PSIM and Incident Management: why they must be complementary

In large corporate and industrial environments, the goal of maximizing the effectiveness and speed of response to events and incidents that threaten physical security can be achieved by implementing a software solution that combines PSIM (Physical Security Information Management) capabilities with Incident Management (IM) functionalities. By adopting this integrated approach, organizations can optimize asset protection, ensure personnel safety, and maintain operational continuity.

Why PSIM and Incident Management are often not integrated

There are several reasons why many organizations have PSIM software that is not integrated with incident management functionalities. In many cases, PSIM software was initially developed with a strong focus on collecting, integrating, and displaying real-time physical security data, without prioritizing event management functionalities during its design phase. For this reason, most organizations in Italy, including those operating in complex and critical environments, either do not have an incident management system, or if they do, it was developed as a separate solution from the PSIM that manages field operations. Often, these are solutions provided by different vendors, creating challenges in terms of integration and usability.

Regarding target users, PSIM software is primarily used by control room operators to manage the daily operations of systems, including and especially during non-emergency situations, while simplifying field technological complexity. In contrast, incident management systems within the control room are focused on alarm handling, providing operational support specifically during emergencies. Due to mindset and organizational culture, some PSIM operators may not perceive the need for integrated incident management functionalities. Additionally, these two types of software often use different data models and workflows, complicating integration initiatives.

Limitations and consequences of lacking integrated functionalities

When PSIM and incident management functionalities are not integrated and do not operate in synergy, the response to physical security events becomes less effective, as responsible personnel have access only to partial data rather than complete, real-time information on ongoing incidents. As a result, without a unified event management approach, responses are reactive, disorganized, and delayed. The lack of event tracking data prevents real-time monitoring of incident progression, actions taken, and resources utilized. Communication between security teams, the control room, and operational departments becomes inefficient, leading to incomplete information and hindering timely response efforts.

Without comprehensive data and detailed information from both the PSIM software and the incident management system, it becomes more challenging to identify event types and the root causes of security incidents, making it difficult to implement effective preventive measures. This prevents organizations from shifting from a reactive to a proactive and strategic approach to security incident management and prevention.

Without a system that integrates PSIM and incident management functionalities, organizations face various risks: delays in identifying event types and potential incidents, ineffective and reactive responses, increased risks to the physical safety of assets and personnel, and rising financial losses. There is also an increased risk of non-compliance with security system standards and response procedures, while operational inefficiencies lead to wasted time and resources.

Implementing integrated PSIM and Incident Management functionalities

Adopting a solution that integrates PSIM and incident management functionalities is the optimal and recommended strategy to prevent critical gaps in overall physical security management, maximize prevention capabilities, and enhance the speed and effectiveness of incident response.

PSIM functionalities enable organizations to achieve advanced situational awareness by centralizing data from various physical security systems. A PSIM provides reporting and analytics capabilities and correlates real-time events while triggering automated responses based on predefined rules. Incident management software, on the other hand, complements PSIM by providing ticketing tools, structured incident workflow management, unified communication applications, knowledge management capabilities, and data analysis tools. Incident management functionalities help classify, locate, track, and document events and incidents while standardizing response procedures.

As noted, PSIM and incident management functionalities are often developed as separate entities, and in many cases, both are not even present in control rooms. However, over time, organizations’ growing need to manage physical security through a more holistic and unified approach has led to the realization of the importance of integrating these two domains, resulting in the convergence of both functionalities in modern solutions currently available on the market.

By adopting this comprehensive approach to physical security protection and incident and event management, organizations can leverage the benefits of both functionalities within their respective areas of action. Most importantly, within this framework, the key benefit, critically relevant for effective physical security protection and incident management, is prevention. Having a solution capable of collecting, managing, and analyzing all relevant data and information in a unified manner helps prevent events from occurring and ensures that incidents do not happen in the first place.