Page 30 - Security Today, January/February 2020

Under Lock and Key Using Electronic Access Solutions to Enhance Stand-Alone Kiosk Security
By Steve Spatig
The interactive has become a valuable, steadily- growing commercial and informational tool since the launch of the first banking ATM in the 1980s. It is an essential part of our modern-day digital landscape.
Due to advances in broadband networks and touchscreen tech- nologies, kiosk-based transactions have evolved from ATMs, vend- ing machines and self-service fuel dispensers. They include a host of new applications, including everything from remote merchan- dise pickup and parcel exchange to digital ordering kiosks and gaming systems, such as lottery sales and electronic slot machines.
All have several factors in common. They are automated sys- tems that feature expensive equipment and are located in a wide range of often unattended sites. They can store valuable prod- ucts, give access to valuable services and —crucially— incorpo-
rate technology to capture personal and financial information in order to facilitate transactions. They are also connected to corpo- rate transaction networks, which can make them points of entry to hackers. In addition, many of these self-service kiosks can re- ceive or dispense money.
Given these factors, kiosk designers, builders and end users need to make a critical assessment of how these systems are se- cured. Whether located indoors or outdoors, stand-alone kiosks include several features that need to be considered when selecting a security solution:
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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 | SECURITY TODAY
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These kiosks enclose and protect critical equipment — touch- screens, processors, credit card readers and technology that con- nects to either the internet or proprietary corporate networks. They need to be accessed on a routine basis by consumers as well as a variety of staff performing maintenance, restocking
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