Black Hills State University recognized the need for a centralized video system to improve campus security and streamline operations. The university sought a solution that could unify its main campus with a satellite location, enable cross-department access, and scale with future growth. By implementing open platform video technology, BHSU laid the foundation for a comprehensive, flexible, and scalable security infrastructure.
- By Brad Cary
- November 13, 2024
The education sector is a prime target for cyber-attacks. Campuses typically have a large number of people (students; faculty; temporary staff) accessing their systems and networks or connecting devices with relatively limited controls imposed. In addition, students often connect their personal mobile phones and laptops to campus networks thus potentially increasing the cybersecurity risk.
- By Martin Mackay
- November 13, 2024
St. Jude School in Mountain Top, Pennsylvania, is a private Catholic elementary school that serves students from Pre-K through grade 8.
Recognized as a Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education, St. Jude offers diverse educational programs designed to foster a nurturing and challenging learning environment, and extracurricular activities like sports are an integral part of promoting teamwork, discipline, and physical fitness.
- By Heather Bender
- November 12, 2024
In spring 2023, the University of Pittsburgh opened the doors to a seven-story west wing addition to Alan Magee Scaife Hall. The medical school building features several updated lecture halls, labs and classrooms. It also includes team-based learning and small group rooms as well as an entire floor dedicated to medical students. This floor is meant for students to congregate, study and build community.
Class period bells have been ringing across campuses for a few months now, but that doesn’t mean the subject of safety was fully settled before the start of the new school year. As one wise person once said, “It’s a journey, not a destination”. That’s why it remains a leading issue among administrators, faculty, students, and communities. Schools are striving to be at the top of their class when it comes to the ability to control access instantly and securely, monitor suspicious behavior accurately and consistently, and respond to threats immediately and effectively. Ultimately, they aim to provide a reassuring, comfortable, and conducive environment for a rich learning experience. These goals apply whether at a community college in Southern California, a major university in Pennsylvania, or a rural K-12 district in Michigan.
- By Jeremy Saline
- November 08, 2024
Every day, thousands of alerts and sets of data compete for your attention. Many of these relate to minor events that don’t need an immediate response. Unmanaged, this constant flow of alarms obscures real threats. A unified security operations center (SOC) can be a resource to help cut down on the noise and aid in collaboration. A SOC helps security personnel view their security systems in one place, share information seamlessly, and respond more effectively.
- By Bruce Canal
- November 07, 2024
In September, at GSX 2024 in Orlando, committee members gave an update on the ASIS School Security Standard. One of the committee members, Jeffrey Slotnick, CPP, PSP, said the standard will help K-12 schools find the right track to improve security. The entire committee is made up of more than 50 volunteers from both the public and private sector. It includes best practices from security experts, educators, law enforcement, and mental health professionals.
- By Brent Dirks
- November 06, 2024
The college experience is often described as a whirlwind of activities. From learning and personal growth to social events and advocacy, students constantly find themselves engaging in a diverse, vibrant campus life. However, along with the fun and learning comes the need to ensure safety, especially during large gatherings. Whether it's a homecoming parade, a football game, or an organized protest, these events carry inherent risks that require thorough planning and modern security approaches.
- By Dean Cunningham
- November 05, 2024
ZeroEyes, the creators of the only AI-based gun detection video analytics platform that holds the full US Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act Designation, today announced that its proactive gun detection and intelligent situational awareness solution is deployed at the University of New Haven. This integration marks the first time a Connecticut university has adopted ZeroEyes, enhancing the safety and security measures across the campus and surrounding areas.
Emerging from a major four-year renovation, the reimagined Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History has reopened its doors to the delight of the citizens of its longtime home in New Haven, Connecticut and the many visitors, students, and researchers who come to explore and learn about its breathtaking collections and fascinating exhibitions.
- By Bill Shaughnessy
- October 14, 2024
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recently released the Anonymized Threat Response Guidance: A Toolkit for K-12 Schools, a new resource to help kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) schools and their law enforcement and community partners create tailored approaches to addressing anonymous threats of violence, including those received on social media. The toolkit outlines steps school leaders can take to assess and respond to anonymous threats, better prepare for and prevent future threats, and work in coordination with law enforcement and other local partners when these threats arise. It is co-sealed with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which provided expert feedback on the toolkit’s key principles and strategies.
Workplace violence is a serious and growing challenge for many organizations — including those in the healthcare industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers in healthcare and social services experience the highest rates of injuries caused by workplace violence and are five times as likely to suffer a workplace violence injury than workers overall — and aggressive incidents are rising.
- By John Joyce
- October 01, 2024
ZeroEyes, the creators of the only AI-based gun detection video analytics platform that holds the US Department of Homeland Security Safety Act Designation, and GeoComm, the provider of locally authoritative indoor and outdoor Geographic Information Systems (GIS), today announced a technology integration partnership to enhance emergency response and school safety. This collaboration merges ZeroEyes' AI gun detection and situational awareness software with GeoComm's comprehensive indoor mapping solutions to provide real-time, actionable intelligence to any Iowa K-12 schools.
Colin Gray, the father of the 14-year-old Georgia school shooting suspect, has also been charged in connection with the attack. The 54-year-old father was charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder and eight counts of cruelty to children.
- By Brent Dirks
- September 09, 2024
The healthcare industry is experiencing an alarming escalation of violence, including an increase in threats against healthcare workers. As a result, it is looking for ways to be proactive and protect its staff and patients. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate of injuries from violent attacks against medical professionals grew by 63% from 2011 to 2018 and hospital safety directors say that aggression against staff escalated as the COVID-19 pandemic intensified in 2020.
- By Monique Merhige
- September 06, 2024
CENTEGIX recently released findings from a nationwide survey of 530 K-12 educators and administrators that bring attention to the critical issue of school safety, including the pervasive concerns surrounding staff safety, recruitment, retention, and their impact on student learning and well-being.
An active shooter situation is often cited as being extremely rare among school violence incidents in our country. Nevertheless, when one occurs, it’s always devastating, often unpredictable, and evolves quickly. Whether at a school, a house of worship, or anywhere for that matter, one is still too many.
- By Mark Berger, Guy Grace
- September 05, 2024
Everything is bigger in Texas, including the number of school districts. There are more than 1,200 public school districts in the state. And with back-to-school season here, the safety and security of students, faculty, and staff is a top concern. With such a large state and different types of districts, school security processes are often much different. One district might have a very different school security approach then a district across the state.
- By Brent Dirks
- September 04, 2024
Four people were killed and nine were injured hospitalized after a shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia on Wednesday.
- By Brent Dirks
- September 04, 2024
Most campuses do not exist in a vacuum. They are part of a broader community like a town, a borough, a city, a county, or a state. As such, there are a host of external resources available to help them through a crisis: from emergency responders such as police, EMTs and firefighters to mental health counselors, local emergency management departments, and media outlets.
- By Dean Cunningham
- September 03, 2024
Anyone who’s ever set foot on a college campus has experienced it. The sudden emergence of a speeding car as if from nowhere. The whoosh of a car passing as you crane your neck before crossing the street. The lurch of your stomach as you realize that vehicle could have so easily collided with you. Erratic driving isn’t unique to the college-aged demographic, but it’s a predictable part of campus life. Students want to make it to class on time. Or they’re eager to finally get off campus after a long day. Either way, they’re often rushing. And the repercussions can be frightening, and even tragic.
- By Devorah Warner
- September 03, 2024
ZeroEyes, the creators of the only AI-based gun detection video analytics platform that holds the US Department of Homeland Security Safety Act Designation, and Raptor Technologies, the leading provider of school safety software, today announced their system technology integration partnership to enhance emergency response and school safety. The companies unveiled their first joint customer, Angleton Independent School District (ISD), which has successfully adopted ZeroEyes’ AI gun detection and situational awareness software integrated directly with the Raptor Alert silent panic alert technology systems.
Omnilert, a provider of active shooter solutions, today announced that Sarasota County Schools in Florida is deploying its Omnilert Gun Detect system to monitor over 4,800 security cameras throughout the entire school district, representing the largest deployment of its kind in Florida aimed at thwarting the presence of weapons on school campuses. Omnilert Gun Detect is the most effective and complete AI visual gun detection system available today – providing 24/7 monitoring with a near-instant response at the first sight of a gun with rich automation capabilities that can lock doors, notify police and trigger alarms to ensure the best possible outcomes in the event of an active shooter incident.
Laton Unified School District (LUSD) is a K-12 school district in Laton, Calif, located just south of Fresno in California's Central Valley. LUSD is comprised of four schools that serve about 700 students total. It's campus includes a preschool, an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school. As a small district with limited resources, LUSD was struggling to maintain its aging surveillance infrastructure across the district schools. Video cameras are a vital component of keeping students and faculty safe, yet the cost to maintain these systems was prohibitive.
- By Steve Prodger
- August 28, 2024
An overwhelming majority (96%) of parents in the United States support a mandate requiring schools to share security cameras with 911 Communications Centers during emergencies, according to a survey of K-12 parents. A federal mandate was preferred by 56% of parents, 29% wanted a community-level requirement, and 11% favored a school district mandate.
Mobile credentials, or the use of smartphones or other mobile devices to access secure areas, are increasingly considered as an alternative to traditional keycards and ID badges in schools. However, while mobile credentials offer several advantages, such as convenience and cost savings, there are also potential drawbacks to their use. To help aid schools in improving safety measures, let us explore the pros and cons of using mobile credentials for school safety and explain why it is important to always have multiple options in place.
- By Andrew Schonzeit
- August 01, 2024
Back in June, the NEA and Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund released a School Gun Violence Prevention and Response Guide. And anyone involved in campus safety should make sure to read the entire report.
- By Brent Dirks
- July 19, 2024
Parking: for many, it’s an everyday fact of life. Whenever we drive somewhere, we must consider parking, and often, that parking experience sets our mood and expectations for the rest of the journey. Whether a quick grocery store pickup or long-term airport parking, the parking lot is an integral part of whatever type of campus you’re visiting. This includes destinations like retail stores, your local high school, hospitals, and the park-and-ride systems present in major cities.
- By Drew Pacino
- July 18, 2024
The opioid crisis is escalating across the United States, increasingly affecting all segments of the population, including students on K-12 and college campuses. As the threat from opioids, especially fentanyl, becomes more widespread, it's critical for schools to have naloxone available—an antidote for opioid overdoses. This article discusses why naloxone should be as common as Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in educational settings.
- By Ross Seeley
- July 17, 2024
Video surveillance is one of the most common security measures implemented by educational institutions today, but installing cameras is just the beginning. Adopting a holistic, comprehensive approach to video surveillance is a more effective way to safeguard campus communities and fully realize the value of your investment in physical security systems.
- By Bruce Canal
- July 16, 2024