create easy opportunities for criminals to operate undetected.

To mitigate this risk, place ATMs in high-traffic, visible locations. Storefront entrances, clear-glass vestibules, or wall-mounted units near security checkpoints all help create a sense of visibility and accountability. For outdoor machines, make routine landscaping part of your maintenance plan. The goal is to eliminate hiding spots and enhance sightlines for both users and security personnel.

2. Ensure the Area Is Well-Lit

Lighting is one of the simplest ways to make an area safer. When customers approach a dimly lit ATM, they instinctively become more cautious, and with good reason. Poor lighting allows bad actors to operate without being easily noticed.

Install bright, reliable overhead lighting and consider using motion sensors for added efficiency. Ensure the lighting covers all angles, not just the front of the machine. Regularly check for outages or weak spots, especially during the darker months of the year.

Besides quality lighting, security cameras equipped with low-light or infrared capabilities are ideal for improved ATM visibility. These tools help extend your sight lines after sunset and during early morning hours when incidents are more likely to occur.

3. Regularly Inspect and Service Machines

ATM hardware should never be a set-it-and-forget-it asset. Over time, criminals have become skilled at installing discreet skimming devices or Personal Identification Number (PIN)-capturing overlays that customers may overlook. Routine inspections are one of the best ways to catch signs of tampering before damage is done.

Train employees or service partners to inspect each ATM on a daily basis. Inspect the card reader or keypad for loose components, adhesive residue, or unusual protrusions. Encourage customers to report if a machine appears to be malfunctioning, such as having sticky buttons, stiff card slots, or unresponsive screens.

Consistent servicing also keeps your machines working efficiently and preserves customer trust. A well-maintained ATM is a reflection of your brand’s professionalism.

4. Stay Informed About Evolving Security Risks

ATM threats are changing quickly. What once involved brute-force attacks has shifted toward advanced fraud techniques like jackpotting, where attackers manipulate machines with malware, or deep-insert skimming, where devices capture sensitive bank card information. Staying informed helps you stay protected.

Encourage your staff to participate in industry groups, subscribe to law enforcement alerts, and attend relevant security workshops. Create internal check-ins to review recent incidents and assess if your locations may face similar vulnerabilities.

Sharing information with other banks or local businesses can also provide valuable context about risks in your area. Awareness leads to action, especially when you make time for regular updates and conversations around emerging security tactics.

5. Update Software and Hardware

Outdated technology leaves doors open to attacks. Machines running on unsupported operating systems or legacy firmware often lack encryption standards and can’t receive vital security patches.

Review the age and software version of every ATM in your network. Upgrade machines that can’t support modern protocols or security layers. Replace aging components before they fail and before someone takes advantage of their weaknesses.

High-performing institutions are investing in smarter tools, such as AI cameras, which can identify suspicious behaviors, including loitering, tailgating, or prolonged interactions. These behaviors may indicate someone scouting the ATM or attempting a crime.

Incorporating video analytics into your system further enhances your ability to detect red flags. Analytics can trigger alerts when someone returns to the machine multiple times, lingers too long, or obscures their face.

Integrating everything with a video management platform also makes it easier for your team to manage multiple locations and respond quickly when something doesn’t look right.

6. Monitor Networks

As machines become more connected, cyberattacks are rising. Criminals don’t need to be present physically; they can exploit a vulnerable ATM remotely if the network isn’t secure.

Therefore, it is imperative to monitor traffic on your ATM network closely. Segment ATM connections from the rest of your systems and avoid open internet access. Use firewalls, strong authentication, and encrypted communications to reduce exposure.

Additionally, invest in anomaly detection tools that alert you to unusual patterns, such as repeated system reboots, unauthorized access attempts, or sudden spikes in traffic. Combine this data with physical surveillance for a well-rounded view of what’s happening both digitally and on the ground.

Cybersecurity audits should also be done at regular intervals. You can do this by keeping a checklist of best practices for your IT teams and updating your defenses as attack trends shift.

7. Implement Layered Security

ATM security works best as a layered system. No single tactic covers everything, but together, multiple safeguards make it difficult for someone to exploit a weakness.

Start with strong physical protections, use high-security locks, tamper-resistant housings, and reinforced construction for standalone machines. Add smart surveillance with motion detection, facial recognition, and license plate tracking where applicable. Then secure the digital layer with software encryption, remote access control, and real-time monitoring.

Look for platforms with integrated surveillance solutions that allow your team to oversee all aspects from a centralized location. These tools are particularly useful for banks with dozens or hundreds of ATMs located across various areas.

Perimeter protection also plays an important role in a broader ATM security strategy. Securing the outer boundaries around your machines adds an extra layer of defense that helps control access to surrounding areas, limits unauthorized movement near the ATM, and reduces opportunities for tampering.

Conclusion

Each ATM you manage represents a critical touchpoint with the public and a potential vulnerability. As risks evolve, your response needs to evolve with them. You can’t afford to approach ATM safety as a one-time setup or an occasional task.

Keep the environment clear and well-lit. Train your team to inspect and report issues. Upgrade your hardware, monitor the network, and build layers of protection that work together. A proactive mindset makes all the difference. When customers feel secure, they’re more likely to trust your institution with their money and their peace of mind.