As an organization, it saddens us to see another shooting at a place where our children are supposed to learn, have fun, and most of all be safe from the dangers of the outside world. However, there are measures that can be put in place to help protect the students while monitoring and controlling who is coming into our schools. The technology is there, it’s just a matter of using it in the right way. We can address these problems without having to rely on government officials to institute new laws. Schools can install an access control system at a minimal cost that will allow them to initiate a Security Lock-down.

A security lock-down is a simple way to shut down and secure a site at the touch of a button or a simple phone call. In the event of an emergency, this would allow staff members to initiate a lock-down sequence, which would lock all controlled doors in the building. The lock-down will deny entry to anyone who tries to enter the building or any controlled rooms and only the designated administrator(s) would be able to override the system. This basic security measure helps prevent an active shooting from having free reign of the building, including the classrooms where kids are located. In the event of a fire, the system will of course allow students and staff to exit safely.

The card designer feature in suretyCAM’s Paxton Access control system allows students or staff to use their access cards as ID cards. This can help keep track of students movements and set different access permissions for students, staff and visitors, ensuring that everyone is in the right place. With this feature, you can allow access to part time staff only when they are scheduled to work. Access can be controlled by day, time and only allow entry to the areas specifically assigned to each individual. The administrator(s) can allow, deny and pause access to all students and staff with a simple click of a button in the included software.

This is a valuable protection against a growing problem in our nation. It can’t always prevent the tragedies completely but it can certainly help reduce their frequency, contain the shooter and reduce the severity of the loss. We can and should use technology to monitor individuals coming in and out of our schools, and provide our schools with security lock-down capabilities, helping to provide a safe environment for our children.

suretyCAM provides leading edge access control systems in Columbus, Ohio and the surrounding areas.