A major part of school security is preparedness for the unthinkable. Active shooter drills are one way to prepare students, teachers, and administrators for an event.
- By Brent Dirks
- April 21, 2025
Florida State University law enforcement officials have issued a stay in place shelter advisory after a gunman entered the campus student union and opened fire.
- By Ralph C. Jensen
- April 17, 2025
Allegion US, provider of security technology, solutions and services, is proud to announce a strategic alliance with Atrium Campus, renowned for their cloud native campus card solutions for the higher education vertical. The two companies are establishing a formal partnership to revolutionize access control, credentialing, and campus one card solutions. Together, they aim to deliver an unparalleled, seamless experience for college and university campuses.
The importance of investing in school safety cannot be overstated, but knowing where to start implementation of school safety features can be a challenge. A recent survey by the National Center on Education Statistics found that a quarter of U.S. public schools have classrooms with doors that can't be locked from the inside. Even among schools with doors that do lock, recent legislation reflects a common misconception that simply keeping the doors locked all day will eliminate the potential for an attack, in direct violation of PASS (Partner Alliance for Safer Schools) Guidelines.
- By Guy Grace
- March 19, 2025
The Center for Internet Security, Inc. (CIS) has released its 2025 CIS MS-ISAC K-12 Cybersecurity Report at the SXSW EDU conference in Austin, Texas, to an audience of educators, administrators, innovators, and technology experts. The report details the increasing sophistication, frequency, and impact of cyber attacks against K-12 schools. This is CIS’s third annual report dedicated to K-12 cybersecurity, and the second year partnering with the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), bringing together experience, expertise, and resources to address this critical issue.
The security landscape is undergoing a transformative shift as innovative technologies redefine how we safeguard public spaces, schools, hospitals, and other critical environments. AI-powered solutions are revolutionizing safety by enhancing detection accuracy, streamlining operations, and optimizing resource allocation.
- By Chris Ciabarra
- February 28, 2025
The issue of concealed weapons being introduced into school extracurricular activities, including sporting events and graduations, became a growing concern in communities across the nation. According to the K-12 School Shooting Database, there were at least 202 incidents of gunfire on school grounds in 2024 across the United States, resulting in 56 deaths and 147 injuries, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced safety protocols.
- By Todd Hokunson
- February 26, 2025
Today’s higher education campuses function much like small cities. Each department works autonomously yet relies on shared resources to operate effectively. Since these departments often work independently, collaboration can be difficult, leading to inefficiencies.
- By Bruce Canal
- February 25, 2025
Schools sometimes need guidance to determine where to start with a security system upgrade, given the vast number of solutions available today. Funding can be a complicated piece of the puzzle to work out, so schools want to ensure that they’re making informed decisions about their security investments.
- By Jill Renihan
- February 24, 2025
Improving physical security on K-12 campuses is always at the top of mind for decision makers like principals, superintendents, and many others with a focus on surveillance cameras, access control, and emergency drills. But cybersecurity something that needs as much scrutiny as in today’s digital landscape.
- By Brent Dirks
- February 18, 2025
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, and Metrasens, a provider of advanced detection systems for security and safety applications, today announced a new industry partnership. This collaboration will enhance safety measures across campuses nationwide, including hospitals and schools, by combining leading-edge detection technologies to better protect customers in these environments.
Allied Universal recently announced its collaboration with Clery Center to support programs and initiatives that help create safer higher education campuses across the U.S.
CENTEGIX announces a strategic partnership with SaferWatch, a safety and security application provider with direct integrations to emergency response centers and law enforcement. Integrating CENTEGIX’s Safety Platform, including CrisisAlert wearable panic buttons, with SaferWatch’s robust emergency communication platform will drive faster and more precise responses to emergencies, ensuring that every second matters when protecting the community.
ZeroEyes, the creators of the only AI-based gun detection video analytics platform that holds the full U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act Designation, today announced that its proactive gun detection and intelligent situational awareness solution has been deployed at Kenston Local School District in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, to proactively protect students, teachers, visitors and staff against gun-related threats.
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
- January 10, 2025
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
- January 07, 2025
NAPCO Security Technologies, Inc., announced it has recently expanded the Prima Security & Connected Home Sales Team, with the addition of two key personnel, Bryan Pope & Adam Krueger, Business Development Managers, East & West, respectively.
- By Ralph C. Jensen
- December 18, 2024
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
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