10.1 Cash-in-Transit and Cash Centre Security
Key Takeaways
No person or company may transport money without a CIT security licence (Article 44), and counting, sorting or storing cash requires a separate cash centre licence (Article 45).
CIT vehicles must be armoured to at least level G2 under BS 5051 or an equivalent standard, with at least two internal compartments, 360-degree vision, cameras, tracking, communications and an attack alarm (Article 51).
Each money run needs two CIT guards plus a driver, and the driver stays inside the vehicle at all times (Articles 56 and 61).
After an accident, the crew stays inside the vehicle until traffic patrols arrive (Article 57); any incident is reported by phone at once and in writing within 24 hours (Article 56).
Under Article 120, a crew member who leaves a vehicle unguarded while it holds money is fined AED 500 per guard, and not using the approved boxes costs AED 300 per guard.
Quick Answer: Moving money and valuables is a separately licensed security service. The company needs a CIT licence (Article 44) and, to count or store cash, a cash centre licence (Article 45). Vehicles must be armoured to at least G2 (BS 5051) and fitted with cameras, tracking and alarms (Article 51). Each run uses two guards plus a driver who never leaves the cab (Articles 56 and 61). Crews stop only to provide the service, stay locked in after an accident until traffic patrols arrive (Article 57), and report every incident immediately (Article 56).
Why CIT matters to a basic guard
A newly licensed guard starts as a general security guard. A guard needs at least one year in that category before applying for another individual licence, such as CIT guard (Ministerial Decision No. 557, Article 98). NSI's CIT course also asks for five years' police, security or military experience, two of them in the UAE, an age of 26–55, and a licence from ASSD, PSFRD or SIRA held for two years. Even so, cash in transit is part of the Basic Security Guard syllabus. General guards meet CIT crews at banks, malls, ATMs and cash centres, and must know what crews may and may not do.
Licensing (Chapter 3 of the order)
- Article 44: nobody, whether private, governmental or semi-governmental, may transport money without the necessary security licence.
- Article 45: a company may not count, lay out or store cash or valuables without a cash centre licence.
- Article 46: only vehicles licensed by the authority may be used to move money.
- Article 47: CIT buildings, including offices, a control room and a safe vehicle-receiving area, must be approved.
- Article 48: the control room must be able to trace and contact vehicles. It holds maps, operating schedules and the names of all CIT guards.
- Article 55: the company reports the movement of all CIT vehicles to the authority by 8 o'clock each morning.
The CIT vehicle (Article 51)
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Armour | Fully armoured on all sides, at least G2 under BS 5051 or equivalent |
| Layout | At least two internal compartments |
| Exits | A door for entry and exit plus an evacuation hatch in the roof, as well as the driver's and crew doors |
| Vision | Full 360-degree vision for the driver |
| Cameras | Front, rear and internal cameras that record activity inside and outside |
| Tracking | Devices that let the company trace the vehicle's position directly and continuously |
| Communication | Equipment to contact the company in an emergency |
| Alarm | Alarm bells for use if the vehicle is attacked |
| Other | Emergency breakdown tools; air-conditioning, proper seats and seat belts for the whole crew, including an armed policeman |
The vehicle must pass a security check before it is registered with the traffic department (Article 52). The authority may inspect CIT vehicles at any time within a security zone (Article 54).
The crew and the run
- Approved boxes only: money is moved only in boxes approved by the authority (Article 56(1)).
- Crew size: two CIT guards in addition to the driver. The guards collect and carry while the driver always stays inside (Articles 56(2) and 61).
- Nationalities: the CIT company must recruit from various nationalities, with at least one GCC national (Article 58).
- Driver: wears company uniform and holds a licence from the authority (Article 59).
- No unnecessary stops: the crew may not stop the vehicle, open the doors or get out except to provide the CIT service (Article 57).
- Armed escort: the authority can require armed guards, for a fee, when there is threat information, the cargo exceeds the insured value, operations are faulty or infringements are frequent (Article 60).
Breaks
- With an empty vehicle, the crew may take breaks inside a security zone, such as a bank or police site, before collecting or after depositing money (Article 62).
- With money on board outside a security zone, one guard at a time may use facilities while the rest stay in the locked vehicle with the keys inside. The vehicle is parked at a police building or near a police vehicle, or otherwise in an open area visible to the public. Public toilets may be used only if the trip will not exceed three hours. The company control room must always be told first (Article 63).
Incidents, breakdowns and accidents
- Any incident or breakdown: inform the authority by telephone at once, stating the sum on board and the vehicle's location, and send a written report within 24 hours (Article 56(3)).
- Breakdown with money on board: the company sends an armoured replacement vehicle, and police must be present until the cargo has been transferred (Article 64).
- Accident: the crew stays inside the vehicle until traffic patrols arrive (Article 57).
Cash centres (Chapter 4 of the order)
Cash centre buildings must be approved and equipped (Article 67). They need offices, a control room, a money-sorting room, an armoured safe, a safe vehicle-receiving zone, counting and sorting machines and counterfeit detectors. Entry procedures under Article 69 include:
- an authorisation for every person allowed to enter;
- logging each person's entry and exit times;
- naming who may access the safe and who holds its keys;
- set procedures and times for opening the safe;
- a monitoring (CCTV) circuit inside and outside the centre.
Threats and the crew's response
NSI's CIT course includes CIT threats and vulnerabilities, dealing with traffic problems, dealing with armed attack, self-defence, crime scene preservation and report writing. Common threats include:
- "Across the pavement" robbery, between the vehicle and the customer's door, which is the most exposed moment;
- ambush on a predictable route or at a predictable time;
- insider information, where routes, values or schedules are leaked;
- distraction, such as staged accidents, fake police or false breakdowns.
Good practice: vary routes and times as the company directs; check the area before the door opens; keep conversations about schedules confidential; and if an armed attack happens, do not resist. Protect life, observe descriptions, activate the alarm when it is safe, and report at once. Property is insured and lives are not replaceable.
What a general guard does when a CIT crew arrives
- Keep the delivery area clear and do not obstruct the crew or the vehicle.
- Never ask the crew to leave the vehicle unattended or to wait in an unsafe place.
- Watch for loiterers or vehicles that seem to be observing the delivery, and report them to the control room.
- Do not discuss CIT schedules with anyone.
Section summary checklist
- Licences: CIT (Article 44), cash centre (Article 45), approved vehicles (Article 46).
- Vehicle: G2 (BS 5051) armour, 2 compartments, roof hatch, 360-degree vision, cameras, tracking, alarm.
- Crew: 2 guards plus a driver who stays inside. At least one GCC national in the company.
- Stops only for service. After an accident, stay inside until traffic patrols arrive. Report by phone now and in writing within 24 hours.
- Fines: leaving a loaded vehicle unguarded AED 500 per guard; not using approved boxes AED 300 per guard.
Under Article 56 of Ministerial Decision No. 557 of 2008, what is the minimum crew for a cash-in-transit run?
Two CIT guards plus a driver who stays in the vehicle
One driver and one armed police officer, with no private guards needed
Three guards, all of whom may leave the vehicle together at each stop
One guard who also drives the vehicle and carries the boxes at each stop
A loaded CIT vehicle is involved in a minor road accident outside a security zone. What does Article 57 require the crew to do?
Drive away from the scene at once in case the collision was staged as an ambush
Move the cash to a taxi so that the delivery schedule can continue without delay
Stay inside the locked vehicle until traffic patrols arrive, then report the incident
Get out immediately to inspect the damage and exchange details with the other driver
Which standard does Article 51 of Ministerial Decision No. 557 set for the armour of a CIT vehicle?
Any level of armour that the bank or other client approves in the contract
Full armour on all sides, at least level G2 under BS 5051 or an equivalent standard
Armour on the rear cargo doors only, where the cash boxes are carried
Bullet-resistant glass on the windscreen only, with standard steel body panels
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