Update PASS Guidelines Add New Digital Infrastructure Layer

In the ever-changing world of school security, it can sometimes be hard for administrators to keep up with best practices and more. That’s why the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS) and its School Safety and Security Guidelines are so helpful for anyone looking to improve K-12 school security.

And earlier in the summer, the non-profit organization released its seventh-edition of the guidelines with some notable changes.

Most notably, the guidelines add a new Digital Infrastructure layer. That recognizes how important cybersecurity and attentive management to digital systems and data is. It also expands PASS from what was primarily a physical security domain of school security.

Also, the Property Perimeter and Parking Lot Layers have been merged into a Campus Perimeter Layer.

Other additions include detailed guidance on visitor entry, more content on physical hardening, expanded information on panic alarm systems, and in-depth coverage of door locks and door devices.

“I’m so proud of our technical committee and the effort that went into the seventh-edition PASS Guidelines – more than a year of discussion and seeking input from school officials went into this revision. Integrated security and life safety solutions, combined with cloud and power over ethernet and wireless technologies, created the need for an entirely new layer titled digital infrastructure,” said Chuck Wilson, chair of the PASS Board of Directors. “Version 7 embraces the emerging technologies while maintaining our fundamental belief that the basic and foundational methods and solutions are necessary. This is our best work yet. The updated guideline and checklist can flow directly into the threat assessment and the school district’s comprehensive safety plan.

Everyone from school security experts to newcomers should definitely take a look at the guidelines and find out how to better protect a campus.

You can find the updated guidelines on the PASS site at https://passk12.org.

This article originally appeared in the September / October 2025 issue of Campus Security Today.

About the Author

Brent Dirks is senior editor for Security Today and Campus Security Today magazines.

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