NCJ Number
130319
Journal
Security Management Volume: 35 Issue: 6 Dated: (June 1991) Pages: 62-63
Date Published
1991
Length
2 pages
Annotation
Because of the rising incidence of crimes committed against banks in Italy, both by political terrorists and by common criminals, banks have been forced to develop a systematic approach to security. Although the banking industry has had to rely largely on the police to combat politically motivated attacks, the security systems instituted to protect against thieves have begun to shift their focus from the human element to a combination of electronic and human components.
Abstract
Banking security was coordinated in large measure by the Italian Banking Association and was assisted by cooperation between banks and police authorities at both the local and national level. Several technical and organizational measures are favored by Italian banks including cameras and closed-circuit TV, interlocking doors with metal detectors, alarms, cash level managements, and insurance. Over time, however, robbers have overcome these security measures in several ways. They have forced bank employees to relinquish CCTV videocassettes and have held hostage employees in charge of bank safe keys. More effective prevention must integrate technical security measures with efficient organizational security practices. Physical security measures, including thick walls and attack-resistant doors, have been successful in guarding against many thefts of safe-deposit boxes, ATM machines, and vaults. In contrast, guarding armored cars, particularly those undergoing long runs, has proven more difficult.