ATMIA US Conference

Defending the Super ATM from security threats

Super ATMs are making major headways in the industry, but they share the same security issues. Here's how to make Super ATMs secure, no matter where they are deployed.

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February 24, 2026 by Bradley Cooper — Editor, ATM Marketplace & Food Truck Operator

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With the onset of advanced ATM features, operators are starting to embrace the term Super ATM to describe these self-service banking platforms. However, just because they are advanced doesn't mean they are immune from security threats. Financial institutions and independent ATM deployers need strategies to secure these Super ATMs.

Paul Nicholls, director of business development at Oberthur Feercia, and Preston Suggs, SVP, ATM business systems manager at Regions Bank, discussed the topic in depth during a breakout session at the ATMIA conference held Feb.10 to 12.

Super ATM growth

Super ATMs are growing due to bank branch closures and changing customer expectations for expanded ATM services such as deposits, recycling, and financial services.

"We are closing branches at a record rate in Europe, and you have got to have representation in rural towns," Nicholls said. He added that if you don't use Super ATMs for this purpose, you risk financially disenfrachising rural customers.

Nicholls gave an example of the NCR Atleos Allpoint Network of surcharge free ATMs which, "enable smaller banks to achieve national coverage, maintain brand presence, and compete effectively."

Security issues

Yet for all its benefits there are many security issues with Super ATMs.This is due, in part, to the fact that these ATMs have cash recycling capabilities and carry larger denominations such as $50 or $100 bills.

As Independent ATM deployers gain access to these Super ATMs, they will deploy them in areas that are often not as safe as banks, such as convenience stores.

"A lot of their ATMs are located in places that FIs won't put their ATMs even in sketchy locations," Suggs said.

For ATM security, banks primarily view it as a customer experience issue, as customers will be unhappy when a machine is missing or out of service. For IADs, it's a revenue issue as every downed ATM represents lost revenue.

Security of today vs. tomorrow

Banks and IADs have played a wack a mole game with ATM security, according to Nicholls, such as installing stronger safes. However, these don't actually prevent thefts, they just make it harder for criminals.

He said in Europe due to the advanced security measures, explosive attacks are very common.

"In Europe, you blow the top off into the ATM, then you drop another explosive inside to blow the door off. In the U.S., you're behind the curve because a lot of your ATMs are easy pickings. Once you start putting in more security, you'll see more explosive attack."

Suggs said Regions Bank first put in blockers in 2021 to mitigate the massive rise in hook and chain attacks in 2021. However, criminals adapted and those blockers became ineffective by 2022.

Nicholls said to secure Super ATMs, you need to, "design security for the future, not the legacy attacks you're experiencing."

One prevention method

Nicholls recommended the best method for prevention is the intelligent banknote neutralization system. With this method, when the ATM detects an attack, the system stains the banknotes with ink that makes it unusable.

"The French standard is 100% of notes to a minimum of 20%," Nicholls said.

Suggs said Regions ran a pilot of this IBNS program in a high crime area and had great success.

"We had five attacks, by the fifth attack which was a repeat attack, they left the area alone. We had a tremendous decline in attack attempts," Suggs said.

He pointed to the necessity of this system as ATMs are easy targets, with low risk and high reward.

"The usual yield for ATMs is $100,000 with less than two years of prison time whereas bank robbery is $4,000 with 10 years of prison time. IBNS is the only deterrent that works consistently," Suggs said.

By adopting IBNS, Nicholls argued IADs can successfully deploy Super ATMs in "higher-risk, higher demand areas." This in turn will improve uptime as criminals will leave machines alone that have IBNS.

Lastly, the IBNS doesn't deter customers in the same way as barriers or bars. It simply works to deter criminals.

About Bradley Cooper

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Bradley Cooper is the editor of ATM Marketplace and Food Truck Operator. He was previously the editor of Digital Signage Today. His background is in information technology, advertising, and writing.

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