The key to better school security: technology that supports policies, remains scalable and leverages emergency communication systems

Each year an average of $3 billion is spent to improve security measures in schools in the United States. As a result, school districts have implemented a variety of technologies, from surveillance cameras building wide, access control systems to manage the flow of staff and visitors, and  gunshot detection technology – all in an effort to protect students and staff while also keeping individuals that might have bad intentions out.

However, designing a security solution for a K through 12 environment is vastly different from designing a system for a commercial office space, healthcare facility or retail environment. Here are three things to keep in mind  for security in K through 12 educational settings.

Install technology that support policy and procedures
The blueprint for a school security system needs to first start with security policies and procedures. For example, how are visitors in a school treated? Do they need to check in with the front office and so they can be given a temporary access control credential? How are emergencies handled building wide? Does an announcement need to be made on an intercom system or does the building need to go into lockdown mode to protect everyone within the building?

Understanding this information enables the security systems integrator to work closely with the school security director and school administration to select technologies that directly support the security plan. The biggest mistake many people make is specifying technology without fully understanding how it is going to be used.

Is the system scalable?
In a perfect world, a school district would be able to deploy a full-scale security project without having to take cost into consideration. However, budget restrictions often determine which security technologies can be implemented today and what improvements can be made the next year and the year after that.

This is why it’s important to implement solutions that can easily be scaled and integrated with other technologies in the future as needs evolve, whether there’s a building expansion or an increase in funding for additional technologies. The last thing a school district wants to find out is that the access control system that has been installed is limited on the number of doors it can manage or that a video management system has maxed out on the number of cameras it can support.

Emergency notification systems remain a priority
One critically important tool for K through 12 schools is an emergency notification system or voice evacuation system. However, when implementing an emergency notification or voice evacuation system the foundation for these types of systems should be based on standards, such as NFPA 3000 Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS). Both of these standards provide design and policy guidance relating to emergency notification systems.

Taking this approach ensures that these systems maintain a level of integrity and functionality in the event of an emergency. Once the foundation for an emergency notification system is in place, additional solutions can be added on top, such direct email communication capabilities.

Protecting students and staff in school settings continues to be an ongoing challenge, especially as school administrators balance keeping school environments welcoming yet safe. By remembering to review policy and procedures, planning for future scalability and using standards as the foundation for an emergency notification system, schools can help make sure the systems being installed support the overall security plan.