School security, and indeed public building security in general, has been on the agenda over recent years due to the ongoing problems many states have experienced with School Shootings. These cause, naturally, high amounts of stress. As a result, many schools and public buildings have looked to technology to provide better and more consistent security to protect staff and students. Here, we look at what kinds of technology have interfaced with security so schools can take their student and staff protection policies up to the next level. You may have heard of some of the simpler methods, but others might surprise you.
Surveillance Cameras At Schools: Is AI The Future?
Video surveillance cameras can be installed throughout a school to help monitor activity and deter criminal activity. In the event of an incident, footage from the cameras can be used to aid in investigations and identify suspects. The problem with surveillance cameras is that they don't necessarily stop certain crimes. It takes time for a response to be actioned after the crime has been committed. That's why gunshot detection systems, along with AI gun detection methodologies, have been employed to help stop school mass shootings across the country. This technology, whilst fused with existing security systems, can make a huge difference to schools and help them in their journey to better protect students from school mass shootings and other harmful security concerns.
Access control systems
This can help to prevent unauthorized access and make it easier to identify and locate potential intruders. Electronic access control systems can be used to limit access to certain areas of a school to authorized personnel. Think about security gates and passes that only allow members of the school and faculty access. The issue here is whether the person about to commit the crime is from the school itself, which is where the problem with access control really comes out. However, access control shouldn't be overlooked because it does keep people who shouldn't be in the school outside of it. They improve security if done properly, but they won't cure the school of potential incidents caused by members of the student body.
Emergency notification systems
Emergency notification systems can be used to quickly alert students, faculty, and staff of potential dangers and provide them with instructions on how to respond. These systems can include speakers, text messages, and email alerts. When they're tied into AI systems, they can be even better. Imagine a camera spots a weapon where there shouldn't be one. People are notified right away, and they quickly secure themselves. That's why AI is so helpful. These emergency notifications can be sent right to personal smartphones. The trick is being able to send them at the right time. Again, the problem comes with knowing when to send the alerts as they need to be sent as soon as possible to properly deal with any threats.
Anonymous tip reporting systems
Anonymous tip reporting systems allow students, faculty, and staff to report suspicious or concerning behavior without fear of retaliation. These systems can be accessed through a website or mobile app, and can be used to report everything from bullying to potential threats of violence. Some schools use them, others don't. But, the trick is in being able to alert the right people to potential problems. Security has always been about quickly responding to active threats. Yet, in this case, it's more about stopping the issue before it even happens which is always going to be far more useful.
AI-based Video analytics
We've touched on AI based systems before but here we can see that there are even more AI based analytic capabilities that can help schools be more secure. AI-based video analytics can be integrated with CCTV camera to provide the school security staff with real-time alerts, face recognition and other advanced features like loitering detection.
These are just a few examples of how technology can be used to enhance school security. It is important to note that no technology is foolproof, and multiple layers of security are necessary for a comprehensive security plan. Also, some schools have more of a need than others due to location, population, past problems, etc. The literal building makeup of a school is also taken into account. It depends on how many entrances and exits a school has. Take access control, for example. It's hard to formulate a good access control plan when there are so many to take into account. Either way, school security has taken some pretty impressive leaps over the last few years, with plenty more left to come and thus forging a far more relaxed and safe environment.
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