(Can you imagine the time, effort and cost involved in reconstructing the banks proof work (cancelled checks, special delivers branch supplies, etc) if an attacker suddenly way-laded the banks carrier, while traveling from the bank branch to its operation center?  Believe me, I’ve been there and done that and it’s no cake-walk.

All an attacker would need do is to spend some time in observation of the courier’s routes and time schedules, within most banking organizations.  As in all banking security procedures, however, this exposure can also be reduced by certain precautions.)

Non-negotiable banking documents can potentially be devastating to both the bank and the customer, if the items happen to get destroyed. And, re-constructing such items, such as checks, can and will be quite costly, if such courier deliveries do not arrival as planned.

So, what is a bank courier and what do they transport?  Simply put, a bank courier is defined as any bank employee transporting in their possession non-negotiable bank property from one point to another. Usually from the banking branches to the banks processing center. So, let us review the bank courier security in a little more detail.

COURIER DELIVERIES

Proof work, special deliveries and branch supplies should be transported in secure fire resistance containers.

CONTRACT SERVICE

Where practical, the above mentioned items should be transferred by banking in-house personnel. When such service is not available or is not cost effective, such as interstate air transports, a contract service can be utilized. In this event, the banking legal authority should draft a very specific contract, in protection of the bank, specifying that the contract service be responsible for any recovery cost, if document reconstruction is necessary.

COURIER EMPLOYEE SECURITY

• When possible, couriers should park at a location where the vehicle can be observed from within.
• Courier vehicle doors should be locked at all times whether parked, moving, vacant or occupied.
• Couriers should always be on the lookout for suspicious situations. Especially, when the same vehicle is observed over and over.
• If the courier feels followed, the courier should continue past the next scheduled stop to a safe location and notify the police.
• The courier should not stop, for any reason, while in route to or from a location, except for an emergency.

VEHICLE SECURITY

• All vehicles should be unmarked.
• All vehicles, when possible, should have lockable trunks, electric door locks, audible alarm buttons on the remote key ring and fire extinguishers.
• Vans and camper shell pick-ups should have lockable rear compartments separated from the vehicle cabs.
• Private vehicles should not be used by bank employees unless approved by the bank Security Officer.

COURIER SCHEDULING  

• Each banking location should have an updated copy of the courier schedule.
• If a courier does not arrive within a fifteen minute period after expected, the courier supervisor should be notified. The banks security manager and the police should be notified, if the delay cannot be explained.

TRANSPORTATION

• All proof work, special deliveries and branch supplies should be transported in the vehicles locked trunk or a locked rear compartment.
• Transportation should be confined to the bank personal only, with no consideration given to so-called friends or hitch hikers.
• Couriers should not travel armed. If necessary, under special circumstances, this duty should be by an armed guard or member of the banks security department.

CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION

• Local delivery containers should be constructed of a low impact type material such as plastic or cardboard.
• Over-the-road containers should be constructed of a high impact fire proof type material such as heavy cloth or metal,

VEHICLE COMMUNICATION

• If the bank has a twenty-four hour alarm monitoring console, the vehicle could be equipped with two way radio devices.
• If no radio communication is available, the couriers should be equipped with cellular telephones.

Remember, even the most effective communication system is of little use if, during an emergency response, staff members cannot tell others their location. This problem can be reduced with the purchase of global positioning system (GPS) terminals. Inexpensive, small and lightweight, these terminals have become standard equipment for hikers, truck drivers, and aircraft. So, why not include the GPS technology in courier transportation.

TRAINING

• New couriers should be trained on all phases of the operation within a month of employment.
• Additional training sessions should be held at intervals no longer than six months.
• Training sessions should concentrate on the latest criminal trends against the banking courier industry.
• Banking courier security policies should always be reviewed.

LESSONS LEARNED

Within two weeks after an attack or loss, the bank security department should analyze the occurrence and prepare a critique to include:

• Procedures that proved faulty and must be changed.
• Loss or injury resulting from failure to follow procedures.
• Successful application of procedures that resulted in the elimination of reduction of loss, prevention of injury, or apprehension of an attacker. 

PUBLIC RELATIONS

The fact that a loss or attack has occurred and the details of the occurrence should be communicated only to those who have a “need to know”, this is necessary for the protection of the loss items and to avoid customer panic. 

CONCLUSION

Remember, there are many structural and procedural steps, most of which do not reduce efficiency or effectiveness, which will tend to deter criminal activity against the banks couriers. Ideally, these steps will be so subtle that they will not be offensive to the parties involved but so apparent that criminals will go elsewhere. Not all losses or attacks can be prevented, however, as there is no absolute defense against a determined attacker and some attacks are made by persons not rational enough to perceive the deterrents.  For these reasons all necessary steps should be taken continuously, to minimize such losses when attacks occur.

(For assistance with this subject or any other security subject, please contact this Author)

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Someone once said, “the road to success is paved with reports”. That old cliché certainly rings true, in today’s corporate world. I once visited a “fast food” restaurant office, only to be amazed at the number of grafts and charts pinned to the wall. Why, you would think it was anything but a hamburger joint.

The same theory holds true in the security world. Especially in the banking industry, as the banks have so many rules and regulations to tend to, spanning from the various federal regulations to the local state and city security rulings. Not to mention the bank Security Policy Manual.

So, is your “Investigative Unit” having trouble proving its worth to your bank management? For some unknown reason, bank security always seems end up being on the low end of the preverbal bank budget “totem pole”. Well, speaking from experience, this idiom is easily fixed. Your department already is probably proving its worth, in fraud prevention and assets recovered. It’s probably just not proving the accomplishments on paper. After all, most banking executives want that piece of paper in front of them, when looking to develop the budget. Yes, the road to success is truly paved with reports. Let’s see if we may change this posture for your department.

FRAUD CASE REPORTS
Investigators should be responsible for making the following reports a part of each fraud case file.
Investigative Report- Should is completed on closed or cleared cases. Multiple incidents of fraud, concerning a single victim, should be considered one case.
Investigative Notes- Should is on-going as contacts are made. Giving a chronological record of the chain of events.
Supplement Report- Should be completed when a case is re-opened or reassigned after the Investigative Report is completed when new information is obtained or as an addition to the original investigative report.
Status Report- Should is updated as cases progress with a copy being sent to the effected manager as needed or when a case is closed or cleared.

Note: The status report remarks section may be completed in lieu of the investigative report on priority cases when no chronological documentation is required.

EXTERNAL- INTERNAL FRAUD REPORTING
Investigators should be familiar with and abide by the banks guidelines on these matters. Internal fraud should only be investigated and reported upon request of the banks Audit Department. While, external fraud should be investigated and reported based on the merits of each individual case leads and not necessarily the amount of the loss.

MONTHLY REPORTING.
Investigators should be responsible for compiling a monthly report each month giving all statistical information on cases worked, court dispositions and restitution obtained.
This report is vital and should be consolidated and distributed to senior management monthly. This is where the “rubber meets the road”. This consolidated report should always show the amount of bank funds recovered, as well as the precautions taken in all loss preventive measures.

CASE PROGRESS REPORTS
It is also vital to establish an effective case progress reporting procedure between security and other various internal and external contacts having a mutual interest in the investigation. Especially, when bank funds are recovered.
Investigators should be responsible for communicating oral or written progress reports. On a need to know basis, when a significant event occurs in the investigation, i.e. arrest, warrant, restitution, or case closed, etc.
Oral progress reports should be communicated by telephone or in person when practical.
Written reports should be communicated by reproducing investigative notes or status report. No emails or other social median please.
Note:
Information of a confidential nature should be reviewed with the security manager before being communicated externally or internally.

FRAUD INVESTIGATION CASE PRIORITY
External fraud investigation (checks, cards, etc.) should be conducted in accordance with the following priorities.
Priority One- Suspect is known and/or loss exceeds $1,000.00.
Priority Two- Witness and suspect many be developed and/or loss exceeds $200.00.
Priority Three- Witness and suspect cannot easily be developed and/or loss is less than $200.00
Note: This is strictly a recommendation. Consideration must always be given to your bank policy.

The following investigative guidelines are given to assist in the evaluation and qualification of assigned cases, in connection with your bank policy.
• Is there an actual or potential personnel safety problem?
• Is there a question of employee integrity or ethics?
• Is the asset loss amount or potential loss amount cost effective? (Worth it)?
• Does it involve unusual or sensitive issues as defined by management?
• Is the incident method used unique or one of a series or patterns developing?
• Is the subject known or not?
• Is it a unique contact or a repeat problem individual or group- employee-customer-other?
• Is the geographical location cost effectives?
• Is there available evidence- witnesses-accurate suspect identification- license numbers, documents, pictures, etc?
• What is the length of time since incident occurred?
• If necessary, is the incident referable to the criminal justice system?
• Is it a violation of the law?
• Will the law enforcement authorities, and/or the prosecutor’s office accept the incident for processing?
• Is the incident family related?
• Was the incident “preventable”, on the part of the bank, if in the opinion of the prosecutor adequate due diligence had been exercised during the new accounts or application process. Specifically this relates to credit card and new checking accounts?
• Overall, based upon the variables, how does an individual incident when compared to dozens of others rate in probabilities of attaining the investigative objectives of prevention, recovery or loss prevention and successful referral to a criminal justice agency?
• How available is an investigator and how can a new case best fit in or coordinate with the investigator’s current work load?

Please Remember! When a member of management, especially a senior manager, requested case is turned down, always give a ligament reason, such as listed above, for not accepting the case. Just be fair and truthful, and management will usually understand.

FIELD OFFICE DOCUMENTATION-(Where Applicable)
Each resident investigator field office should maintain the following mandatory documentation.
Library- Each library should consist of a bank security plan and alarm manual, an Investigator General Orders Manual, an emergency operations disaster plan and an emergency telephone contact list.
Investigator Case Docket- Containing an up-to-date court assignment. List.
Filing System- Containing a general file, a case pending file, a case suspense file and staff memorandums.
Staff Conferences- Consisting of staff conference minutes.
Staff Training- Consisting of staff training articles.

So, now you have It., the bottom line. Just prove your worth and management will be proud. In a former life, our security department consistently recovered funds or documented preventive losses in excess of the entire security budget, month after month. And, as a result, our department quickly grew from one local Investigator to four Regional Investigators.

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And if your bank is hit by a robbery at closing time, several things are likely. The robbery has been carefully planned, there’s a chance someone on the staff has been involved and the results can be devastating.

So, does your bank have a “closing procedure” or a “closing check list”? If not, why not. After all, as a banking official, you have been given certain mandates by the Board of Directors, as mandated by the Bank Protection Act (BPA). And, the number one priority is the protection of your customers, your employees and the bank’s assets.

CLOSING PROCEDURE OBJECTIVE

The closing procedure is much like an Opening Procedure, only in reverse order, with the objective being:

• The protection of employees involved in the closing procedure.
• The protection of customers who might still be present at closing.
• The protection of assets from loss during the bank closing.
• The protection of assets, from an indirect loss upon closing, in which someone is injured or killed and the bank is held partially responsible.

CLOSING PROCEDURE

• At the end of the banking hours an employee should lock all doors giving access to the banking lobby, and activate the lock or other device, (dead bolt locks, door bars) which makes it impossible to unlock the doors from outside. This should be done only after the lobby is surveyed for suspicious persons, such as checking the coupon booths, where someone could be hidden.
• As quickly as customers are served they should be escorted to the door and permitted to leave. After doing so, the doors should be relocked, as mentioned above.
• When all customers are believed to have left conducted an additional thorough search, of all areas where someone could be hiding, such as the restrooms and the break area.
• During the process just described, no one should be admitted unless positively identified and at least one employee who has unobstructed view of doors, lobby and teller stations should be positioned at an alarm activating device.
• The vault, or chest or safe with time locks should be locked as soon after the end of banking hours as possible.

Please note: Activating an alarm after normal business hours may generate a serious occurrence. If not properly trained.

However, the following procedures should take place before the above actions are carried out:

• All tellers have balanced or steps taken when out of balance have been performed.
• All compartments in which currency is stored have been inspected. These compartments should be unlocked and left open, so as to show no cash is stored, during non-banking hours.
• All currency station trash cans have been inspected.
• All compartments outside of the vault in which coins are kept have been inspected to ensure they are locked.
• All areas in which securities and valuables other than cash are kept have been checked and such items have been locked in the vault.
• The night depository has been locked using both the key and combination and the keys placed in the vault.
• Time looks, on proper storage areas, have been set and checked.

Then, after all closing procedures have been properly carried out the last person leaving the banking lobby should

• Open all blinds and curtains, including those at the drive-in window.
• Turn on all night lights not controlled by a timer.
• Lock all exterior doors.

Additional Security Tips:

• Robbers don’t just run in without doing some surveillance.
• All closing functions should be carried out under employee “duel control” ( always two banking employees)
• Vault time locks should be set to allow opening no earlier than 30 minutes before bank opening.

In the interest of time, each banking employee should be assigned certain closing duties and a written check list kept of each employee’s responsibility. These responsibilities should be rotated regularly.  

As critical as the closing procedure is, these procedures should regularly be discussed in each bank staff meeting. In other words, a “proactive”, rather than a “reactive” approach should be taken. Being prepared for a bad situation is the best way to keep everyone safe.

Please remember, bank’s go to great lengths to protect its employees and customers during the closing procedures. And each employee should understand, though the procedures may be time consuming, the procedures are designed for their protection…

Please Note:

Certain procedures, mentioned in this article, are general in scope for security rationale. For a detailed explanation of these, or any other banking security policies, please contact this author.

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Every year many innocent bystanders are doped out of large sums of cash, by professional “flim-flam” artistes, by way of well organized deception and fraud schemes.  And, for some reason, these con artistes seem to pick on the misfortunate and elderly.

 A simple definition of “Flim-flam states, “when you cheat people out of their money or a trick to get peoples’ money”.

Often times, a bank teller may innocently get caught up in a well organized plan to swindle individuals out of their bank funds. When this happens, the bank must have a definitive plan to help prevent such a move. Following, is a sample “Swindle Warning” policy, designed to help prevent such a loss.

SWINDLE WARNINGS

• Each teller, and banking lobby official, should have a supply of the “Swindle Warning” forms, to review with the customer.
• When the teller is suspicious of a cash withdrawal, the “Swindle Warning” should be given to the customer and the teller should vocally emphasize the importance of the warning.
• If a customer persists in the withdrawal and the teller still believes the customer is being victimized the teller should politely request that the customer sign the warning. Signing the warning should not a requirement for the withdrawal. However,   if the customer voices opposition, the teller should insist on a signature. If no signature is obtained, the teller should make a notation on the form that the customer was warned and refused to sign the document.
• If the customer persists in the withdrawal, after the teller has requested a signature, the teller should alert the banking manager.
• If suspicion persists that a swindle is in process, admitted by the customer or not, the teller should activate the security cameras as long as necessary to get proper pictures of the customer and of all others in the lobby.
• While counseling or questioning a customer, great care should be giving not to endanger the customer, as the swindle artist may also be in the banking lobby. Always, the first duty is to protect the customer. Next to the customer’s safety, comes the desire to catch the swindler.

A SAMPLE SWINDLE WARNING FORM

WARNING-PLEASE READ AND SIGN

Every year thousands of dollars are loss to swindle artist. You are about to make a large cash withdrawal. If you answer “Yes” to any of the following questions, YOU are likely an intended VICTIM.

Please check the questions that apply to your withdrawal.

• ____Have you been asked by a stranger to make this withdrawal?
• ____Were you contacted or visited by someone claiming to be a police officer, federal agent, bank examiner, or auditor?
• ____Were you ask to help in an investigation or to help catch a crooked employee?
• ____Were you told to give the money to a special agent at your home or at another location?
• ____Have one or more strangers offered to share a large amount of money with you if you put up the money in good faith?
• ____Has a stranger come to the bank with you?
• ____Have you been told not to tell anyone why you are withdrawing the money?

If you answer “YES”, to any of these questions, please ask the teller to call the security officer, another bank official or the police.

If after reading the above, you continue to wish the withdrawal, please sign and date this warning.

Signed ____________________________ Date___________________

Tellers seem to always be in the forefront of this type scheme, basically because they are the ones who handle the cash. However, from time to time, other banking officials may also be approached. So, it is very important that all banking locations have an up-to-date precise   “Swindle Warning” policy.

Please note: This article is only a sample, addressing the so-called “Confidence person” or “Bunco artists”. It is not intended, not does it claim in any way, to be the all inclusive solution to the crime. Each banking location is urged to consult with the proper auditing, legal and security authorities, when planning the banks “Swindle Warning” policies.

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The financial industry has the most critical need for rapid continuation of essential functions. Referred to as T-Time, two days is the maximum length of time a financial institution can effectively survive with non-productive data processing. After this T-Time has elapsed, the effects of loss of business and public confidence can negatively impact the institutions image and long term growth.

A disaster is any event which leaves the corporation in a non-productive mode. Consequently, the procedures for recovery should be written for the most probable serious occurrence. Events of lesser magnitude can be handled at the appropriate levels.

For planning purposes, it should be assumed that most disasters considered likely will occur with very little warning, have rapid development and have the potential for substantial destruction. A disaster does not necessarily start with a large impressive event. A small, localized fire can disrupt total operations.  The harm could be from water and smoke or essential equipment could be damaged or the power supply disrupted.

The principal concern at the time of the disaster is the safety and well being of the personnel involved. The principle business concern is the maintaining of accounting records. Other concerns are to minimize the disruption of services and daily business.

The disaster may be grouped in one of two major types, that being:

• A NATURAL DISASTER
• Floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, winter storms and hurricanes, etc.
• A MAN MADE DISASTER
• Fires, riots, strikes, sabotage, war and bomb threats, etc.

In order to assure the disaster recovery plan is effective and current, constant review and audits are necessary. As changes occur in the corporate structure, reporting requirements and personnel, the disaster recovery plan should be reviewed and updated accordingly. Periodic test at the designated site and “dry runs” are essential to determine system compatibility and recovery plan effectiveness.

To compliment any disaster plan. It is very important that corporation have a good comprehensive “Disaster Recovery Manual”.

The purpose of this manual is to provide the corporations Disaster Recovery teams with a formal outline of the task required to activate the phases of Disaster Recovery and to ensure the corporation has the ability and planning to recover from a disaster while minimizing the effects on a daily basis.

And, the objective of such a manual is to provide procedures for responding to a disaster that disrupts the operation of the corporation. After declaring a disaster, the plan is to restore critical applications to a reasonable service level within 24 hours.

 The Disaster Recovery Manual should include guidelines for:

• Recovery
• Event-notification
• Activation
• Mobilization
• Alternate site processing.

The Disaster Recovery Manual should also include the following agenda:

• The Command Center location.
• The alternate Command Center location.
•  Personnel Notification Guidelines
•  Fire and Police Emergency Contact Numbers
•  Personnel Emergency Contact Numbers.
•  An Organization Chart or Chain of Command.
•  Individual Assignments and Duties
•  Emergency Food and Drink Vendor Contact List.
•  Supply and Contract Vendor Contact List
•  Individual Department Supply Inventories
•  A Pre-Arranged  Special Equipment Location

The Disaster Recovery Manual should include the following representatives:

• The Disaster Recovery Coordinator.
• The Disaster Recovery Director.
• Clerical Support.
• The Internal Audit Representative.
• The Property Representative.
• The Supplies Representative.
• The Legal and Insurance representative.
• The Transportation Representative.
• The Security Director.
• The Public Relations Representative.
• The Telecommunications representative.
• The Productions Representative.

ASSUMPTIONS-CONCLUSIONS

• Operation’s contingency plans are necessary regardless of the probability of a disastrous event.
• The most common disastrous events occur during a time when the facility(s) are empty or at minimum staffing decreasing possible personnel loss.
• The probability of a disastrous event disrupting operations at the main headquarters and other branch locations simultaneously is a remote possibility.
• Disaster mode processing should include only the most critical applications relating to business operations, reporting requirements, and legally binding service agreements.
• During the critical times that follow a disaster, the effected personnel should be expected to temporally relocate and perform duties assigned and work as a team.

Remember; do not give messages regarding a disaster to anyone except individual Disaster Team members. This will help avoid inadvertent notification of disaster casualties and premature notification to the press.

Under no conditions should anyone make a statement to the news media except the Public Relations Representative.

 (Please Note: For assistance in formulating a Disaster Recovery Manual, or any other security subject help, please email this author.)

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Armed Robberies at Pharmaceutical storesOver the last couple of months, a new kind of crime wave has been slowly but gradually sweeping through the United States. Armed robbers are turning their attention from convenience stores and banks to pharmaceutical stores. In a bid to keep up with their vices, drug addicts are targeting pharmacies with an aim of getting prescribed drugs such as valium so as to feed their habits. From Mississippi to New York, juvenile delinquents are holding pharmaceutical store attendants at gunpoint. Some of the drugs stolen are worth tens of thousands of dollars but are sold for a paltry amount in the streets. One the incidences that still has most people in New York reeling in shock is a robbery incident where a store attendant was shot dead and two other customers were seriously wounded. With that kind of violence you would expect the robber to get away with thousands of dollars and a sack of prescribed drugs. However, the criminal managed to get away with a bottle of pills containing hydrocodone.The increase in crime waves in the streets of New York and other major cities such in the United States have mainly been attributed to joblessness. Most youths in the streets have nothing to do but idle around. As such, a majority of them end up being involved in drugs wand some join gangs. While the legislators in Washington drag their feet in creating laws that will allow for more companies to open up and expand their operations without being heavily taxed, crime is still increasing.Pharmaceutical stores are not the only ones that have felt the brunt of the rise in armed robbery cases. Neighborhoods that were once thought to be safe are no longer safe. As the need for affordable and better living quarters increases, the numbers of those being pushed from old housing projects are increasing. Without a home to go back to, most of these people are turning on the people taking up these residences. The number of people being carjacked on their gates and in traffic is on the rise. As such, this has led to most people arming themselves with guns in case they are attacked.It is believed that armed robberies targeting pharmaceutical stores have increased by at least 80% over the last 4 years. This is according to a study that was carried out by the US Drug Enforcement Administration. The number of drugs stolen between 2006 and 2010 can add up to 1.4 million dollars. This is a huge loss to the industry. The study found out that most delinquents preferred oxycodone pain killers. Most of them prefer these types of drugs because of the high it gives them.Loss of jobs has also left a number of people with no means to fend for their families. As such, the only means through which they can put food on the table is to rob another person at gun point. Whereas most robbers intentions is not to harm anybody, their deeds are leading to a lot of disquiet in the streets.

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Discussed herein, are tips and guidelines on how you can prevent shoplifting in your premises.

Arrange your goods

Arrange the aisles as well as displays so that your staff can have a clear sight of the entire store. If this is not possible, then make use of convex mirrors particularly in locations with blind spots.

Place less costly merchandizes closer to the exit and more costly goods far away from the door. This in turn deters thieves from being able steal costly items and escape before you can have a chance to apprehend them.

Place security tags on all merchandizes in the store. These ought to be tags that can only be removed at the teller.

Study shoplifting tactics

Restrict the number of goods that can be carried inside the fitting area. Secure all fitting areas so that clients should have staff with them. Compel your staff to take note of all the merchandizes that clients are carrying to the fitting area. Most shoplifters often utilize the fitting room as a place for concealing stolen goods underneath their garments.

Keep an eye on persons that seem to be loitering in the shop, or persons that seem to be keeping an eye on your staff. They could be looking for a chance to shoplift items when there is nobody watching.

Keep an eye on customers who wear oversized clothes, for example, baggy overcoats and the weather is not favorable for such attires. Likelihoods are that they are concealing goods beneath those clothes.

Involve your staff

The only way through which you can totally bring an end to shoplifting activities in your retail store is by involving your staff. You can do this by:

-          Having your staff greet each and every client coming into your store. Chances of a thief shoplifting an item are slim when he or she knows that they can easily be identified.

-          Provide incentives to staff that apprehend shoplifters. This in turn will make all your employees to be alert.

-          Let your staff know that persons who shoplift usually work in groups. Shoplifters will have one person distract other employees while his or her colleagues are busy stealing merchandizes. Instruct your staff to try as much as possible to avoid incidences that distract their attention.

Make use of technology

Install surveillance security cameras in your premises. Shoplifters are unlikely to steal in a retail store that has security cameras in them.

© Cristiano Ronaldo for Security World News, 2011. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
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So, what is a bank courier and what do they transport?  Simply put, a bank courier is defined as any bank employee transporting in their possession non-negotiable bank property from one point to another. Usually from the banking branches to the banks processing center. So, let us review the bank courier security in a little more detail.

COURIER DELIVERIES

Proof work, special deliveries and branch supplies should be transported in secure fire resistance containers.

CONTRACT SERVICE

Where practical, the above mentioned items should be transferred by banking in-house personnel. When such service is not available or is not cost effective, a contract service can be utilized. In this event, the banking legal authority should draft a very specific contract, in protection of the bank, specifying that the contract service be responsible for any recovery cost, if document reconstruction is necessary.

 COURIER EMPLOYEE SECURITY

• When possible, couriers should park at a location where the vehicle can be observed from within.
• Courier vehicle doors should be locked at all times whether parked, moving, vacant or occupied.
• Couriers should always be on the lookout for suspicious situations. Especially, when the same vehicle is observed over and over.
• If the courier feels followed, the courier should continue past the next scheduled stop to a safe location and notify the police.
• The courier should not stop, for any reason, while in route to or from a location, except for an emergency.

 VEHICLE SECURITY

• All vehicles should be unmarked.
• All vehicles, when possible, should have lockable trunks, electric door locks, audible alarm buttons on the remote key ring and fire extinguishers.
• Vans and camper shell pick-ups should have lockable rear compartments separated from the vehicle cabs.
• Private vehicles should not be used by bank employees unless approved by the bank Security Officer.

 COURIER SCHEDULING 

• Each banking location should have an updated copy of the courier schedule.
• If a courier does not arrive within a fifteen minute period after expected, the courier supervisor should be notified. The banks security manager and the police should be notified, if the delay cannot be explained.

 TRANSPORTATION

• All proof work, special deliveries and branch supplies should be transported in the vehicles locked trunk or a locked rear compartment.
• Transportation should be confined to the bank personal only, with no consideration given to so-called friends or hitch hikers.
• Couriers should not travel armed. If necessary, under special circumstances, this duty should be by an armed guard or member of the banks security department.

 CONTAINER CONSTRUCTION

• Local delivery containers should be constructed of a low impact type material such as plastic or cardboard.
• Over-the-road containers should be constructed of a high impact fire proof type material such as heavy cloth or metal,

 VEHICLE COMMUNICATION

• If the bank has a twenty-four hour alarm monitoring console, the vehicle could be equipped with two way radio devices.
• If no radio communication is available, the couriers should be equipped with cellular telephones.

Remember, even the most effective communication system is of little use if, during an emergency response, staff members cannot tell others their location. This problem can be reduced with the purchase of global positioning system (GPS) terminals. Inexpensive, small and lightweight, these terminals have become standard equipment for hikers, truck drivers, and aircraft. So, why not include the GPS tracking technology in courier transportation.

 TRAINING

• New couriers should be trained on all phases of the operation within a month of employment.
• Additional training sessions should be held at intervals no longer than six months.
• Training sessions should concentrate on the latest criminal trends against the banking courier industry.
• Banking courier security policies should always be reviewed.

 LESSONS LEARNED

Within two weeks after an attack or loss, the bank security department should analyze the occurrence and prepare a critique to include:

• Procedures that proved faulty and must be changed.
• Loss or injury resulting from failure to follow procedures.
• Successful application of procedures that resulted in the elimination of reduction of loss, prevention of injury, or apprehension of an attacker.

  PUBLIC RELATIONS

The fact that a loss or attack has occurred and the details of the occurrence should be communicated only to those who have a “need to know”, this is necessary for the protection of the loss items and to avoid customer panic. 

 CONCLUSION

Remember, there are many structural and procedural steps, most of which do not reduce efficiency or effectiveness, which will tend to deter criminal activity against the banks couriers. Ideally, these steps will be so subtle that they will not be offensive to the parties involved but so apparent that criminals will go elsewhere. Not all losses or attacks can be prevented, however, as there is no absolute defense against a determined attacker and some attacks are made by persons not rational enough to perceive the deterrents.  For these reasons all necessary steps should be taken continuously, to minimize such losses when attacks occur.

© ROBEY for Security World News, 2011. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
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(Is the majority of your bank investigators time spent in actually gathering facts and solving cases? Almost any fraud investigator can trace a bad check or investigate credit card fraud, but can they reach far beyond the traditional scope of fraud investigation by examining control weaknesses and emphasizing loss prevention. This innovative approach will quickly gain support of senior management by proving to be cost effective and deter crime, as an efficient fraud reporting system is utilized.)

 Someone once said, “the road to success is paved with reports”.  That old cliché certainly rings true, in today’s banking world. And, thanks to the now innovative statistical reporting systems, this process has been made a lot easier.

 So, why are reports that important? Simply put, if you as a banker don’t know what you are losing and when the losses are occurring, how can you prevent such loss? Therefore, the first phase of the reporting process must be the development of a statistical reporting system. And, in connection with this new reporting system, the bank must establish a “fraud investigation” policy.

 This policy must have the blessing of the bank’s legal staff, the audit staff and the branch banking executives. The policy should also cover the types of fraud to investigate along with the procedures to follow in conducting such investigations.

 The policy should emphasize using the criminal justice system rather than simply becoming an agent of the bank’s collection and recovery departments. This is very important, as word will surely and quickly get around, within the criminal ‘grapevine elements” that your bank will and does prosecute fraudulent criminal behavior.  

 Next, after the establishment of policy, a case filing system and a cross-index reference filing system should be developed. The object being to distinguish clearly and accurately the various types of cases investigated. This case numbering system should not only segregate the various fraud categories but also distinguish the geographic and demographic areas involved.

Here’s a simple but effective case numbering system.  The first numbering sequence should indicate the case year, the second numerical sequence should indicate the ongoing case number, the third numerical sequence should indicate the geographic area of the state and the final letter sequence should indicate the type case. For case 11-100-01-CK, 11 represents the year of the case, 100 is the ongoing case number, 01 represents the geographic area, and CK means it is a check case. In addition, the case jackets and cross-reference index cards could be color coded for quick, easy reference.

(Please note: a good computer word processing software package will do wonders for an otherwise novelist reporter.)

Once the case filing system is in place, the written report format may be developed. There again, keep this simple. You may choose to use four main reports, an investigator report, a supplementary report, a case status report, and an investigators informal notepad. Other miscellaneous reports, such as a suspect profile, photo lineup, and witness list, could be added as needed.

The case status report could contain a section designed to assist the branch banking system in identifying and tracking possible policy violations or weaknesses in control. However, this section should not be designed as a punishment but as an educational tool.

Investigators, receiving fraudulent information, from the branches in their jurisdictions, should first review the case facts, with the security department manager. If the case is denied, the denial facts should be noted on the case status report: to include a reason such as insufficient evidence or an insufficient reported loss amount. A copy of this status report should be sent to the reporting party. This additional feature will prove to be cost effective, as it will allow an investigator to separate the cases that apparently cannot be investigated and then concentrate on the workable ones.

A by-product, for the success of a fraud prevention program, is an in-house training program. The resident investigators can continuously update the branches on trends in the investigation industry and the latest criminal schemes. To include:

• verified trends- losses perpetrated against the bank
• calculated  trends- possible losses not yet realized

 One of the most important factors in any organization’s growth is proving its necessity and the worth of its staff. This can be accomplished by the unit’s monthly status report. This report should outline the investigators case categories: case activity, criminal justice activity: and loss, recovery, and prevention activity. A case worksheet should complement the status report, which gives a ready reference of all cases worked or pending.

An investigation unit will definitely forge ahead, by accurately reporting its worth. These criteria will turn an almost nonexistent fraud investigation function into one that is well recognized within the law enforcement and criminal justices circles, throughout the country. Yes, the road to success is truly paved with reports.

© ROBEY for Security World News, 2011. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
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As thousands of teenagers and young adults demonstrated in the streets of London, stores, properties and vehicles were attacked and burnt by opportunistic miscreants. Stores were plundered resulting in a lot of damage. This in turn has left dozens of business men counting the losses incurred, not knowing where to turn to for assistance.

Whereas it is true that there is nothing you can do to guarantee that your business is not targeted by rioters, there are a couple of measures that you can put in place so as to safeguard your business from rioting youth. Discussed herein, are a number of simple things that you need to keep in mind which will enable you to reduce the risks and cost that usually result due to violence.

Tips and guidelines

Tip #1 – Protect the building when it’s not occupied

It is paramount to safeguard your building to the best of your ability. Secure all doors and windows, particularly the ones facing the main roads and streets. Use cardboards or plastic sheets to cover the windows as this will prevent smoke set by rioters on the streets from slipping into your shop. In addition, install burglar proof grills on all the main doors and windows.

Tip #2 – Remove all valuables from your store

Try as much as possible to remove valuable items from your shop. If you have the time and means, arrange for the fixtures and stock to be removed from your business premise. Most businesses in London and neighboring cities incurred heavy losses after their stock were either looted or burned. Furthermore, make sure that there is no cash being kept in the shop. Not even in a safe.

Tip #3 – Make sure that you are adequately covered

Whilst taking an insurance coverage for your business, take time to go through the terms and conditions of the insurance policy coverage that you are taking. Make sure that there is no clause that excludes damages and loses that rises as a result of riots. Most insurance companies shy away from compensating business premises citing certain clauses.

Whereas the UK government has come out to reassure businesses that incurred lose that they would be compensated, it is critical that you take the first step in safeguarding your business from such incidences. Look for an insurance company that offers comprehensive insurance coverage against rioting.

Tip #4 – Do not be tempted to take the law into your own hands

Whilst most people have built their businesses through blood and sweat, do not be tempted into taking the law into your own hands if your business is attacked. Your life is worth more than your business. The looters may be able plunder your shop, but they will not be able to loot your brain.

© Cristiano Ronaldo for Security World News, 2011. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
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How to prevent your employees from getting poached

The best way is obviously pay them better and give them better compensation and benefits than your business rival. This is not always possible; the business rival may have deeper pockets and may be able to pay more. Other ways to keep employees satisfied include keeping them busy with challenging assignment. As far as possible give an employee the project he is interested in. You can also enter into a legal agreement with your employee not to join your rival. There are agreements that can prevent your employee from joining your direct rival at least one year after leaving your organization.

How to poach an employee from a rival company

It is quite natural for most companies to look into the abilities of their rival’s employees with an aim of enhancing their own performance in the market. As such, if you are looking for information on how to lure a rival’s employee, you’ll find this article quite an interesting read.

Hiring a member of staff from a competing company translates to bringing someone on board who is already familiar with your business operation, industry performance and as such brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. At times, they might even bring clients with them.

As exciting as this venture may seem, employing a member of staff from a rival needs caution and a particular level of diplomacy, particularly for a small-business entrepreneur. The procedure is filled with a lot of ups and downs. The last thing you want in your mind is to be regarded in the industry as a poacher, begin an eye-for-an-eye battle with a rival or, be taken to court for breaking a non-compete accord.

Therefore, prior to stepping out into the murky waters of employee poaching, there are a couple of things which you need to take into account.

Take a tactful approach

If you have the financial resources, hiring the services of a search firm can enable you to find potential applicants whilst keeping you at a safe distance from the likelihood of disgusting business of employee poaching.

A reputable search company makes use of a refined, diplomatic approach. They will hold discussions with likely applicants regarding “an opportunity” in unclear terminologies, until they can determine interest.

If your financial resource does not allow you to hire the services of a search firm, it is highly recommended that you duplicate the same approach used by search firms. Utilize your network of professionals to send a message that you are hiring, as well as making contact with the applicant you have an interest in on neutral grounds. If you employ an aggressive tactic in employee poaching, you stand the risk of losing likely business partners in the near future.

In the business world, the last thing you want is to burn bridges between business partners. However, if you have spotted an employee in another company with which you do not have any kind of business relations with, then you can proceed and hire the employee. On the other hand, if you are in an industry that has few players, you need to exercise caution whilst going about hiring an employee from a rival firm as the consequences can be quite grave.

© Cristiano Ronaldo for Security World News, 2011. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
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There are thousands of security guards in the United States of America and may possibly exceed the number of police officers. Whereas this has helped in reducing the cost of doing business, it has also made it pretty difficult for homeowners and entrepreneurs to make informed decision whilst hiring private security guards. As such, if you are searching for information on how to tell if your guard is properly trained, you will find this article quite an interesting read.

Discussed herein are ways through which you can determine whether or not your security is properly trained:

Communication skills

 The security guard ought to have excellent communication skills. This will not only enable him to fully comprehend the information being passed to them, but it will also be able them to know how to report the security situation within your property. The last thing you want is a security guard who is not in a position to convey any breach of security in the right words or to understand the orders being passed to them.

One of the most critical jobs that a security guard has to do on a daily basis is to provide reports regarding the day-to-day activities within your property. Hence, your security guard ought to provide you with a complete report on a daily basis regarding strange happenings, fraud incidences, property infiltration and existence of unauthorized persons. What’s more is that, the grammar and spelling used in the report should be up to standard.

Instinctive skills

One of the duties of security guards is to detect and deter crimes from happening. Nonetheless, how to do you check if your security guard has this quality? To do so, check if:

-          The guard is constantly monitoring the guests coming and leaving your premise. Does he have a logbook which he uses to record visitors details?

-          The guard is constantly pacing the premise. There is no way through which a guard can know what is happening within the premise if he is constantly stationed in one place.

Technical skills

Your security guard should be familiar with the operation of modern security gadgets such as metal detectors, surveillance security cameras and alarm systems. Knowledge of screening devices is extremely critical so as to deter passage of banned objects into restricted locations. In addition, the security guard should be able to operate an automobile as he or she may be required to escort a visitor to a particular area.

© Cristiano Ronaldo for Security World News, 2011. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
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The use of surveillance security cameras is becoming popular amongst most homeowners and entrepreneurs because it’s affordable and reliable. Surveillance security cameras have greatly altered the definition of security and safety of homes as well as business premises. There are different types of security surveillance cameras available in the market that differs from one another in terms of design, model and price. As such, they are not only affordable to most people, but can also be installed in virtually any location. The latest technological development in surveillance security cameras has greatly raised the levels of security surveillance, control and enforcement thus helping to prevent criminal activities in the process.

Discussed herein are reasons why you need to replace the extra security personnel with the state-of-the-art security devices:

Prevention of theft and criminal activities

The primary objective of fixing surveillance security cameras is to play the role of criminal activities deterrent. Burglars, robbers, shop lifters and petty thieves are unlikely to execute their intentions if they know that the premise is under 24 hours surveillance. It is quite easy to distract the attention of a security guard whilst someone else is busy carrying out their illegal activities. However, the same cannot be said of surveillance security cameras. Surveillance security cameras are usually used to keep an eye on suspicious activities taking place within a business or residential property. In case something that seems a miss is spotted, the security personnel on the ground can be alerted immediately. In addition, there are no limitations to where security cameras can be used. For example, surveillance cameras are used in banks, apartments, shopping malls and schools.

Guarantee security management at shopping malls

Shopping malls are usually frequented by large crowds. This in turn makes it extremely difficult security guards on the grounds to know what is going on. But, with the state-of-the-art surveillance security cameras installed in such premises, it then becomes easy for the management to monitor the going on in such premises.

Bolstering legal cases

Technological development in surveillance security cameras has seen the development or cameras that not only captures video but also audio. Hence, criminal activities such as mugging, sexual harassments and shooting can effectively be prosecuted in a court of law if they have been caught on camera.

Whereas security guards still help in maintaining some level of security in the business premise, you can minimize the cost of hiring them by installing cutting-edge surveillance security cameras.

© Cristiano Ronaldo for Security World News, 2011. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
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Below are some of the most common business security systems or measures that you can implement in your business:

1. Business Security Cameras:
   A security camera (or surveillance camera) can be used to protect against a variety of types of business theft including retail theft, employee theft of office supplies, and can even offer information security by showing you who is accessing certain areas, rooms, or terminals Another business security camera might be inside the store, pointing at the cash register to deter employees from stealing cash from the till or under-charging for merchandise, preventing employee theft.
2. Business Security Systems / Alarm Systems:
   An alarm or security system can be a deterrent from external business theft, especially in situations where cash is regularly “out in the open” between employees and customers (again, such as in banks or retail locations). Alarm systems and other business security systems also play an important role in protecting against business theft after normal business hours (such as automatically alerting the police if an intruder break into the store or office when employees aren’t around.
3.  Security Guards:
   If your business deals with extremely valuable items or has extensive information security needs (which could be anything from high-end jewelry to important industry trade secrets), it might be a good idea to have a security guard on the premises. Security guards can offer protection after hours in addition to an alarm or security system, or provide both theft prevention and employee protection services during normal working hours. Security guards can help to catch instances of employee theft, retail theft, or offer general corporate security – they’re a versatile business security option. 
4. Business Network Security / Computer Security / Information Security:
   Many, if not most, businesses relying on computers don’t allow employees to save anything on an individual computer’s hard drive for information security reasons. Instead, everything is saved to a network. This allows the company to monitor all files created, saved, and edited within the system, while tracking who accessed files at what time.

Internet Security:
With companies increasingly doing business on the Web, are you making an effort to protect your customers’ data? Information security goes beyond files stored on the corporate network. With the lingering fear of identity theft, many consumers won’t do business online with any company not using secure servers – in other words, any private data a customer sends to you online should be encrypted to stop third parties from being able to intercept and view it. Business security choices are many and you should make a wise choice!

© Ron McBride for Security World News, 2011. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
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Prior to digging deeper into how to hire a security guard, there are certain things which you need to take into consideration before hiring the services of a particular security guard company. For example, the last thing you want is to hire a security guard who not only lacks experience but is also not knowledgeable in security matters. The security guard you are about to hire ought to have good communication skills and understands the orders that you are giving to them. They also need to understand your business and understand what is important and needs to be kept safe.Language barrier is the one thing that you should consider when hiring a security guard. For instance, if someone tries to break into your warehouse and the security guard wants to explain what just happened but lacks the right vocabulary to explain the whole incident, you will be faced with a security situation that is hard to solve. What’s more is that, if there are conflicts in regards to the security situation on your business premises, good communication skills will help in resolving the matter amicably.Another important aspect you need to consider whilst looking for a professional security guard is observational skills. If the security guard is well trained, he or she will be in a position to recognize likely dangers even before they occur.The ability to prevent criminal tendencies is a must have in all security guards. This is perhaps one of the reasons why a majority of business owners tend to hire security personnel. In addition, the security guard should be able to utilize a mild force in case there is an intruder trying to break into your premise. Therefore, it is important that the security guard you are planning to hire be physically and mentally fit for the job at hand.Last but not least, you need to constantly review the performance of the security guard you are planning to hire. As such, you need to determine the amount of experience the security guard has.

© Cristiano Ronaldo for Security World News, 2011. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
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