What Does K-12 Security Look Like?

For parents and educators, few things are more important than school security. New York K-12 schools looking to improve their security measures can begin by taking these steps.

Identify the Vulnerable Areas

First, risks and threats to a school’s security can be defined by taking into consideration the basics: the location of the school and the layout of the campus, for example. Factors like school occupancy can also help identify where the greatest risks are. What parts of the campus have the greatest (or least) population density? Cafeterias, gyms, assembly halls and outdoor commons are all high population areas that could be soft targets. Meanwhile, remote areas of the campus could be susceptible to becoming entry points or hideout spots for perpetrators. These most vulnerable areas should be addressed first.

Harden the Soft Targets

Once the potential soft target areas have been identified, it’s time to harden those targets with the right security. New York schools can best secure these areas using an integration of video surveillance with a new or existing alarm system. With high-definition cameras capturing activity across a campus in real time, administrators will have access to video footage of everything happening on the grounds. If something suspicious is detected on camera, an administrator can send an alert of set off a school-wide alarm. Video surveillance footage can even be monitored remotely so that schools do not have to expend human resources on managing security video.

Make Forced Entry More Difficult

Implementing a quality alarm and camera system is imperative for school officials, but it’s just a part of the puzzle. Schools can be even safer when security measures go above and beyond the basics. These measures include installing wireless lock-sets that have the ability to automatically lock down doors during an emergency. And with an effective visitor management system, teachers and approved school staff can be issued credentials such as cards or key fobs so that doors have limited access. Schools can even make use of a security vestibule at the main entrance to help delay a perpetrator or intruder.

It’s important to note that proper access control and visitor management shouldn’t be limited to the front entrance of the school. These systems should be implemented all the way down to the classroom level so that students and teachers can secure themselves inside classrooms during incidents. In addition, windows can be further secured with ballistic glass and glass break detectors.

Communication

With all of the scary events that take place in today’s world, it’s critical to have mass communication as a part of school security. New York schools should for an emergency technology that acts as a communication platform for administrators and teachers while accounting for students. One powerful tool that can do this and more is Ruvna, a crisis management solution that eliminates antiquated clipboards and walkie-talkies so that all students can be accounted for without anyone opening a single door during an emergency.

About POM Technologies