The ATM is a symbol of our modern world - a convenient, quick way to access your money and banking information. However, ATMs are ripe areas for criminal activity if there are limited protections in place. CCTV systems are an integral part of a comprehensive safety and security system for ATMs.

The major risk for CCTV systems at ATMs is the risk of tampering. When criminals vandalize or otherwise attempt to bypass the security system, and are successful in doing so, video feed and recording can be lost completely or have severe gaps. 24-hour ATMs are particularly vulnerable to such tampering. By avoiding over-reliance on CCTV systems, it's important to have proper lighting and a security guard available to deter crime.

Despite the above-mentioned risk, there are a great deal of advantages to having ATM camera surveillance, and those advantages are big enough to stand on their own:

• Aid in investigations: When ATMs have to be left unattended, for whatever reason, crime can happen in a big way. With advanced CCTV systems for ATMs, criminal investigations go much more smoothly and aid in both investigations and prosecutions.

• Back-up footage and advanced search features: Digital cameras allow for digital storage, meaning more information can be kept on hand for longer periods of time. They also have advanced search features, making investigations go more smoothly.

• Deter serious crimes and petty theft: Skimming operations can be prevented with ATM video surveillance (as setting up the skimming device can be caught on video), as well as PIN theft from criminal hidden cameras. Hold ups and violence are often deterred by the presence of ATM surveillance systems, and, should this problem arise in spite of the camera, the video can be used for investigations after the fact.

• Increase consumer confidence: Customers who know their transactions are being monitored for safety purposes feel more secure, and will use the ATMs with the best surveillance systems.

There are a few points to consider and questions to answer when setting up ATM camera surveillance:

• Is your 24-hour ATM unmonitored for any length of time? If so, consider several area cameras that will pick up activities from different angles.

• What is the neighborhood like where your ATM resides in terms of criminal activity? High crime areas may need more protection, not only with additional cameras, but strategic placement of said systems.

• Are there security guards or police patrol who have a physical presence in the area? How often are they in the area?

• Is the ATM stand-alone, or is it part of a bank? Depending on the location of the ATM, cameras will need to be set up in different ways to capture the most common criminal activity of the area.

• Where will the cameras get a best view of transactions? Where will they get the best view of surrounding activity?

• The advanced software available can allow you to link each transaction with video in synchronicity - therefore, searching for a particular complaint can be as easy as using a transaction number on a receipt.

• IP cameras that have video analytics can use facial-recognition to catch repeat offenders and suspects.

The benefits of an addition of CCTV systems for ATMs far outweigh the risks, and play a vital part in protecting consumers as well as protecting your assets.