Redefining Vault Security
How Seismic & Vibration Detection Protect What Matters Most
Seismic and vibration detectors are redefining how businesses protect high-value assets.
By detecting attacks in their earliest stages – whether it’s drilling into a vault, tampering with an ATM, or applying force to a safe – these technologies dramatically reduce the risk of break-ins. With real-time vibration monitoring, security teams gain critical time to respond before damage or theft can occur. Today’s most effective business security systems combine physical strength with intelligent seismic sensing, creating a smarter, more proactive approach to vault and perimeter security.
Key Takeaways
- What does a seismic detector do?
A seismic detector is a security sensor that identifies vibrations caused by forced entry attempts like drilling, hammering or explosions. - What’s the difference between a seismic detector and a vibration detector?
Seismic detectors are highly sensitive to aggressive, attack-related vibrations (e.g. pneumatic drilling). Vibration detectors, more broadly, provide continuous monitoring for structural shifts, tampering or environmental stress. - How does seismic vibration detection improve ATM and vault protection?
Real-time seismic detectors detect tampering early, giving teams time to respond, prevent theft, and keep ATMs and vaults operational. - How do vibration detectors avoid false alarms?
High-quality vibration detectors use adjustable sensitivity settings to filter out common disturbances and detect only real threats. - Why integrate seismic and vibration detection in one system?
Combining seismic detectors with vibration monitoring allows you to detect both sudden intrusions and subtle warning signs.
Why Traditional Vault Security Isn’t Enough Anymore
A solid vault isn’t just about thick doors and steel walls. Modern threats are faster, quieter and smarter. Whether it’s a remote ATM, a secure facility, or a high-value safe deposit room relying on mechanical strength alone leaves critical gaps.
Seismic detectors and vibration monitoring sensors are the invisible layer of intelligence that alerts you to danger before attackers get in. Think of them as your early warning system – silent, smart and always on.
What Is a Seismic Detector and How Does It Work?
A seismic detector senses shock waves caused by physical attacks like cutting, hammering, grinding, or drilling. Using high-sensitivity sensors and calibrated algorithms, it triggers immediate alarms when vibration patterns match intrusion profiles.
Unlike standard motion sensors, seismic detectors are:
- Mounted directly onto vault walls, safes or ATM enclosures
- Immune to ambient noise and harmless vibrations
- Designed to detect attacks in their earliest stages
Adjustable dip switches or software tuning let installers fine-tune the sensitivity, ensuring the system detects real threats while avoiding false alarms.
Explore RISCO’s seismic detector
Real-Time Protection with Vibration Monitoring
Vibration detectors take this further. Instead of waiting for an attack, they continuously monitor the structural integrity of your vaults or safes. They capture measured vibration data in real time, helping you spot:
- Subtle tampering or movement
- Shifts in infrastructure (e.g. due to construction or wear)
- Mechanical fatigue before it leads to failure
These sensors turn your physical security from reactive to proactive by identifying changes before they escalate.
Use case: Over 100,000 ATMs are safeguarded by RISCO’s seismic detectors. The system detects drilling, hammering, and even temperature-based attacks in real time — alerting security teams before criminals reach the cash module and preventing costly damage.
Build smarter protection into every vault and ATM
RISCO’s seismic detectors offer precision monitoring, fast response and peace of mind exactly when it matters most.
Vibration Detection in Vaults, Safes and Storage Facilities
Seismic detectors with vault protection aren’t just for banks.
They’re ideal for:
- Government strongrooms
- Logistics and storage hubs
- Museums and archival vaults
- Data centres and server enclosures
How this helps: A national courier company installed vibration detectors on secure vault boxes across their network. Within weeks, the system flagged unauthorised access attempts at an unmanned location, preventing potential loss of sensitive packages.
These detectors can be calibrated per location, surface, and risk profile – making them versatile tools in high-security environments.
Elevating ATM Protection with Seismic Technology
Remote ATMs are soft targets. They’re often unmonitored and vulnerable to:
- Physical break-ins
- Drilling or gas attacks
- Ram raids
Seismic vibration detectors provide an invisible shield. When mounted inside the ATM cabinet, they detect structural attacks the moment they start and even before criminals reach the cash module. The system can automatically lock down, alert the response team, and activate countermeasures.
The result? Fewer losses. Faster response. Stronger deterrence.
Filtering the Noise: How These Sensors Prevent False Alarms
Not every vibration is a threat. That’s why vibration detector alarm security sensors are built with:
- Dip-switch sensitivity settings
- Advanced vibration pattern recognition
- Immunity to background activity (e.g., nearby roadworks, HVAC)
This ensures security teams aren’t overloaded with false alerts. Instead, they can focus on the real threats while keeping uptime and trust high.
The Future: Continuous Condition Monitoring and Predictive Security
High-value security today is about foresight and not just reaction. That’s why RISCO’s solutions support:
- Long-term vibration trend analysis
- Condition monitoring of vault structure and components
- Integration with building management systems and control panels
This transforms your vault into a living, learning system. One that not only reacts but also predicts – identifying vulnerabilities and reinforcing weak points before they’re exploited.
Why Choose RISCO for Seismic and Vibration Detection?
- Proven experience across banking, logistics, critical infrastructure
- Fully certified systems built to international standards (e.g. EN 50131-2-6)
- Precision sensors with adjustable sensitivity
- Seamless integration with broader RISCO intrusion and monitoring platforms
- Trusted by professionals in over 70 countries
