Cisco Cisco IPICS Release 1.0 Information Guide
Cisco IP Interoperability and Collaboration System (IPICS)
Case Study
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Cisco IPICS Enhances Safety and Security at Cisco
Next-generation secure communications and interoperability platform simplifies
communications, facilitates handling of emergencies, and saves money.
communications, facilitates handling of emergencies, and saves money.
Cisco IT Case Study / IP Communications / Cisco IP Interoperability and Collaboration System:
This case
study describes Cisco IT’s internal deployment of IPICS within the Cisco network to integrate enterprise
communications with radio networks. Cisco customers can draw on Cisco IT's real-world experience in this area to
help support similar enterprise needs.
communications with radio networks. Cisco customers can draw on Cisco IT's real-world experience in this area to
help support similar enterprise needs.
Background
“One of the most obvious benefits of
IPICS is that we can communicate
with our security officers and public
safety agencies regardless of
geography. We can cut the cord and
rely on the network.”
– Lawrence Ingraham, Cisco Safety and Security
Program Manager
Program Manager
The population of the Cisco campus in San Jose, California
can reach 20,000 people during business hours. Like a
similarly-sized city, emergencies can occur. When they do,
Cisco Safety and Security (SAS) and the volunteer Cisco
Emergency Response Team (ERT) are the first responders to
on-campus fire, hazardous materials, and medical incidents.
They provide support in the critical minutes before outside help
arrives. These two groups work closely with the Cisco Security
Facilities Operations Center (SFOC) in San Jose, one of three
other SFOCs located in Raleigh, North Carolina; Bedfont
Lakes, U.K.; and Sydney, Australia.
can reach 20,000 people during business hours. Like a
similarly-sized city, emergencies can occur. When they do,
Cisco Safety and Security (SAS) and the volunteer Cisco
Emergency Response Team (ERT) are the first responders to
on-campus fire, hazardous materials, and medical incidents.
They provide support in the critical minutes before outside help
arrives. These two groups work closely with the Cisco Security
Facilities Operations Center (SFOC) in San Jose, one of three
other SFOCs located in Raleigh, North Carolina; Bedfont
Lakes, U.K.; and Sydney, Australia.
Challenge
Cisco’s enterprise risk-management strategy assumes that emergencies require an immediate response from within
the company as well as external emergency responders.
the company as well as external emergency responders.
Cisco SAS is primarily responsible for managing emergencies that occur on company property. That responsibility
begins when a Cisco employee or visitor dials 9-1-1 from any Cisco IP phone on campus. The call is routed to the
nearest Cisco SFOC, which dispatches Cisco security officers and the Cisco ERT. If the incident requires a local
public safety agency, the SFOC patches the call to the appropriate Public Safety Access Point (PSAP).
begins when a Cisco employee or visitor dials 9-1-1 from any Cisco IP phone on campus. The call is routed to the
nearest Cisco SFOC, which dispatches Cisco security officers and the Cisco ERT. If the incident requires a local
public safety agency, the SFOC patches the call to the appropriate Public Safety Access Point (PSAP).
Figure 1.
All emergency calls at Cisco are dispatched through the
IPICS PMC
Present on all corporate campuses and office locations with more than 125
employees, the Cisco ERT consists of employee volunteers who handle medical,
fire, and other emergencies before public agencies arrive. Cisco ERT members and
Cisco SAS security officers are trained to first-responder level. A few ERT m
are also certified as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). The Cisco ERT in
San Jose responds to 150 incidents per year, of which nearly 40 are consider
threatening.
employees, the Cisco ERT consists of employee volunteers who handle medical,
fire, and other emergencies before public agencies arrive. Cisco ERT members and
Cisco SAS security officers are trained to first-responder level. A few ERT m
are also certified as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). The Cisco ERT in
San Jose responds to 150 incidents per year, of which nearly 40 are consider
threatening.
embers
ed life
Clearly, the need for interoperability encompasses not only procedures and
equipment but also communication systems. Cisco incidents are managed by the
Incident Command System (ICS), a standard methodology used by public safety
equipment but also communication systems. Cisco incidents are managed by the
Incident Command System (ICS), a standard methodology used by public safety
agencies nationwide. To help ensure a smooth transition of care from Cisco to external responders, Cisco SAS and