Anybody who has large scale security in a building should have a Physical Security Information Management system. This is known as PSIM. By using PSIM, all security applications and devices within an organization are brought together. Some examples of security systems include video networks, access controls, gates and sensors. It is by using such a system that security personnel is able to respond to any potential security threats in a very quick manner. It is through these systems that security personnel are able to raise awareness, control and report on security threats. The systems are able to offer five main capabilities. Its first capability is to collect data from all the separate systems that are in place. Then, there is analysis, where it correlates data and events or alarms to prioritize situations. Then, there is verification, which allows the system to present solutions. The next and perhaps most important part is resolution, which offers practical solutions based on existing policies, protocols, best practice and tools that are available. Last but not least, the system can report and offer suggestions for improvement.

How do you put this system into practice? Perhaps your organization uses CCTV, turnstiles and an infrared security beam. Thanks to the system, the three systems can be monitored at the same time. Take, for instance, a report of someone who appears suspicious being in the building. The CCTV system will show you they are moving downstairs. Next, your turnstile systems pick up that someone has gone through. Once outside, they are picked up by the infrared security beams. You may think your system is fully secure, but it is actually highly impractical. This is because it would mean that your security operative has to have impeccable timing, switching from CCTV to turnstile to infrared beams. And, they also need to keep their attention on the rest of security. By using a Physical Security Information Management system, this is no longer difficult.

Once your building closes for the night, other security systems start to work. There are many businesses, for example, who use intrusion detection. Without such a system, you will need staff to look over all the recordings taken overnight. When looking at it that way, the system can actually help you save money. After all, you will have the potential to hire fewer members of staff in your security team, and they will be able to better spend their time actually responding to issues. Clearly, every organization that uses multiple security systems should have a Physical Security Information Management system.