You cannot draft a universal blueprint for campus safety and security. Each school has specifics, including building details that should be taken into account. Hence, school security is more about a well thought system of safety and security measures rather than installing random electronic devices.
Even the most basic electronic visitor management system should feature ID capabilities, connection to a searchable database, and automatic door access. You should add one-time ID card printing to complete the basic functionality of an access control system for spaces with huge visitor traffic such as colleges and universities.
Such a security system provides a certain level of security for both school students and teachers as well as for visitors. For instance, you can instantly get report on the number of visitors in the secured area in case of emergency. A more advanced system will provide also visitors' locations within the secure perimeter.
Here is how such a system works in practice:
- Visitor approaches the school's entry point
- Visitor approaches the school's entry point
- Camera takes photo of the visitor on entry
- The system records all required details of the visitor
- A visitor badge with photograph of the visitor is issued
- Access rights are assigned to the visitor (electronic card)
- The visitor detail are entered into the system and he/she enters the area
- The software records all visit details exit time for each visitor
The above list is not complete and a school/college security system may feature other and more advanced functionalities. For example, an organization may decide to track their visitors in real time, which, however, requires a lot of effort and marked investment in both software and security personnel.
On the other hand, despite all the human errors in regard to security at public places, the physical presence of security guards is still a major preemptive safety and security measure. By combining a reliable school safety and security system with trained security staff, you actually get the ultimate protection for a school.