School Security Systems: Automatic Lockdown Procedures

There is nothing more important than the safety of our children. Ensuring effective school lockdown procedures during emergencies is crucial for maintaining safety. Although threats from individuals are typically what most people think about when discussing school safety, that’s just one aspect. School security systems cover scenarios from natural disasters to medical emergencies and chemical leaks. According to a recent Pew Research study, 59 percent of K-12 teachers are at least somewhat worried about the possibility of a shooting ever happening at their school, and this includes 18 percent who are very worried. The ultimate goal is to cover all possibilities to ensure everyone’s safety.

A thoughtfully built school security system allows parents to send their kids to school with the utmost peace of mind that their loved ones will be safe.

Understanding School Security Systems

What are School Security Systems?

A comprehensive security system for schools and campuses includes alarm systems, access control, door locks, loudspeakers, and video security. What's most important about the different pieces of the security system is how they're integrated together. It’s one thing to have all the technology installed, but it’s entirely another to enact a thorough lockdown procedure where all areas act as one. That’s where ElectroMedia's expertise comes in. We’re experts in designing and deploying security systems for educational institutions.

Educational facilities must have a strong safety foundation to promote the most encouraging learning environment. The exponential growth in technology has welcomed more innovation and lower costs for school security systems. These advances have allowed more effective systems to be designed and installed to protect students, staff, and faculty from potential threats and safety concerns. A report from The Center for American Progress found that an estimated 9.4 percent of children under the age of 5 have experienced two or more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in their lives. Exposure to multiple ACEs at once, especially over an extended period, places children at a particularly high risk of later health problems and poorer academic and economic outcomes down the road. In the end, a secure campus is essential for a safe and healthy learning environment.

Related content: Top 5 Security Technologies Every K-12 School Needs

Access Control Systems

Access Control System Benefits and Types

Access control systems are keyless entry systems—doors, gates, garages—that secure outdoor and indoor environments. These systems can be configured on timers or with a keypad, key fob, or access token. Advanced access control systems create groupings and user access zones that ensure unauthorized individuals can’t roam free.

Access control systems provide a secure and efficient solution for schools to control who can access the school anytime. These systems can be integrated with existing access control and surveillance camera systems, which are brought together by security management platforms. Access control is a piece of technology your school absolutely needs to round out your automatic lockdown procedures.

Related content: Keep Students Safer with Access Control Systems for School

Security Cameras and Surveillance

Types of Security Cameras

Security cameras are essential to school safety. They provide live and recorded video to the control room via video management software, giving operators enhanced situational awareness. Advanced alerts allow unauthorized access to be identified quickly and push updates to the individuals who need to know.

Different areas on campus have their own specific needs. That's why ElectroMedia can help you decide on the correct equipment needed for certain areas:

• Bullet and dome security cameras

• Panoramic security cameras

• PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) security cameras

• Keypad locks with camera

A hallway may need static coverage with a dome security camera, but the cafeteria requires more flexibility like that offered by a PTZ security camera.

When working with your security system professional, they’ll help you get the best hardware for the areas that need it.

Integrated Security Systems

Benefits of Integrated Security Systems

Disjointed systems are never efficient, and in an emergency event, every second counts. When you connect the various components of a school security solution, you create a stronger, more unified system. At ElectroMedia, we offer seamless integration between locks, access control, cameras, audio components, and alarms for the highest level of protection and efficiency. Even if you have already installed some components, you must fill out the system and integrate it. We have the expertise to work with you and design a system that fits your needs.

Lockdown and Emergency Response Systems

The best systems in the world are only as good as the policies and procedures accompanying them. A quick and efficient lockdown event process during emergencies is crucial for enhancing the safety of facilities. The quality of those policies and procedures are equivalent to the training and documentation that goes into them. Modern school lockdown systems, with features such as one-click activation and real-time communication tools, are designed to ensure swift and effective responses. Lockdown and emergency response systems aren’t a puzzle you’re trying to crack but a tried-and-true system that’s consistently tested, and changes are made when needed. Your system isn’t meant to be static but an ever-changing living piece of technology and human intervention whose only goal is to keep people safe.

Related content: Guide for Developing High-Quality School Emergency Operations Plans

Lockdown and Emergency Response Solutions

All-encompassing school lockdown alert systems are designed to provide a secure and efficient solution for emergency situations. When designing and implementing them, you can dictate the exact lockdown procedure needed for any situation.

For instance, for an unauthorized person on campus, you could trigger all the doors to lock but still be functional with a proper key card. The lockdown can be activated through the office or principal’s office from a wall panel or web portal. The technical options available to you can fit the requirements of your school, district, or state lockdown rules without much customization.

Security Management Platforms

Security Management Platform Benefits

Implementing a security management platform centralizes the maintenance, operational state, and scaling of the school alarm system, access control, and video security. The centralized management will reduce workload, improve productivity, and ensure school and campus security systems are optimized and operational.

By consolidating platforms, school security teams, administration officials, and SROs (school resource officers), you can stay connected and on top of any scenario, including regular school days. Security management platforms provide a secure and efficient solution for schools.

Creating a Safer Learning Environment

A safe and healthy learning environment is vital for students, parents, staff, and faculty. School security systems are designed to provide a secure and efficient solution for schools to prepare them for anything. By implementing school security systems, educational institutes create a safer learning environment and allow kids to be kids.

Skyrocket School Safety with a Lockdown System from ElectroMedia

When you boil all the information down, it's not about getting the latest and greatest technology to spend the budgetary funds; it's about providing the best possible system to keep the most people safe. ElectroMedia has dedicated itself to working with schools and government entities to provide systems that fit the needs of all those relying on them. Contact us today! We're the partner you can trust to outfit your school with the systems to keep you safe.