While campuses are supposed to be havens of learning and development, unfortunately they are also prime locations for all kinds of security threats, including vandalism, theft and cyber-attacks. The safety of school staff and students should always be a top priority for educational institutions; in this blog we’ll highlight how to secure that safety despite the common threats to campus security.
Introduction to campus security challenges
Educational environments are often busy and bustling, with campuses spanning wide areas, unsecured perimeters, and a wide variety of students, staff and guests coming and going throughout the day. Crowds, expensive facilities, the abundant technology and valuables can all be targets for various kinds of campus security threats, including:
- Vandalism
- Theft
- Cyber attacks
- Unauthorised access
- Violence
- Terrorism
Considering the sheer amount of threats that could befall an educational environment on any given day, any approach to keeping them safe and secured needs to be multi-faceted.
Assessing security needs for educational institutions
Campus security will vary from location to location, as each educational institution’s needs are unique. Conducting a thorough assessment of a campus’ needs and an audit of any potential risks will help to identify the areas that need attention. These could range from something as simple as installing additional lighting in outdoor area, to employing designated security staff to monitor entrances and exits.
Implementing access control and surveillance systems
One of the main ways of being able to prevent threats before they occur is through surveillance. When it comes to school security, access control and surveillance systems go a long way in preventing unauthorised individuals from gaining access to campuses or dormitories.
Modern access control solutions include:
- Keycards
- Biometric scanners
- Turnstiles
- Manned entrances and exits
And when it comes to surveillance, comprehensive CCTV coverage in high-traffic and high-risk areas such as entrances and exits, car parks and hallways provides a deterrent to criminal activity. Not only that but, should an incident occur, and footage captured can also be a valuable tool for investigations.
The role of trained security personnel on campuses
At a time when many students are raising concerns about the professionalism and effectiveness of security staff on campuses, well-trained and confident security personnel can make a big difference to the atmosphere of an institution. Staff may need to be able to resolve situations between students, employees, and visitors as well as deterring or responding to any external threats. They might also have to coordinate with local authorities.
Because of the wide variety of situations they might encounter, many potentially involving young people, it’s important that any campus or college security personnel are trained to de-escalate and diffuse situations, if their presence is not enough to prevent an incident in the first place.
Emergency preparedness and response planning
In busy environments such as campuses, it’s important that any incidents are responded to swiftly and succinctly. One way to ensure this is to prepare response strategies. Whether it’s a fire, a severe weather event, or an intruder situation, campuses must be prepared to respond as soon as possible. It’s important that students and school staff are familiar with these protocols – regular drills and training sessions should be considered a key part of emergency preparedness.
Integrating technology with traditional security measures
There are lots of ways that modern technology can be used to help bolster traditional security measures. Something as simple as an app can give students an easier way of reporting incidents and sharing their location. On the other end of the tech spectrum, drone technology and facial recognition have the power to bolster campus surveillance and mitigate security risks.
Benefits of professional educational campus security services
Partnering with a professional security service will provide an institution with expert advice, cutting-edge technology and highly trained and vetted personnel. Professional contractors will:
- Meet security standards and regulations
- Customise their services to meet your needs
- Bring their expertise, technology and experience.
Keeping students safe
If you’re interested in security services for an educational institution, All Time Security can meet your needs and answer your questions. Contact us to find out more.
