There was a time not that long ago when school doors were always open, welcoming students, staff, parents, and delivery people. But given the sharp rise in school violence and active shooter incidents, free and easy access to K-12 school buildings is no longer an option. Schools today need to limit and control entry points, restrict unauthorized access, and fortify the safety of students, staff, and school assets.
But beware, even if your K-12 school does have an access control system in place, it may be in serious need of an upgrade. An outdated or inadequate physical access control system likely is not performing optimally. Many schools are still relying on legacy systems that use traditional locks and keys, both of which can be easily lost or duplicated. And even when an electronic access control system is in place, it may not be sufficiently monitored or able to integrate with other emergency response protocols.
Outlined below are some important ways an access control system can be strengthened to better protect students and staff.
Access schedules should be customized. Schools can tailor access based on time of day/night, location, and role. Staff, for instance, may have broader access during school hours, while visitors are limited to specific areas and times. The number of accessible entrances should be limited during school hours. Main entry doors should also be locked and monitored via an intercom and video surveillance system, and all other access points should be locked from the outside.
Secure credentialing practices should be put in place to prevent unauthorized entry. For example, using ID badges, keycards, or biometric systems gives schools the assurance that only authorized people such as students, staff, and approved visitors can access the premises. Using electronic credentials to grant access to buildings or certain areas enables administrators to track access logs and control permissions remotely.
Ideally, an access control system should be integrated with a robust visitor management system. These digital systems track and log all visitors, ensuring
transparency and an audit trail for accountability. And for optimum performance, the access system should be integrated with cameras and video alert systems to better assist first responders to quickly assess and respond to incidents.
In addition, modern access control systems should be closely monitored to ensure that instant alerts are sent if someone tries to enter restricted areas, enabling a swift response to unauthorized entries and potential threats.
Unfortunately, some tragic events at schools when active shooters have taken innocent lives may have been less deadly if emergency lockdown procedures were in place. In the event of a crisis, administrators should be empowered with a solution that can instantly initiate a lockdown with the simple push of a button, which can automatically secure doors and limit movement to keep everyone safe. And increasingly more K-12 schools are also installing classroom door locks; these internal locks can be secured quickly from the inside without a key and assist in a safe and secure lockdown.
NextGen is a trusted security integration partner, adept in equipping K-12 schools with a layered and comprehensive security strategy that keep our schoolchildren and school staffs safe. Call on us to learn more.