Evolution of Security in Education
Summer 2023 is coming to its end. With the new school year on the horizon, academic institutions are preparing themselves to safely welcome returning and new students while parents and students are thinking about safety at the individual level. What are the key areas in back to school safety?
Institutional Level
According to a recent study from market research firm KS&R, almost two thirds of education decision makers listed physical and network security as their top priorities moving into 2024. Academic administrators are attuned to the growing concern of ensuring safe learning environments and are focusing on implementing upgrades to their security operating procedures.
Over the course of 2023, we’ve seen several academic institutions adopt new methodology to encourage a “safety first” learning environment. Take the Appoquinimink School District in Delaware, serving more than 12,000 students in grades Pre-K-12.
The district has begun to pair AI-based gun detection platforms with their existing digital security cameras. If a gun is detected, the software immediately sends images to an operation center staffed by experts who will verify the threat and enact alert protocols. Alerts communicate gun type and last known location of the weapon to local staff and first responders.
On college campuses, lacking security technology has been an area of concern in physical security plans. Michigan State University upgraded their security practices to include a campus-wide access control and AI-powered digital surveillance systems. The University of Arizona equipped campus dorm access systems to monitor and limit guest entry.
The effectiveness of a security plan is largely driven by the users. Faculty are now regularly trained on the security protocols and procedures their institution has developed and on proactive measures to address a potential crisis before it occurs. Educators are embracing the concept that security in today’s world requires a wider range of tactics to fully protect the students in their charge.
Individual Level
Chances are you, a loved one or a friend will soon be spending time at an academic center. At the individual level, there are still plenty of ways to maintain personal safety and contribute to the security of the institution:
Practice Personal Safety Basics: Criminals look for easy targets who do not pay attention to their surroundings, are not alert to potential dangers, and carelessly expose their valuables. Therefore, practice situational awareness – know what is happening around you and be ready to respond to abnormal events. Be prepared to react to unexpected situations – plan for things that could go wrong. Do not display valuables in public. Become predictably unpredictable by varying your patterns, routes, and times of travel. Do your best to blend into the crowd and keep a low profile.
Report Suspicious Behavior: Perpetrators of mass violence rarely snap without cause. It is commonplace for a bad actor to announce their intentions, especially when it comes to shootings at soft targets like schools and colleges. If an individual around you begins to exhibit red flags (depression, excessive anger, distantness towards others), it’s important to share that information with the appropriate resources at the institution.
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Maintain Good Social Media Hygiene: A common mistake many people make is not enabling appropriate security settings on social media accounts. An open profile can leave personal information at risk. General safety tips include:
Avoid Stalking Victimization: Nearly 6% of all college students nationwide reported they’ve dealt with stalking behavior since beginning their education. While proper social hygiene goes a long way in mitigating potential stalkers, identifying what safety resources are available on campus if a stalking situation were to evolve is equally important.
A “safety-first” approach in academic settings requires participation by all parties. Here’s to a productive and safe school year ahead.
Other Back to School Safety Resources