In this featured piece by Security Magazine, Terry Swanson, president and CEO of Singlewire Software, outlines what organizations should look for when selecting a mobile incident management solution. He explains that a mobile app expands access beyond desktop-tied tools, letting people report incidents and request help from anywhere without losing critical time. Swanson emphasizes that flexibility matters most, from preloaded custom messages for different emergencies to the ability to segment alerts to specific teams or areas and deliver them as SMS text, push notifications, email, or audio. He also covers the value of integrating mobile alerts with on-premises devices like speakers and digital signage, along with real-time incident management features, panic button capabilities for individualized protection, and “All Clear” messaging to help organizations resume normal operations.
Key Takeaways
- Terry Swanson, president and CEO of Singlewire Software, writes that mobile incident management apps let people report and respond to emergencies from anywhere, saving critical time compared with desktop-tied solutions.
- A strong mobile security solution should support preloaded custom messages for different crisis types and let organizations segment alerts to specific teams or areas.
- True flexibility comes when a mobile solution also integrates with on-premises devices like speakers, digital signage, and desktop computers to deliver consistent alerts throughout a facility.
- Mobile panic button capabilities can be especially valuable for large organizations with sizable properties, letting security teams receive an alert with the individual’s name and location to send immediate help.
- A mobile solution should support real-time incident management, including viewing responses to understand who needs assistance, and sending an “All Clear” message once an event has ended.
Original Story
A security threat can happen anywhere and at any time. That means flexible security solutions are a must when trying to keep people and operations safe. However, many organizations limit their ability to respond to a threat by selecting solutions that keep security personnel tied to a desk or restrict access, which narrows a tool’s usefulness. Mobile security solutions offer the ability to manage situations from anywhere, but in a crowded marketplace, it can be difficult to understand what to look for to address an organization’s needs.
A mobile solution requires an app team members can access from their mobile devices. This is the first step in expanding access broadening an organization’s ability to respond to incidents from anywhere. With a mobile app, people do not need to get to their desktops to start reporting the incident to others, which can save crucial seconds or in some cases minutes in getting the word out and sending help to those in need. When an emergency occurs, every moment counts, so the quicker organizations can respond the better chance they have of mitigating the impact of an event.