ATL suddenly says "sim not present"

Do you remember if it was a “proper sized” SIM or a smaller one with an adapter?
There are reports (not only on Mikrotik hardware) of issues with the latter, see:
http://forum.mikrotik.com/t/device-got-hacked-1-min-after-connected-to-internet/178933/1
http://forum.mikrotik.com/t/device-got-hacked-1-min-after-connected-to-internet/178933/1
but it depends on type/model (and probably manufacturer) of the actual SIM socket, I have seen an installer of elevators/alarms that puts a bit of electrician sticky tape on the back on the SIM and then “forces” it in the slot, but there is the risk of bending the pins.