Physical security information management

Physical security information management (PSIM) is a category of software that provides a platform and applications created by middleware developers, designed to integrate multiple unconnected security applications and devices and control them through one comprehensive user interface. It collects and correlates events from existing disparate security devices and information systems (video, access control, sensors, analytics, networks, building systems, etc.) to empower personnel to identify and proactively resolve situations. PSIM integration enables numerous organizational benefits, including increased control, improved situation awareness and management reporting.

Ultimately, these solutions allow organizations to reduce costs through improved efficiency and to improve security through increased intelligence.

A complete PSIM software system has six key capabilities:

Collection: Device management independent software collects data from any number of disparate security devices or systems.
Analysis: The system analyzes and correlates the data, events, and alarms, to identify the real situations and their priority.
Verification: PSIM software presents the relevant situation information in a quick and easily digestible format for an operator to verify the situation.
Resolution: The system provides standard operating procedures (SOPs), step-by-step instructions based on best practices and an organization’s policies, and tools to resolve the situation.
Reporting: The PSIM software tracks all the information and steps for compliance reporting, training and potentially, in-depth investigative analysis.
Audit trail: The PSIM also monitors how each operator interacts with the system, tracks any manual changes to security systems and calculates reaction times for each event.

PSIM-based integration

A key differential between PSIM based integration and other forms of physical security system integration is the ability for a PSIM platform to connect systems at a data level, contrasting other forms of integration which interface a limited number of products. PSIM allows use of open technologies which are compatible with a large number of manufacturers. These PSIM products offer more opportunities for expansion and can reduce implementation costs through greater use of existing equipment.

PSIM solutions in general are deployed to centralize information to single or multiple control hubs. These are referred to as control rooms or command and control centres (CCC, C4I, etc.).

To be connected with other technologies, is an important feature of any basic PSIM as is the capability to integrate with Open Industry Standards such as (PSIA, ONVIF, ODBC, etc.)

Security systems typically integrated into a PSIM solution include:

Access control systems
Automated barriers and bollards
Building management systems like Heating, HVAC, lifts/elevators control, etc.
CCTV (closed circuit TV)
Computer Aided Dispatch systems
Electronic article surveillance (EAS)
Fire detection
GIS mapping systems
Intercom and IP phone
Intrusion detection system
Intrusion systems
Lighting control system
Perimeter intrusion detection systems
Power monitoring system
Radar-based detection and perimeter surveillance radar
Security alarm
Video content analysis
Video wall

Operator guidance

PSIM solutions manage all of the data produced by the various security applications (where the security application manufacturers API or SDK allows), aggregates them to produce meaningful intelligence and can be enhanced with modern information management technology.{{cn|date=July 2024}} This in turn is converted to create graphical situation management content; combining relevant visual intelligence, workflow based on on-screen guidance and automated tasks (also referred to as a Common Operating Interface). This is used for both event management and for day-to-day security operations. Some of the more advanced PSIM products offer dynamic guidance, which can be changed according to the perceived threat level. This threat level is governed by both external intelligence, such as DHS advice and internal intelligence, such as the number of attempted breaches. This level of dynamic guidance again relies on the level of integration achieved with any given manufacturers API or SDK.

Typical deployments

PSIM solutions can be found in a wide range of industry and government sectors across the globe. The following are industries where PSIM deployments can be found;

Corporate enterprise
Critical national infrastructure protection
Education
Energy, oil & gas
Healthcare
Homeland defense
Industrial & manufacturing
Law enforcement
Retail & distribution
Safe Cities
Travel & transportation

Examples of PSIM deployments:

Atlanta Police Foundation and the Atlanta Police Department: Operation Shield Video Integration Center{{cite web|last=Craighead|first=Geoffrey|title=Special Report: Government Security - Sharing Video with Police|url=http://www.securityinfowatch.com/article/10975270/law-enforcement-across-the-country-is-devising-formal-programs-to-ask-businesses-public-entities-and-residents-to-share-surveillance-footage|work=SecurityInfoWatch.com|publisher=Cygnus Business Media|accessdate=24 April 2014|date=2013-06-21}}{{cite web|title=Atlanta Operation Shield|url=http://www.atlantapolicefoundation.org/OperationShield-10|work=Atlanta Police Foundation|accessdate=24 April 2014|archive-date=15 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315024832/http://www.atlantapolicefoundation.org/OperationShield-10|url-status=dead}}
British Transport Police{{cite web|title=CCTV on track against terror|url=http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk//launch.aspx?eid=148b83a7-6226-467f-969a-78479214324b|work=Professional Security Magazine pg. 46|accessdate=24 April 2014}}
City of Baltimore: CitiWatch video surveillance program{{cite web|last=Jackson|first=William|title=Force multiplier: PSIM leverages video surveillance networks in Baltimore|url=http://gcn.com/articles/2013/08/23/baltimore-psim.aspx|work=GCN|publisher=1105 Public Sector Media Group|accessdate=24 April 2014}}
Ventura Police Department: Video Camera Community Partnership Program{{cite web|last=Craighead|first=Geoffrey|title=Special Report: Government Security - Sharing Video with Police|url=http://www.securityinfowatch.com/article/10975270/law-enforcement-across-the-country-is-devising-formal-programs-to-ask-businesses-public-entities-and-residents-to-share-surveillance-footage|work=SecurityInfoWatch.com|publisher=Cygnus Business Media|accessdate=24 April 2014|date=2013-06-21}}{{cite web|title=Video Camera Community Partnership Program|url=http://www.cityofventura.net/pd/video-camera-community-partnership-program|work=City of Ventura Police|publisher=City of Ventura|accessdate=24 April 2014}}
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA){{cite web|last=Rothman|first=Paul|title=STE Security Innovation Awards Silver Medal: Technology Makeover|url=http://www.securityinfowatch.com/article/10840036/ste-security-innovation-awards-silver-medal-technology-makeover|work=SecurityInfoWatch.com|publisher=Cygnus Business Media|accessdate=24 April 2014|date=2012-12-10}}

Industry bodies

Open Network Video Interface Forum (ONVIF): open industry forum for the development of a global standard for the interface of IP-based physical security products
Physical Security Interoperability Alliance (PSIA): a global consortium physical security manufacturers and systems integrators focused on promoting interoperability of IP-enabled security devices
Security Industry Association: trade association for electronic and physical security solution providers
OPC Foundation: interoperability standard for the secure and reliable exchange of data
SIP Forum: advance the adoption of products and services based on the Session Initiation Protocol
BACnet: data communication protocol for building automation and control networks

References

External links

EMEA market: Security evolves amid physical, cyber threats (asmag.com, Jul 2017)[https://www.asmag.com/showpost/23261.aspx]
[http://www.securityinfowatch.com/article/12258916/physical-and-it-security-collaboration-do-the-usual Physical and IT security collaboration: Do the usual(SecurityInfoWatch.com, Sep 2016)]
[http://www.securityinfowatch.com/article/12108796/managing-and-mitigating-business-risk-with-security-software-a-roundtable Managing and Mitigating Business Risk with Security Software (SecurityInfoWatch.com, Sep 2015)]
[http://www.asmag.com/showpost/18918.aspx MNCs global security policies drive convergence (asmag.com, Aug 2015)]
[https://www.asmag.com/showpost/18945.aspx PSIM: A critical element in any safe city program (asmag.com, Aug 2015)]
[http://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/ssn-news-poll-psim-definitions-matter?campaign=wizemail&dm_i=J98,3KWJO,4O9K6I,CYO1C,1 SSN News Poll: PSIM definitions matter (Security Systems News, Jul 2015)]
[http://www.ifsecglobal.com/choose-psim-solution-fit-needs/ How to Choose a PSIM Solution to Fit your Needs (IFSECGlobal.com, Feb 2015)]
[https://www.qognify.com/blog/why-psim-is-gaining-new-clout-across-the-world-3/ Why PSIM is gaining new clout across the world (Qognify, Jan 2015)]
[http://www.corporatetechdecisions.com/article/timing_is_everything_physical_security_information_management_psim Timing is Everything: Physical Security Information Management (PSIM) (Corporate TechDecisions, Nov 2014)]
[http://www.asmag.com/showpost/17811.aspx How security enhances metro emergency management (asmag.com, Oct 2014)]
[http://www.asmag.com/showpost/17844.aspx Understanding “Real” PSIM (asmag.com, Oct 2014)]
[http://www.risk-uk.com/issues/riskmay14.htm Crossing the Line - Security Across the Transport Sector (Risk UK, May 2014, Issue pages 20-21)]
[http://www.campussafetymagazine.com/article/The-Sum-of-All-Security Managing Security Technology: Should You Adopt a VMS or PSIM? (Campus Safety Magazine, Feb 2014)]
[http://www.securityinfowatch.com/article/10975270/law-enforcement-across-the-country-is-devising-formal-programs-to-ask-businesses-public-entities-and-residents-to-share-surveillance-footage Special Report: Government Security - Sharing Video with Police (SecurityInfoWatch.com, Jun 2013]
[http://www.securityinfowatch.com/The+Latest/1318016?pageNum=1 Clearing up the confusion over PSIM (SecurityInfoWatch.com, Oct 2010)]
[http://www.csoonline.com/article/622321/physical-security-information-management-psim-the-basics Physical security information management (PSIM): The basics (CSO Online, Oct 2010)]

Category:Physical security

Category:Security engineering

Category:Surveillance