Electronic Access Control: The Key to Campus and School Security
In recent years, security has become a major concern for schools and college campuses. An increase in campus violence and school shootings means that elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and college and university campuses must take action to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their students, faculty, and staff.
In the past, school security may have involved little more than the presence of a school resource officer or the need for guests to sign in at the main office upon entry. Now, however, these sorts of safety measures are often inadequate when it comes to addressing the increased threat level experienced by many schools and campuses.
With this in mind, campuses and schools have a delicate balance to maintain. On the one hand, it’s essential that students and teachers feel protected. They deserve to be provided with a safe and secure learning environment. At the same time, however, an excessive amount of highly visible security infrastructure can make students feel like they’re in an oppressive, uncomfortable, or dangerous environment.
Schools and campuses have to maintain this balance while keeping the needs of students, employees, and visitors in mind. The right access control system makes this possible.
Increased School Security: Access Control Technology is Now the Norm
In the past, school security systems were often limited in both scope and technological capabilities. Recently, however, electronic access control systems have become the norm in schools nationwide.
An electronic access control system is comprised of a variety of security solutions, including card readers, magnetic locks, video surveillance, and more. Unlike conventional door locks, electronic locks allow schools and campuses to control which individuals can access specific rooms or areas of the school. These card readers are controlled via a computer network, making it easy to adjust employee access at the press of a button. Staff members can be given access to certain rooms or buildings as needed.
An electronic access control system also makes it possible to contain an emergency situation. With an electronic system, you have the ability to lock down individual rooms, hallways, or entire buildings as needed in the event of an emergency. This key feature is one reason why electronic access control has become the preferred solution for school security across the country.
An Integrated Approach to School Security with Access Control
Taking an integrated approach to school security involves the implementation of a variety of security and monitoring systems. These systems work together in a comprehensive, integrated manner in order to ensure the safety of students and staff.
An electronic access control system will typically include the following components:
– Access control and security hardware
– Magnetic door locks
– Wireless and wired electronic locksets
– Video surveillance systems
– Critical communications systems
– System monitoring capabilities
Peace of Mind for Students, Parents, and Staff
Students need a safe and secure learning environment in order to succeed. They should be focused on learning, not worrying about their safety. Similarly, parents ought to feel confident about their children’s safety when sending them off to school, be it at the elementary, middle, or high school level. It’s also essential that faculty, staff, and management feel secure while on school grounds. If teachers are worried about basic safety issues, it will be impossible for them to focus on their central task: providing students with an education.
By implementing a comprehensive access control system, you can give students, parents and staff the peace of mind they need. Students and teachers can focus on the task at hand, while parents can rest assured that their children are in a secure environment.
Choosing the Right Access Control Provider
Electronic access control is an ideal school safety solution. The integration of access control hardware, magnetic locks, video surveillance, communications systems, and monitoring capabilities allows schools to provide students and staff with a safe and secure learning environment.
Every school is different, however, and the needs of individual campuses will vary. Designing a system which can account for students, staff, and visitors can be a challenge. That’s why it’s so important to choose the right access control provider.
At Signal Technologies, we have notable experience when it comes to school safety solutions. Our expert technicians will design and install an access control system that meets the unique needs of your school or college campus. Thanks to our 24/7 customer support and highly trained maintenance team, you can rest assured that we’ll take care of any issues that arise related to your electronic access control system. We also provide training and support for school staff, ensuring that your employees understand how to use the key features of your new system.
Keep your students, faculty, and staff safe. Contact Signal Technologies today to discuss your access control needs.
