Qognify, formerly NICE Security,has successfully integrated its leading PSIM and Situation Management solution, Situator, with Senstar’s fence-mounted fiber optic perimeter intrusion detection system, FiberPatrol-PR. The integration and joint solution was initiated on behalf of a major utility company in North America in order to enable them to maintain compliance with stringent NERC CIP regulations and improve security and safety.

 NERC CIP reliability standards were developed to ensure the physical security of critical assets that control or effect the reliability of bulk electric systems. Non-compliance can result in heavy fines — as high as $1 million per day, per violation. As per NERC, utility companies must respond to incidents within a certain time period upon an alert.

Fiber Patrol-PR is capable of identifying an intrusion point along a fence with high accuracy, providing up to 14.9 mi (24 km) of protection per processor. When an intrusion is detected, FiberPatrol-PR automatically creates alerts in Situator, which provides operators with situational awareness. Situator can then guide operators to the most effective and compliant response via pre-defined, automated and evolving incident management capabilities. Being able to identify a threat or a problem in real time and handle it effectively and efficiently is critical. Moreover, Situator provides detailed, accurate reporting that serves as proof of compliance for regulators.

Utility companies are faced with heightened security and safety threats, reduced budgets, and ever-increasing compliance pressures. “The Situator/FiberPatrol-PR solution effectively addresses these challenges with the ability to identify, notify and effectively respond in real time to ensure business continuity and compliance,” said Senstar’s product manager, Stewart Dewar. “This solution benefits from the inherent reliability of FiberPatrol-PR’s advanced fiber optic technology, with its cut-immune capability.”