ATM Security Assessment services

ATM Security Assessment

ATMs are today more popular than bank branches for the cash transactions and other support services it offers. With the growing sophistication of cybercrimes, ATM networks are equally exposed to risk. This is when an ATM Security Assessment comes into the picture to help identify weak areas in an ATM network. It includes a series of assessment processes that scan the entire ATM ecosystem as a whole and not just the machine. The assessment includes identifying software, hardware, and communication vulnerabilities, design vulnerabilities, and process vulnerabilities. It prevents the vulnerability exploit of Trojan Skimmer and Ploutus attacks and limits unauthorized cash withdrawals. ATM Security Assessment is one way of detecting risk exposure and protecting payment card data.

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Our Approach to ATM Security Assessment

Bank ATM Architecture Review

Evaluate the network design of the ATM/POS environment analyzes the security controls in place and the connectivity between the ATM/POS environment and the bank network.

Internal Penetration Testing

Evaluate the security of systems in the ATM/POS environment including routers, firewalls, control system servers, database systems, and ATM switches.

Host Security Configuration Review

Assess the configurations of routers, firewalls, and ATM/POS servers against known industry best practices while looking for known vulnerabilities.

ATM Software Testing

Testing the payment and non-payment application on the ATM, as well as the communication in between, and to the backend systems.

Remote Access Review

Identify systems with dial-up and remote access capability that could allow an attacker to gain access to the ATM/POS network.

Policies & Procedures Gap Analysis

Evaluate the current policies and procedures for critical infrastructure against known best practices according to the RBI/NPCI security standards.

Machine-level Tests

All four areas of ATM security shall be assessed: Physical security, Network security, Application security, and Operating system Security.

Incident Response Capabilities

Analysis of the ability to recover from a cyber-attack and physical security of cyber assets.

Tactical and Strategic remediation

Technical and Executive staff briefing as well as a detailed report containing the test results. Evidence and recommendations separated into tactical and strategic categories shall be provided.

Interviews

Interviews with managers, operators, engineers, and system administrators.

Vendor Responsibilities

The ATM ecosystem consists of a high number of vendors who impact the operational security. Often, there are large gaps between the desired and needed security posture and the actual one due to vendors who consider security a low priority.

Remediation

Our key USP - Support to your team to understand the vulnerabilities -> exploits; Strategies in the remediation of the vulnerabilities identified.

Why work with VISTA InfoSec?

Vendor neutral Company- We believe in being your true consulting / audit partners by not indulging in sales of hardware/software that might create bias.

Strictly No Outsourcing- We value your trust in us so we do not outsource your critical assignments to another third party.

Industry Expertise- We will share industry-specific insight and provide relevant recommendations for achieving your goals of compliance.

Years of Experience- Your organization will benefit from our decade long years of Industry experience and knowledge.

End-to-end support- Our team will hand-hold you at every stage/process to implement security controls and systems to protect the environment.

Actionable recommendations- Our team provides remediation to mitigate the risks your environment faces from external attackers, Insider threats, automated worms, and network management errors to improve the security posture of your environment.

Reports detailing the analysis finding- Our team will provide you a comprehensive report with a prioritized list of vulnerabilities, compensating controls for vulnerabilities that cannot be directly addressed.

Vulnerability Management portal- Our vulnerability management portal includes a CxO dashboard, Two-factor authentication, SSL data encryption & real-time DR backups, Online Submission and tracking of VA/PT tasks, Customizable reports available only in a secure repository with encryption, Assign vulnerabilities to the team member and track closure of vulnerabilities identified.

Frequently Asked Questions on ATM Security Assessment

Is there a standard for ATM Security Assessment?

Yes. ISO 9564 is a Standard that outlines minimum security measures required for offline PIN handling and PIN data in an offline environment. The Standard applies to card-originated financial transactions that require offline PIN verification. This is also applicable to institutions responsible for implementing techniques for the management and protection of the PIN at Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and acquirer sponsored Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals. Apart from the ISO9564 Standard, PCI Council too has released a guide to give a very practical approach to ATM Security.

What will be the output of this activity?

Identify exploitable vulnerabilities in the ATM network (lack of encryption between ATM network and Process Center), software, and hardware (PIN pad, dispenser unit, card reader, etc).

Identify security flaws in systems.

Determine weak access controls

Prevent unauthorized cash withdrawals

Security of Payment Card Data.

How is scoping done for ATM Security Assessment?

Our consultants will work with you to understand your requirements and formulate a long term strategy (1-2 years). The strategy is then further broken down into monthly/quarterly milestones for effective progress tracking and delivery management. This will include Compliance and Governance (ISO 27001, SOC 2, PCI DSS, GDPR, CMMC, HIPAA, etc) process compliance, Vulnerability Assessments, Penetration Testing, and Application Assessments. The scoping would include policies and procedures, all ATMs, backend switch, vendors meant for ATM Servicing, and other processes such as Cash Replenishment to name a few.

How often do I need to do an ATM Security Assessment?

The ATM Security Assessment involving regular ethical Hacking tests and vulnerability scanning on the ATM’s network including the wireless access point presence testing, Black box Penetration Testing, Malware analysis, and Source Code review of the ATM’s firmware should be performed annually.

What is the validity of the reports?

An audit is for a point in time. Reports are typically valid and accepted by regulatory bodies for about a year.

Will the ATM Security Assessment Reports be given to the Central Bank or the Payment brands?

Unless we are appointed by the Regulator to audit the ATM processes of a vendor, we submit the reports only to you (ATM vendors/banks) who appoint us for the internal audits.

How does an ATM Security Assessment benefit you?

Secures and close unnecessary ports against hackers and worms

Prevent unauthorized access to the ATM network.

Ensures security against unauthorized cash withdrawal

Limits Logical and Data Attack targeting the ATM’s software OS.