The Reserve Bank has introduced new procedures for banks to follow with regard to ATMs. It has advised banks to grout the ATMs to walls, pillars or to the floors. This has to be done by September-end, except those ATMs installed in high secured premises such as airports. The central bank has appointed a committee on currency movement in 2016 to review the security of cash in transit and recommend necessary steps to ensure that the cash is secure in these machines. Based on the recommendations of the panel, the central bank has now issued the instructions aimed at mitigating risks in ATM operations and enhancing security. Among other things, the committee has recommended that ATMs shall be operated for cash replenishment only with digital One Time Combination (OTC) locks and the machines should be grouted to a structure (wall, pillar, floor, etc.), except for ATMs installed in highly secured premises such as airports, etc. which have adequate CCTV coverage and are guarded by state/central security personnel. It has also asked banks to have a comprehensive e-surveillance mechanism at the ATMs to ensure timely alerts and quick response.
