Bank Surveillance System: Guide to Multi-Layered Security Strategy for Banks

The Indian banking landscape is thriving, driven by a rise in fintech, microfinancing, and digital banking. With a vast network of 13 public-sector banks, 21 private-sector banks, 44 foreign banks, 12 small finance banks, and over 1.26 lac on-site ATMs functional across rural and urban regions, the industry will likely sustain its upward trajectory.

What is potentially slowing this growth is the rising incidence of premise break-ins and thefts that occur out of public view. Did you know that banks in India lost a cumulative INR 20,000 crore to thefts over the last 10 years, with robberies accounting for 47% of reported incidents?

Furthermore, the emergence of sophisticated theft techniques—such as cash-in-transit heists and ATM burglaries—has intensified the pressure on bank security departments.

Considering the escalating security threats financial institutions face, transitioning from traditional security measures to tech-enabled systems has become imperative. Implementing video analytics, AIoT-powered surveillance, and access control mechanisms equip banks with a strong defence layer against various security risks.

While these advanced solutions are gaining momentum within the industry, they remain in the nascent stages of adoption, creating substantial opportunities for further innovation and development. This guide is an effort to underline the essential components of an effective bank surveillance system and provide an integrated approach to optimising security across all levels.

What is a Bank Surveillance System?

Increasing cases of theft have necessitated the augmentation of multi-layered bank surveillance systems. A bank surveillance system is a comprehensive framework that safeguards financial institutions from diverse threats. It involves implementing a layered approach of IP cameras, sensors, access control devices, and advanced analytics, each connected to a centralised platform for a unified view of multiple locations.

Level 1: Guarding the Perimeter of the Building

This layer is designed to monitor the outer boundaries of the building, focusing on entry and exit points as well as the surrounding area. CCTV cameras play a critical role in perimeter defence, but additional devices can enhance security. Below are some specific devices that help safeguard the perimeter:

CCTV Cameras

• Fixed or Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) Cameras: These are positioned around the perimeter to capture premise activities. PTZ cameras are often used to track movement and adjust the focus remotely.
• Bullet Infrared Cameras: To guard the bank building in low-light conditions or at night. Typically, these cameras have an infrared range of up to 30-100 meters, depending on the model.

Sensors

• Gate Sensors: Shutter & MCS: Magnetic or seismic sensors detect tampering or unauthorised access to the perimeter fence.

Level 2: Installation Inside the Main Bank Building

This layer secures the bank’s internal premises, including entryways, vaults, cash handling areas, and customer service zones.

CCTV Cameras

• Fixed or PTZ Cameras: Positioned strategically inside the building to provide real-time surveillance of high-risk areas like cash counters, vaults, and entry/exit points. Note that RBI has necessitated the installation of CCTVs at the vault and bank entry/exit.
• Dome Cameras: These cameras are discreet, providing 360-degree surveillance coverage while blending seamlessly into the environment.

Sensors

• Glass Break Sensors: These sensors detect the sound or vibrations caused by breaking glass, ensuring prompt alerts if windows or glass doors are tampered with.
• Vibration Sensors: These sensors are used around sensitive areas like vaults to detect any unusual vibrations caused by tampering or attempts to break into the building.
• Fire & Smoke Sensors: Placed within the facility, these sensors trigger upon detecting smoke, heat, or fire
• Magnetic Contact Sensors (MCS): These are installed at vault room doors to monitor for unauthorised openings or tampering. They alert if an entry point is breached
• Thermal Sensors: Positioned throughout the facility, these sensors detect temperature fluctuations or abnormal heat signatures, providing early warnings of potential fire hazards or overheating equipment in critical areas like server rooms or electrical panels.
• Motion Sensors: These sensors detect unauthorised movement in restricted or high-value areas, such as vaults and cash handling zones. Any unusual motion triggers an alarm.
• Seismic Sensors: Placed near high-value assets like vaults, seismic sensors detect vibrations or seismic activity, providing immediate alerts if someone attempts to break into or tamper with these protected zones.
• Shutter Sensors: These sensors are installed on roller shutters or security grilles, typically at entry points, to detect unauthorised attempts to open or tamper with the shutters. They trigger immediate alerts to notify security personnel of potential breaches.

Access Control

These devices restrict access to certain areas within the building, such as the vault or secure data rooms, only to authorised personnel. Biometric systems, like fingerprint or iris scanners, provide an extra layer of security to banks by ensuring that only registered individuals can gain entry to these high-security zones.

2-Way Audio

When initiated, they send a signal to the command centre, prompting immediate analysis. If found valid, the command centre activates the bank’s internal audio system to broadcast a warning within the facility and dispatch a notification to the local police department simultaneously.

Panic Button

In case of an emergency, the branch manager can activate the Panic Button. Once the panic alert is received, the command centre conducts video verification. If a hold-up is confirmed, they promptly notify the local police with comprehensive situation details.

The growing frequency of bank crimes has led to significant losses, underscoring the need for advanced theft prevention measures. ATMs remain prime targets due to their vulnerability, making them easy prey for criminal exploitation.

ATM Surveillance System: Implementation and Working

The proliferation of ATM networks—exceeding 1.26 lac across India—has correspondingly amplified security vulnerabilities. Thus, we discuss implementing security devices that preemptively detect, deter, and respond to potential breaches, safeguarding institutional assets and customer trust is discussed below.

Note: In the context of ATM security, it may not be necessary to divide the devices into levels. ATMs are standalone units where all devices serve a common purpose of perimeter and internal security.

CCTV Cameras:

• Dome Cameras: These cameras offer 360-degree coverage of ATM premises, providing clear footage to detect suspicious activities and ehance security.
• Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) Cameras: PTZ cameras allow remote control to zoom in on areas of interest, ensuring precise monitoring of high-risk zones or incidents and sensors.
• Bullet Infrared Cameras: Equipped with night vision, infrared cameras capture high-quality footage in low-light conditions, ensuring continuous surveillance.

Sensors:

• ATM Removal/Shutter Sensors: These sensors detect any unauthorised attempt to remove or tamper with the ATM, providing an early alert to prevent theft.
• Chest Door MCS Sensors: Magnetic Contact Switches (MCS) on currency chest doors ensure immediate detection of any break-in attempt.
• Vibration Sensors: These sensors are installed to detect unusual vibrations caused by tampering or drilling and provide an early warning for potential ATM breaches.
• Motion Sensors: These sensors are strategically installed around the ATM to detect unauthorised movement. This is particularly useful after hours when the ATM is not in use.
• Thermal Sensors: These sensors detect unusual temperature fluctuations, such as those caused by gas-cutting tools.
• Glass Break Sensors: Capable of detecting the distinct sound of glass breaking, these sensors quickly identify forced entry attempts at the ATM.
• Smoke Sensors: Detects smoke particles, which could indicate a fire caused in the ATM room.
• 2-way Audio & Panic Button: The 2-way audio system enables real-time communication with customers and emergency responders, while the panic button provides a quick way to alert security personnel during critical situations.

Critical components of a robust ATM & Bank Surveillance System with advanced analytics

Implementing ATM/bank surveillance systems requires several critical components to ensure the smooth operation and integrity of the system. These components include:

1. DVRs / NVRs: These devices are essential for recording and storing surveillance footage from CCTV cameras deployed around the ATM. DVRs are typically used with analogue cameras, while NVRs are used for IP-based cameras. Both video recording systems provide high-quality video storage, crucial for post-incident investigations and legal compliance.

2. Cloud Storage or Hard Drives: ATM & bank surveillance systems rely on cloud-based storage solutions or physical hard drives to secure and retrieve surveillance footage. Cloud offers remote data storage and ensures data backup in case of physical damage or theft. On the other hand, hard drives are often used for on-site storage, ensuring that data is locally available but still protected by encryption and access control protocols.

3. Routers: Routers are crucial for managing data traffic between the local ATM network and remote monitoring centres. They help ensure the secure transmission of video feeds and alerts to the central command centre, enabling quick action in response to suspicious activities.

4. Network / PoE Switches: These switches facilitate communication between the various components of the ATM surveillance system, including cameras, sensors, and routers. They ensure the video and sensor data are transmitted smoothly across the network.

Together, these components form the backbone of a robust ATM & bank surveillance system, enabling seamless monitoring, data storage, and communication across all levels of the security architecture.

24×7 Centralised Bank Surveillance Management System

A robust central monitoring system is crucial for effective bank surveillance management system. This system should be capable of monitoring multiple branches simultaneously and providing real-time alerts, notifications, and verification. The IGZY AIoT-powered platform offers compatibility with industry-leading surveillance brands and can seamlessly integrate all your security devices.

Critical components of a Centralised Bank Surveillance Management System

• Unified Platform: At the heart of the centralised management system, the unified platform aggregates data from various security devices into one centralised interface. This platform consolidates inputs from CCTV cameras, sensors, and other security devices. A comprehensive view gives operators a more effective real-time oversight across multiple bank branches or ATMs.

• Command Center: The critical function of the command centre is incident verification and response. The dedicated facility monitors video feeds, tracks equipment downtime, and verifies alarms 24/7. When an alert is triggered—by sensors or CCTV—the centre quickly verifies the incident. If confirmed, real-time alerts are sent via the unified platform, triggering immediate actions like hooter or police notification to prevent further escalation.

• Video Management System (VMS): The VMS is essential for enterprise security, enabling real-time monitoring and management of video surveillance data. It allows operators to view live feeds from multiple cameras, record footage for future analysis, and ensure continuous oversight. Additionally, the bank surveillance system integrates with advanced analytics tools to detect suspicious activity and improve response times.

While the surveillance equipment provides a strong security foundation, it should be complemented with advanced video analytics for cutting-edge security intelligence. For instance, IGZY enables banks to leverage the following features through our centralised dashboard:

• People Gathering and Kneeling: Detects potential threats such as physical harm to staff and customers, property damage, and the risk of loss of life.
• Face Mask Identification: Addresses challenges in identifying individuals, minimising security breaches and ensuring compliance with regulations.
• Camera Placement Change: This feature detects unauthorised changes in camera placement, preventing compromised surveillance, security breaches, and reduced investigative capabilities.
• Camera Blockage: Identifies when cameras are blocked, mitigating security risks and preserving the integrity of surveillance systems.
• Desk Occupancy at the Bank: Monitors overcrowding, preventing discomfort for staff and customers and reducing the risk of conflicts or accidents.
• Crowd Detection: Analyses crowd density to prevent panic, manage emergencies, and ensure timely incident response.
• ATM Cleaning: This process detects hazards such as slips, falls, and injuries, especially for vulnerable customers like the elderly.

Why is a multi-layered security approach important for banks?

As stated above, implementing an advanced, multi-layered bank surveillance system is crucial to deter attempts of breaches. It also offers several benefits:

1. Enhanced Operational Safety

Modern banking security architectures represent a critical defence mechanism, making the premises safe for employees and customers. Each layer of this multifaceted approach powers financial institutions with a strategic integration of advanced technologies to facilitate rapid responses and guarantee that the bank’s activities are adequately protected.

2. Real-Time Threat Intelligence

Advanced bank security platforms, like IGZY, provide shared and instantaneous monitoring and response capabilities, transforming security from a reactive to a predictive discipline. This helps security teams identify potential vulnerabilities swiftly in real time. With the ability to provide immediate alerts and rapid intervention mechanisms, threats can be controlled beforehand to lower risks. 

3. Customer Confidence and Trust

Security infrastructure has evolved from a backend operational requirement to a critical component of customer confidence within an organisation. By visibly investing in safer environments, banks demonstrate their commitment to protecting customer assets and personal information. This reaffirmation mitigates potential risks and builds a foundational level of trust in the finance business.

4. Regulatory Compliance and Governance

With RBI mandating CCTV camera installations at the vault entry/exit and passageways, multi-layered bank surveillance systems naturally transcend the mandated compliances. This establishes guidelines to meet and surpass regulatory requirements, leveraging advanced technologies and robust security protocols.

5. Strategic Risk Management

Beyond physical and digital protection, these intuitive frameworks provide intelligence that enables strategic decision-making. By integrating advanced analytics, behavioural modelling, and predictive technologies, banks can transform security from an operating expense into a future-strategic asset that drives operational efficiency and organisational resilience.

What are the must-have features in Bank Surveillance System?

A well-structured bank security architecture integrates multiple protective layers of various technical functionalities across a financial institution’s premises. Must-have features of bank surveillance system for a complete plan include:

• Continuous Alert-Based Proactive Monitoring: Bank surveillance systems must operate 24/7 with uninterrupted recording capabilities, ensuring comprehensive security coverage across day and night environments. High-resolution cameras with advanced light adaptation technologies capture critical visual intelligence under varying illumination conditions.
• Cloud-Based Infrastructure: Transitioning from traditional local storage to cloud platforms provides enhanced data protection. This approach offers encrypted storage with remote access. IGZY cloud, for instance, is certified with External SAST Report, External AppSec, and External VAPT Infra standards for footage security.
• Integrated Security Platforms: Modern banking surveillance solutions integrate multiple security components – access control, sensor networks, and visual monitoring – creating a unified intelligent framework. This interconnected approach allows comprehensive threat analysis and coordinates response strategies.
• Advanced Authentication Protocols: Sophisticated security measures like OTP-based vault locks and command centre verification processes introduce human-centric intelligence into technological security infrastructures, ensuring multilayered access control and comprehensive threat mitigation.

Nonetheless, addressing vulnerabilities and evolving threats is the core purpose of a bank’s security system. Thus, strictly aligning with regulatory standards provides complete protection and operational stability.

What are the common threats to watch concerning Bank and ATM Security?

Banking institutions are under a persistent fear of equipment failure. Suggested below are some of the key concerns that highlight the challenges against robust security measures:

1. Camera or Security Equipment Downtime

This represents a critical security gap as it directly compromises the surveillance infrastructure, leaving blind spots that malicious actors can exploit. Downtime in cameras or other equipment disrupts real-time monitoring, delays incident detection, and hampers the ability to gather evidence during security breaches.

Advanced platforms like IGZY mitigate this risk by offering cloud-based storage, ensuring uninterrupted access to surveillance data even during hardware failures. Additionally, automated diagnostics and predictive maintenance systems can proactively identify and address potential issues, minimising downtime and maintaining a robust security posture across physical and digital domains.

2. False Alerts Generated through the Platform

The absence of a command centre to verify false alerts generated by security devices on the platform causes unnecessary havoc. Alerts triggered by non-threatening events or system malfunctions often divert attention from genuine threats and strain security teams.

Advanced real-time bank surveillance platform from IGZY addresses this challenge by integrating AI-driven analytics and centralised monitoring capabilities to validate alerts swiftly and accurately. By minimising false positives and ensuring actionable insights, IGZY optimises response times, reduces resource wastage, and maintains a seamless and robust security posture across the organisation. 

3. Insider Theft

With over two decades of experience deploying security solutions for banks, IGZY has observed that insiders perpetuate more than 50% of thefts in financial institutions. These individuals often have access to critical assets, including CCTV cameras, interconnected devices, and storage systems like hard drives.

To mitigate the risk of footage tampering or loss, IGZY recommends migrating CCTV footage to the cloud. This ensures secure, tamper-proof storage and supports compliance with RBI video retention regulations while providing reliable evidence in the event of an incident.

Conclusion

While challenges persist—particularly with rising security breaches and thefts occurring behind the scenes—the overall outlook for the sector remains positive as it progresses toward becoming better equipped to address these issues and continue its expansion.

Adopting a comprehensive and scalable security architecture thus becomes imperative to safeguard operations and protect against emerging risks. 

Implementing a comprehensive security architecture incorporating diverse security devices can be formidable for banks. However, IGZY is positioned to address this complexity. With over six years of expertise in providing seamless security solutions to leading financial institutions across India, IGZY remains committed to safeguarding the integrity of banking operations.

Our extensive pan-India presence spans 1000+ cities, with over 1500 active sites and over 15,000 cameras under management. Our command centre verifies over 5000 alerts daily, ensuring a prompt response.

IGZY is committed to providing banks with robust security infrastructure to navigate an increasingly complex environment through our cost-efficient, future-proof hardware and bi-annual AMC offerings. Contact us today to learn how IGZY can fortify your security architecture and help future-proof your operations.