Financial breaches and identity theft cases seem to be in the headlines on an almost regular basis. Just last month, hackers broke into a Citibank-branded ATM network and stole millions. What's more interesting, though, is that the criminals gained access to customer PINs — the pieces of data that are seemingly most secure.
 
The security landscape is definitely changing, and in a new ATM Marketplace guide, “Bank Branch Security in the 21st Century,” FIs can find help navigating their way through the security labyrinth.
 
“Criminals are becoming ever more imaginative when it comes to stealing cards and identity codes required to fetch cash from ATMs around the world,” said Uwe Krause, director of banking marketing for Wincor Nixdorf International, which sponsored the report. “Subsequently, many bank customers are increasingly concerned about the security of their confidential data and savings.”
 
Written by Tracy Kitten, senior editor of ATM Marketplace, the report examines security-enhancing methods and products, and offers a look into the future of security in the banking industry. Packed with informative data and sound tips, the key take-away from the publication is that, for financial institutions, the time to get smart about 360-degree branch security is now.
 
“In short,” Kitten said, “security is about ensuring that all of an FI’s banking channels are communicating with one another.”