Page 33 - Security Today, January/February 2020

“Today’s kiosks and self-service equipment often need more than one type of electronic access solution to achieve the required level of access control.”
should assess when considering the value of using EAS. Compliance. EAS provides the increased level of security and access tracking that is called for by both the PCI DSS and GDPR. These include strong access control measures, such as assigning a unique ID to each person who could potentially ac- cess cardholder data, and the ability to monitor and record access
over time for audit trail purposes.
Ease of integration. Since most stand-alone kiosks already
possess onboard digital systems and network connections that require service staff to provide passwords and other credentials, with the right solutions, adding EAS technology can be done in- expensively and seamlessly.
Service staff access. If there are multiple service staff who need to access that piece of equipment, managing and distribut- ing mechanical keys can be time consuming and present ongoing security risks.
Remote access support. If an emergency or time-sensitive situ- ation arises where service staff needs to access the kiosk quickly, getting them the physical key for the mechanical lock can be problematic. EAS systems can support remote access, for exam- ple by sending a time based digital key to the service person’s smartphone for immediate access.
Aesthetics. Many kiosks are designed to be eye catching and distinctive — and the presence of a mechanical lock can detract from that designed appeal. Electronic locks can be easily concealed and integrated into kiosk access panel designs. This also adds to the physical security by concealing potential attack points.
Electronic Access for
Different User Needs
Today’s kiosks and self-service equipment often need more than one type of electronic access solution to achieve the required level of access control. For example, a kiosk that rents chargers for electronic devices controls the renter’s access through a user in- terface, such as a credit card reader or mobile device. The user interface is connected to a controller that routes the signal to the appropriate compartment lock.
Repair technicians and inventory managers have different ac- cess requirements. Remote kiosks need to be accessed to restock products or refill cash repositories, as well as for routine main- tenance and technician access when repairs are needed. Access must be managed and tracked to maintain the physical integrity of the kiosk and its contents. Owners may want to limit access by service staff to specific areas of the kiosk. With electronic access solutions, operators can remotely issue service technicians time- based electronic credentials for specific compartments.
Another rapidly emerging application that EAS can help support is industrial vending systems. This is a relatively new standalone kiosk concept that is being developed for manufac- turing facilities to help improve their supply chain efficiencies and lean operations.
Suppliers of components or materials for assembly will posi- tion self-service kiosks on factory floors fully stocked with the materials needed for manufacturing or assembly operations. The manufacturing staff access the kiosk using RFID or other access devices to remove parts or tools as needed. EAS provides the ac- cess control and tracking so that staff only access the materials they need for the specific task or production process they are as- signed to.
Through EAS, both the manufacturer and the distributor or supplier gain access to real-time data about production, material usage, tool usage and other information. The manufacturer can track what parts or materials were withdrawn from the kiosk and assign cost tracking to each finished product. The supplier can incorporate the EAS data to efficiently manage inventory replen- ishment so that only the parts or materials needed are on hand when the manufacturer needs them for operation.
A Word About Design
Display and self-service kiosks use a full range of industrial de- sign techniques to create distinctive, branded units with immedi- ate visual appeal to the audiences they target. Unfortunately, it is often the case that locking mechanisms required to secure these kiosks aren’t addressed until late in the design process.
That desired appeal — the quintessential “high-tech” pres- ence — can be compromised when the locks chosen do not match the overall aesthetic or the locking devices incorporated into the design fail to operate effectively over the long-term which can ul- timately cause quality issues and negative customer experiences.
Self-service equipment manufacturers can avoid these issues by making locking and access hardware selection a key part of the design process early on. Southco has decades of experience with engineering both mechanical and electronic access hardware solutions to meet additional industrial design requirements. Solu- tions exist today that can be adapted to work with existing elec- tronic systems to integrate smoothly into the kiosk’s design.
Looking Towards the Future
As stand-alone kiosks expand into new applications and incor- porate more sophisticated technologies, ensuring that this equip- ment provides intuitive end user access while maintaining physi- cal security must become a fundamental part of kiosk design. By incorporating electronic access solutions into kiosk designs early on, manufacturers can save time and resources while satisfying the physical security requirements and aesthetics of the overall design.
For operators of stand-alone kiosks who must remotely manage routine access and maintenance, EAS provides a real- time solution for controlling and tracking to whom, when and for how long access is granted, protecting valuable self-service equipment and its contents from the risk of theft. Digital, inter- active stand-alone kiosks provide an useful tool that millions of people use and appreciate each day — and by making sure they are safe and secure, their appeal and value
will continue to grow.
Steve Spatig is the general manager, Electronic Access Solutions, at Southco Inc.
1. 2019 Cost of a Data Breach Report, IBM Security,
https://databreachcalculator.mybluemix.net/
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