External Measures
OM-5.1.1
The content of this section is applicable to all full commercial banks licensed by the Agency in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
OM-5.1.2
All head offices are required to maintain Ministry of Interior ("MOI") guards on a 24 hours basis. All branches must maintain a 24 hour MOI guard. However, if branches satisfy the criteria mentioned in paragraphs OM-5.1.3 to OM-5.1.20 below, they may maintain MOI guards during opening hours only. Furthermore, banks will be allowed to replace MOI armed guards with private security guards subject to the approval of the MOI. Training and approval of private security guards will be given by the MOI. Head Offices must always have a 24 hour MOI guard.
OM-5.1.3
Public entrances to head offices and branches must be protected by measures such as steel rolling shutters, or the external doors must be of solid steel or a similar solid material of equivalent strength and resistance to fire.
OM-5.1.4
Other external entrances should have steel doors or be protected by steel rolling shutters. Preferably, all other external entrances should have the following security measures:
• Magic eye.• Locking device (key externally and handle internally).• Door closing mechanism.• Contact sensor with alarm for prolonged opening time.• Combination access control system (e.g. access card and key slot or swipe card and password).OM-5.1.5
If additional security measures to those mentioned in OM-5.1.3 and OM-5.1.4 such as security cameras, motion detectors or intruder alarms are installed, the requirement for steel external doors or protection by steel rolling shutters is waived.
OM-5.1.6
External windows should have security measures such as anti blast films and movement detectors. For ground floor windows, banks may also wish to add steel grills fastened into the wall.
OM-5.1.7
Branch alarm systems should have the following features:
(a) PIR motion detectors(b) Door sensors(c) Anti vibration/movement sensors on vaults(d) External siren(e) The intrusion detection system must be linked to the bank's (i.e. head office) monitoring unit and also the MOI Central Monitoring Unit.
