Unintended Consequences: Locked In at the ATM

Terry Hardy

doi:10.56094/jss.v51i2.155

Authors

Terry Hardy Great Circle Analytics

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56094/jss.v51i2.155

Keywords:

ATM, lock, lessons learned, priorities, safety, security

Abstract

On Thanksgiving Day in 1999, a customer entered the Commerce Bank in Raritan Township, New Jersey, intending to withdraw money from the Automatic Teller Machine (ATM). Although the bank was closed for the evening, customers were able to enter the outer lobby to use the ATM. The customer entered the ATM lobby at approximately 8:59 p.m. At 9 p.m., while the customer was completing his transaction, security software instructed the exterior doors of the ATM lobby to lock.

Author Biography

Terry Hardy, Great Circle Analytics

Terry Hardy leads efforts in system safety and software assurance at Great Circle Analytics. Mr. Hardy has over 25 years of experience and numerous publications in the areas of launch vehicles, space propulsion, cryogenics, software, safety analysis, and risk management. Prior to founding Great Circle Analytics, he led software safety and assurance efforts at Special Aerospace Services and at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; responsibilities included membership on the Constellation Safety Engineering Review Panel. Mr. Hardy also was the Principal Engineer for Reliability in FAA's Office of Commercial Space Transportation, leading efforts to develop safety, reliability, and risk management regulations, guidance documents, and training. Mr. Hardy holds a BS degree in chemical engineering, an MS degree in chemical engineering, and an MS degree in civil engineering. He also has been certified as a Reliability Engineer, Quality Engineer, and Software Quality Engineer through the American Society for Quality.