From 2019 to 2020, schools reported over 1.4 million criminal occurrences on-site. If you’re a cybersecurity professional, you must explore the potential of security integrations for improving your school’s physical security strategy.
What benefit does integration have for a physical security strategy?
Keep reading as we explain how cybersecurity professionals are leveraging integrated security for schools and the opportunities presented for physical security.
Table of Contents
Integrating Cloud-Based Video And Access Control Solutions
Cloud-based access control and video security are the most efficient security solutions for schools, and security professionals benefit from the ability to integrate these two technologies for more cohesive overall security.
Why Cloud-Based Video And Access Control?
Cloud-based access control and school cameras are just two examples of the benefits of cloud-based security. Cloud-based camera systems and technologies are considered a preferable solution to traditional on-premise security for the following reasons:
- It facilitates remote security operations.
- It provides open API integrations.
- It does not require complex wiring systems, making it a more scalable solution.
- You can access real-time security data from anywhere.
If you want to create an integrated security system and eliminate data silos, then a cloud-based security system is the right choice for your school. Security professionals everywhere benefit from the increased convenience and scalability a cloud-based security system offers.
Integrating Video Security And Access Control
When implementing cloud-based technologies, it’s essential to understand how integrating security tools together can improve the functioning of your school security system as a whole.
With any access control system, on-premise or cloud-based, there is one critical vulnerability – the potential for someone to use stolen credentials to enter the school and contravene safeguarding without triggering an alert.
You can mitigate this risk by integrating video security and access control for identity verification. Integrating both tools allows access logs and video surveillance feed to be available on a single interface for easier retrieval.
Your team won’t need to correlate timestamps from different platforms to analyze the data – it’s all available in one unified platform. They can quickly check that a person’s identity matches the access credentials they are using to enforce safeguarding laws on school property.
School security professionals can use open API integrations in a cloud-based system to automate identity verification by applying facial recognition software. This way, the identity of every user will be confirmed automatically before they enter the building.
Mobile Security Management
One of the most significant benefits of implementing cloud-based security technologies is remote security management and mobile-first security.
Concerning access control, mobile-first security allows system administrators and security staff to remotely operate school door locks using their mobile devices, allowing visitors, interviewees, and contractors like cover staff to enter the building.
Additionally, mobile-first access control can help eliminate the use of keycards and fobs, saving the school costs associated with keycards and fob replacement.
Instead of using keycards or fobs, students and staff can enter the building using mobile access credentials – digital keycards that they can download to their mobile devices.
With this technology, onboarding new staff members and students become easier and removing devices from the system remotely reduces your exposure to intrusion from ex-employees and ex-students.
Software Integrations For Physical Security Tools
Opting for a cloud-based security system allows cybersecurity professionals to implement software integrations and increase ROI on their security investments by expanding the school’s security tools function.
Here are some of the most popular software integrations for physical security tools in a school environment:
- Visitor management software – for schools, logging visitors isn’t just a security issue; it’s a safeguarding issue. Automating the visitor management process can ensure more accuracy for failsafe security. Visitor management software integrates with building access control, providing visitor logs based on access control events.
- The user simply needs to provide their information in a digital form on their mobile device to gain access to the building using mobile credentials. The system will sign them out once they leave the school.
- Wellness verification software – to prevent a coronavirus outbreak in schools, security professionals are implementing screening using wellness verification software. Before users enter the building, they must complete a quick survey on their mobile devices regarding their symptoms. If symptomatic, the school can make recommendations per their coronavirus policy.
- Building management systems – to create more energy efficiency, schools can integrate building management systems with access control, ensuring all devices, HVAC systems, and heating are switched off when a room is unoccupied.
Protecting High-Risk Areas
In addition to securing the building from intruders, schools are using access control solutions like smart door locks to protect high-risk areas and prevent on-site injuries. Schools house dangerous woodworking equipment, gym equipment, and machinery that could risk student safety.
Schools can grant role-based access permissions to safeguard these high-risk areas to ensure that only staff members with clearance can enter these areas.
Summary
Considering upgrading your school’s security, you need to consider the benefits of cloud-based security solutions.
Not only does cloud-based security increase daily convenience for security team members, but it can also help the school to maximize ROI on its security investments. Consider which of these technologies would most benefit your school security strategy.
