Issue link: https://securitytechnologyexecutive.epubxp.com/i/656764
20 SECURITY TECHNOLOGY EXECUTIVE • February/March 2016 www.SecurityInfoWatch.com responders to an emergency. Yet, few initial responders are trained properly so that they know how to react during a lockdown scenario. Training aspects may include: — Lockdown drills conducted annually — School maps distributed to responders — Inventories of classroom emergency equipment "Technology is only part of the solution," said Bradley. " T he best districts balance architectural, policy and technolog y deci- sions for a comprehensive solution." Gauvin added that schools should be required to do lockdown drills, at least, two times per year. Prioritize classroom lockdown capabilities While there are many more advanced tech- nologies that can help schools respond to intruders, one of the proven, cost-effective solutions are classroom lockdown capabili- ties. " You need to harden the actual class- rooms," said Mitchell K ane, president of Vanderbilt Industries. "The whole migration of security evolved to not only locking down the perimeter but actually locking down all the rooms. It's a real challenge to balance the safety of students with the security needed to protect them without taking on the pro- file of a prison." Should an active shooter or intruder enter the building, teachers should have the ability to lock the door from the inside of the class- room, preventing individuals from going into hallways or open spaces and putting themselves in harm's way. Installing locks with a classroom security function will allow an individual to immediately lock a door from the inside with a key, eliminating expo- sure outside the classroom. COVER STORY: CAMPUS SECURITY "What I took from Sandy Hook was that the administrator was extremely on the ball and keyed the intercom's all-call microphone, which broadcasted what was happening in the office." – Ernie Gauvin, Special Systems Technician About the Author: Minu Youngkin is the Integrator Marketing Manager for Allegion. Experts recommend three proven lockdown technologies: • Manual lockdown. This method uses keys and classroom security functions to lock down space. While this is an economical option, it relies on an individual having the right key at the right place. • Remote lockdown. Enabling classroom lockdown by remote fob within proximity of a door, remote lockdown can be a cost-effec- tive alternative to a networked system. • Centralized lockdown. This networked system, when integrated with access control software, can enable immediate school or campus-wide lockdown. With the click of a button, all doors can instantly lock to avoid anyone from exiting the building, and pro- vides a real-time solution when an unwel- come visitor enters the school. " I m p l e m e n t i n g a l o c kd o w n o n a l l t h e interior doors, where in the past it would have been a monumental or a Herculean effort, now becomes a fairly straightfor ward and easy to rollout effort based on the software integration that we have with these devices," Kane said. G a u v i n re c o m m e n d s a d d i n g a s e c o n d layer of security to access control systems by requiring PINs along with badges for all after hours access (after 7 p.m., before 6 a.m., weekends and holidays) to ensure security if access cards are lost or stolen. For the sake of convenience, access should be granted by the card only during normal school hours. Integrators can serve a key role in addressing common security concerns for schools Sandy Hook was neither the first nor the last active shooter scenario in a school, but it is often referenced as a turning point in secu- rity technology and protocols. With incidents like these, schools recognize more than ever the impor tance of implementing security best practices and technologies that can keep teachers and students safe. As more schools nationwide are prioritizing school safety in their planning and budgeting each year, this provides integrators with the opportunity to serve a critical role as a comprehensive secu- rity and safety resource that can help support creating safer learning environments. ■