In-Place Monitoring System (IPMS)

In-place monitoring systems (IPMS) are designed to protect government and high-risk areas from wireless threats. In today’s cybersecurity landscape, they function best as part of a larger solution set that can detect more clandestine or low-energy devices often used for wireless espionage and data exfiltration.

What is an in-place monitoring system (IPMS)?

An in-place monitoring system (IPMS) is a security solution that continuously monitors and analyzes radio frequency (RF) activities within a designated area. IPMS is an important part of wireless airspace defense, helping detect unauthorized wireless devices and networks, malicious tools, and other wireless risks in government and commercial spaces. 

The limitations of traditional IPMS

IPMS is a complementary function to wireless intrusion detection, as it typically detects RF signals on a broader spectrum with more focus on the physical environment. However, most IPMS solutions are limited in their ability to monitor complex indoor spaces with physical barriers. They also have trouble pinpointing the exact location and nature of detected devices and networks. For this reason, standalone IPMS systems are not sufficient in securing highly regulated, critical environments.

THEY’RE LIMITED IN COVERAGE, ESPECIALLY INDOORS WITH MANY PHYSICAL BARRIERS

IPMS systems alone lack the advanced scanning and AI modeling capabilities that allow platforms like Bastille to overcome the physical barriers of indoor spaces. They are better at detecting potential threats than discovering a comprehensive list of questionable devices and wireless emitters or and continuously tracking their locations.

THEY HAVE TROUBLE WITH NOISE AND FALSE POSITIVES

In environments with a high density of wireless devices, like busy offices and event spaces, IPMS can struggle to distinguish between legitimate signals and potential threats. This results in false positives, where benign devices are flagged as unauthorized or suspicious, overwhelming security teams with alerts.

THEY DETECT PRESENCE, NOT CONTEXT LIKE INTENT OR BEHAVIOR OF A DEVICE

While IPMS can detect the presence of wireless signals, it may not always be able to determine the intent or behavior of the detected device. This makes it difficult to assess whether a detected signal is a genuine threat, such as a rogue access point, or a non-malicious device operating outside standard parameters.

IPMS solutions may also have difficulty differentiating between similar types of devices, especially in environments with a mix of authorized and unauthorized devices. This can complicate efforts to pinpoint specific threats.

THEY REQUIRE SPECIALIZED EMPLOYEES TO ANALYZE THEIR DATA

IPMS generates large volumes of data about wireless activities, and making sense of this data requires specialized knowledge. Organizations often need skilled, hard-to-hire staff to interpret IPMS alerts and assess the nature of potential threats, which can increase operational costs and cause threat visibility gaps.

What does a modern in-place monitoring system (IPMS) do?

Today, the best in-place monitoring systems (IPMS) are part of a broader wireless airspace defense platform. Bastille is the only platform that offers IPMS, wireless intrusion detection, and highly accurate wireless device and network location for a complete picture of what’s happening in your facilities.

MAP AND WORK AROUND COMPLEX INTERIOR SPACES

Bastille’s patented RF tomography and sensing technology breaks through the limits of standalone IPMS systems, accurately mapping rooms and facilities without needing a blueprint and locating wireless signals despite physical barriers.

UNDERSTAND THE EXACT LOCATION, NATURE, AND DETAILS OF EACH WIRELESS ASSET DETECTED

Bastille enriches basic wireless threat detection data with business context and location data that helps security prevention and response teams better protect their facilities. The platform also allows you to play back historical locations and other forensic data for a complete view into threats once an investigation is underway.

INTEGRATE SEAMLESSLY INTO YOUR GREATER CYBERSECURITY ECOSYSTEM

Effectively using IPMS alongside other security solutions—like WIDS, SIEM, or SOAR—is critical to protect against today’s wireless threats. However, this requires expertise in integrating these tools. Bastille removes this hurdle with API-forward architecture and a collection of partner apps and integrations.

FAQs About In-Place Monitoring Systems (IPMS)

What is an In-Place Monitoring System (IPMS)?

An IPMS is a security system that continuously monitors radio frequency (RF) activity in a specific area to detect unauthorized wireless devices, rogue access points, or malicious wireless behavior. It’s commonly used in government and high-security spaces as part of a larger wireless threat detection strategy.

What are the limitations of traditional IPMS systems?

Traditional IPMS tools often struggle with signal interference, false positives, and limited visibility in complex indoor environments with walls and barriers. They detect the presence of signals but lack the context or pinpoint accuracy to identify threats in real time. They also require skilled staff to interpret the data, which can slow response times.

What is an example of an In-Place Monitoring System (IPMS)?

Bastille is a leading example of a modern IPMS. It passively scans the full radio frequency spectrum within secure facilities to detect, locate, and analyze wireless devices, even low-energy or clandestine ones. Unlike traditional systems, Bastille combines RF sensing, device behavior analysis, and integration with broader security tools to deliver full situational awareness.

How is Bastille’s IPMS different from standard systems?

Bastille goes beyond basic RF detection by using patented RF tomography to accurately map indoor environments and track devices within 1–3 meters. It provides enriched data with context, real-time location, and historical playback to support investigation and response, making it far more actionable than traditional IPMS.

Can IPMS detect intent or behavior, or just presence?

Most IPMS systems only detect that a signal is present. Bastille’s platform adds behavioral context, helping distinguish between a harmless personal device and a potentially malicious rogue device. This reduces false positives and helps security teams focus on real threats

How do I integrate IPMS into an existing security stack?

With Bastille, integration is simple. The platform offers open APIs and native connections to tools like Splunk, SIEM, and SOAR systems, allowing IPMS data to work seamlessly alongside your broader cybersecurity infrastructure without requiring custom development.

How does Bastille compare to traditional IPMS in terms of cost and expertise required?

Traditional IPMS solutions may appear more affordable at first but often require dedicated analysts to interpret RF data, leading to higher operational costs over time. Bastille streamlines this by providing enriched, actionable data with built-in context and intuitive visualizations. It’s designed to be used by existing security teams without the need for deep RF expertise, making it a more efficient and scalable solution for complex environments.

What types of environments benefit most from using IPMS?

IPMS is especially useful in secure facilities like government buildings, defense spaces, and critical infrastructure environments. These areas require constant wireless monitoring to detect unauthorized devices, minimize the risk of data exfiltration, and confirm compliance with strict wireless security standards policies.

Why is IPMS more effective when used with other security tools?

IPMS works best when integrated with systems like WIDS, SIEM, or SOAR. While IPMS can detect RF activity, combining it with other tools provides more context, automation, and threat response capabilities. Bastille supports this function with API integrations and a platform designed for seamless ecosystem compatibility. Additionally, Bastille provides location capabilities without the need for manual sweeps.