How do I defend against a ram-raid?

Protecting banks and ATMs

What is a ram-raid?

A ram, originally, is an item of equipment which is swung sideways to destroy doors or entrances in order to access a protected area.

Nowadays, it is ordinarily used by security forces, in the form of small metal rams, to break open locked doors.

In a bank context, the ram generally takes the form of a car or construction vehicle, driven at high speed with the aim of smashing open the access door to the ATM.

In all cases, the aim is to break open the door in order to enter an area unlawfully and to strip it of a maximum of assets in a minimum of time, before making an escape.

A new type of break-in

Banks have made a significant change in how they operate; attacks on automatic teller machines are on the increase, whereas traditional hold-ups are less common.

Effectively, cash is no longer instantly available at bank counters.

It is stored in the local secure technical enclosure, access to which is heavily protected and highly controlled.
What’s more, access to the safe is fitted with a door opening timing system which deters the more experienced criminals.
Instead of hold-ups, they prefer other types of attack, such as ram-raids on ATMs.

How do I obstruct a ram-raid?

Several measures can be implemented side-by-side to obstruct a ram-raid as much as possible.

Sometimes, security bollards or concrete blocks can be laid on the sidewalk opposite the entrance to the ATM door, which significantly reduces ram-raid attacks using vehicles.However, this solution cannot always be implemented, given its proximity to the public highway.

Installing an anti-ramming, armored door is therefore vital in combating or obstructing a ram-raid as much as possible.

2 possible configurations of the secure technical enclosure

1. Without a lobby door

For banks without lobby doors in the secure technical enclosure, installing a door assembly combined with a high-security lock which has passed anti-ramming tests carried out by an independent body (CNPP) is then mandatory.

2. With a lobby door

For banks with lobby doors in the secure technical enclosure, a door assembly combined with an RC5 - RC6 lock in accordance with the EN 1627 standard is sufficient.

Attempted break-in resistance classes: Armored door, EN 1627 standard

European standard EN 1627 is the one covering armored doors. It defines six classes of resistance to attempted break-in, with Class 1 offering the minimum level of protection, and Class 6 the maximum level.

The classification operates on the basis of two key criteria: the tools used by the intruder, and the period of time over which the door is resistant to attack.
To do this, manual attempts at breaking in are firstly carried out on the door.

It is recommended to adopt Classes 4 to 6 for an armored door on a business premises or for a sensitive public building.

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break-in resistance Armored door in banking
Credit photo: Doortal

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