Top Stories


Smart Cards and ID Cards Go Sustainable as Part of Security Industry’s Overall Push into Environmental Stewardship

Smart cards and ID Cards have become ubiquitous and will likely remain a fixture in the access-control landscape even as mobile IDs reach their tipping point. The convenience of mobile IDs continues to make them an increasingly attractive option, but the physical card will still be required in many applications. This is why their transition to more sustainable card materials is a key element of the security industry’s broader focus on environmental stewardship.

New York Lifts Ban on Biometric Technologies in K-12 Schools

New York Lifts Ban on Biometric Technologies in K-12 Schools

On Sept. 27, 2023, New York State Department of Education Commissioner Betty A. Rosa issued a determination that lifted the nearly three-year ban on use of biometric technologies in both public and private K-12 schools in effect from December 2020



Milestone Launches Grant Program for Security Projects Funding

SPONSORED

Milestone Launches Grant Program for Security Projects Funding

Milestone Systems is offering a new grant program to help education, healthcare, and non-profit organizations in the United States secure grants for purchasing security software and systems that they likely otherwise would not be able to afford. In addition, the program supports end customers throughout the entire grant process – from application to funding to management – assisting with a potentially overwhelming experience.

New California Law Places Additional Taxes on Guns, Ammunition to Pay for School Security

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has recently signed a new law to add additional taxes to guns and ammunition sales in the state to help pay for school security.

Video Analytics Solutions Provider Joins School Safety Coalition

The ZeroNow coalition, an alliance of security and safety professionals dedicated to preventing violence in schools, recently gained a new member in behavioral recognition video analytics solutions provider viisights, Inc., according to a news release.

Real Time Crime Center Operations to Improve Campus Security

Limited resources and evolving threats make it more challenging than ever for campus police departments and physical security teams. To effectively ensure public safety, many campus police departments are adopting new operation models.

Electronic Key Cabinet System Lets Districts Think Outside the (Knox) Box

Electronic Key Cabinet System Lets Districts Think Outside the (Knox) Box

As parents and students nationwide prepare to return to school, concerns over school safety continue to grow. With numerous high-profile incidents of active threats in the news, parents and educators are grappling with the best ways to protect students and staff from danger.

Lockdown Strategies: Unique for K–12 and Higher Education

Lockdown Strategies: Unique for K–12 and Higher Education

Lockdown strategies play a critical role in ensuring the safety, security, and wellness of students, faculty, and staff in every school setting.

Strategy and Options for Ballistically Protecting Your School

If you’re a school administrator faced with the daunting task of identifying ballistic barrier products to install in your school, chances are you need a source of clear, practical recommendations.

Campus Viewpoint

New Beginnings

Hi, and welcome to the inaugural issue of Campus Security Today, formerly known as Campus Security & Life Safety. Our rebrand officially took effect in July—partly to align ourselves more closely with our sister publication, Security Today, but also to signal a subtle honing of our editorial coverage to refocus on the topics that matter most to our audience.

Technology Integrations Are Producing Effective Results in Visitor Management

Technology Integrations Are Producing Effective Results in Visitor Management

Not only can a visitor management system heighten security and safety—mainly by vetting visitors before they’re permitted to enter a facility—it also can help campuses be compliant with occupancy levels dictated by fire codes and other regulations.

Defending the Campus Perimeter with Audio

Whether it’s an airport or a college campus, perimeter security breaches are not rare. It’s difficult to protect large areas of an airport. Yet, those facilities are secured with large fences.

Metcalfe County Schools: Protecting Student Health and Wellbeing

According to a 2021 report prepared by Kentucky Incentives for Prevention, vaping rates among Kentucky students are higher than the national average, with 24% of seniors and 17% of sophomores reporting daily use.

Evolv, Omnilert Partner on AI Gun Detection Solution

Active shooter solutions company Omnilert recently announced a partnership with Evolv Technology on Evolv’s newest product, Evolv Extend, according to a news release. Evolv Extend uses Omnilert’s open platform and flexible monitoring capabilities to determine where to send detection alerts for brandished weapons.

Shooting at UNC-Chapel Hill Leaves One Faculty Member Dead

A shooting at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill left one faculty member dead and triggered a campus-wide lockdown on Monday afternoon, according to national news. The shooting took place in a university science building, and the suspected shooter was taken into custody about 90 minutes after the first reports of gunfire.

University of North Carolina on Lockdown

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was placed on lockdown Monday following reports of an “armed and dangerous person” on or near the campus, according to national news.

Arkansas School District Secures Activity Center With Paxton Access Control

As an integral part of the Huntsville (Arkansas) School District’s future sports complex, the new activity center serves as the hub for student activities across the district. Located on a remote site that’s home to the Huntsville Eagles Sports Complex, it is the future location that will house the district’s football and track stadium, baseball facilities, activity center, and other buildings that will be used to host activities and high school graduations.

Flexibility and Capability: The Two Cornerstones for Successful Remote Monitoring

While there are many factors to consider when selecting a security system, when it comes to remote monitoring, the decisions fall into two categories: flexibility and capability.

Pulaski County Schools Select Status Solutions Situational Awareness Software

Status Solutions is proud to announce its latest partnership with Pulaski County Public Schools in Virginia. Building upon an established relationship with the Pulaski County Board of Supervisors, Status Solutions will extend its innovative solutions to the school district through its Grant of Use program, reinforcing the commitment to safety that the district and Pulaski County have embraced for years.

Solving the Challenges of Printer Jams, Card Waste, and Long Lines at the One Card Office

NC State University One Card offices face tough challenges trying to serve tens of thousands of students, faculty and staff. Every person needs an ID card to access various aspects of campus life, from entering residence halls and other buildings to linking to debit accounts and proving student status to participate in university activities. One Card office challenges include improving printer efficiency, reducing card waste, and eliminating the hassles of having to visit one central location to pick up cards.

Better Together

Physical security software and hardware have come a long way in recent years. Yet while systems like access control, intrusion monitoring, and video management are powerful tools, it’s how we use them that matters.

Springfield College Police Department Upgrades VMS for Improved Live Monitoring, Investigations

Springfield College is an independent, non-profit, coeducational institution founded in 1885. Approximately 4,100 students, including 2,500 full-time undergraduate students, study at its main campus in Springfield, Massachusetts, and at its regional campuses across the country. Known as the birthplace of basketball, Springfield College is where the sport was invented.

Texas Health System Deploys AI Gun Detection Technology

ZeroEyes and UMC Health System in Lubbock, Texas announced the deployment of ZeroEyes’ software to protect the facility’s patients, employees and visitors against gun-related violence.

Having a Video Surveillance System Might be Useless if Its Not Being Used Correctly

Having a Video Surveillance System Might be Useless if Its Not Being Used Correctly

Most schools and universities have video surveillance systems installed to protect students, teachers, and staff. However, it may be surprising to know that many of these systems are woefully inadequate for the critical tasks they are expected to perform.

Surveillance Solutions Improve Campus Parking Beyond Security

Surveillance Solutions Improve Campus Parking Beyond Security

Campus environments come in many shapes and forms: universities, hospitals, corporate, military bases, or even airports—but they may all share common challenges when it comes to parking.

Accounting for Human Error

Much of the discourse around campus security—especially active shooter scenarios—revolves around making it as easy as possible for teachers and students to trigger an alarm in the event of an emergency.

Creating Safer Classrooms with Lockdown & Emergency Response Systems

Creating Safer Classrooms with Lockdown & Emergency Response Systems

Schools in the United States use a variety of emergency response systems, including lockdown procedures, fire alarms, and evacuation plans.

Unlocking School Safety: The Unknown Tool that 911 Says Could Change Everything

Unlocking School Safety: The Unknown Tool that 911 Says Could Change Everything

In 2022, there were 46 school shootings, which marked the highest number of such incidents since the tragic events at Columbine. These shootings have exacerbated the wave of violence facing our children.

Georgia State University Adds Knightscope Blue Light Towers, Call Boxes

Georgia State University Adds Knightscope Blue Light Towers, Call Boxes

Knightscope Inc. recently announced that Georgia State University selected Knightscope Authorized Partner Transportation Solutions & Lighting, Inc., – Safety and Security Division – National Safety Systems to supply, install, and support more than 50 Knightscope K1 Blue Light Emergency Towers and Call Boxes throughout their downtown Atlanta campus.

Five Reasons to Choose CPVC for School Fire Sprinkler Systems

Five Reasons to Choose CPVC for School Fire Sprinkler Systems

From kindergarten through university, fire sprinkler systems play an important role in keeping students and staff safe in the event of a fire. Fire sprinklers are critical to protecting people and property because they prevent a fire from spreading before fire crews arrive.

Featured

  • Two Killed During Shooting at Wisconsin Christian School

    Two people were killed and five injured during a shooting at the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis. on Monday. Read Now

  • Black Hills State University Takes an Open, Scalable Approach to Video Security

    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. Read Now

  • Pennsylvania School Uses Locked, Rolling Security Grille to Control Spectators, Secure Building

    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. Read Now

  • Fire-Rated Glazing Assemblies Modernize Academic and Social Hub

    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. Read Now