Ensuring Campus Safety: Key Security Measures for Educational Institutions

A troubling statistic has surfaced in recent years: According to a 2023 Gallup survey, 38% of parents in the U.S. say they worry about their child’s physical safety at school, and 14% say their child has expressed concerns about their safety. In high schools alone, about 23,400 on-campus criminal incidents are reported each year.

It shouldn’t be this way.

Schools and universities are meant to be havens for learning—spaces where students explore ideas, engage with peers, and grow into their futures. Yet, administrators, facility managers, and security teams are continually battling an evolving landscape of safety threats. 

Among the most pressing concerns:

• Violence – Fights and other physical assaults against students and staff members can lead to injuries and contribute to a general sense of insecurity.
• Sexual assault – This is a significant concern, particularly on college campuses, and requires robust deterrents.
• Cybersecurity threats – Due to increasing reliance on digital platforms, protecting sensitive information from cyberattacks is crucial.
• Vandalism and theft – These can be disruptive to the learning environment and divert budgets from education to repair.

Physical security measures are essential to produce a safe learning environment where students can grow academically and socially. To that end, a comprehensive security strategy helps deter potential threats and ensures a swift and effective response in case of an incident.

Key Campus Security Measures

Visible Manned Guarding

Manned guarding ensures that there is a human element in campus security. Security guards can make real-time decisions and respond to incidents promptly. Capabilities typically include patrolling the campus, monitoring entry points, and providing immediate assistance in emergencies.

The presence of security personnel in bright, fluorescent vests acts as a visible deterrent to potential threats, as well as providing reassurance to students and staff. Manned guarding can include bike and mobile patrols using overlapping zones for complete coverage.

Physical Security and Access Control

On-site security also requires access control systems to prevent unauthorized visitors or intruders from entering campus facilities. Such systems include:

Fencing and Barriers

Perimeter fencing can prevent unauthorized entry and protect the campus from external threats. Smaller schools, for example, have gone to fenced campuses where students, staff, and visitors are funnelled through limited entry points equipped with physical measures like metal detectors or guards.

Access Control Systems

Visitor access can be granted only after proof of identity and the reason for the visit, limiting access to anyone who is not on an approved, pre-registered list.

Electronic access control systems can keep doors locked except for those authorized to access campus buildings. These systems can include:

• Key card systems for students and staff, using cards with magnetic strips or RFID chips
• Mobile access via smartphone apps
• Biometrics systems, using unique physical characteristics such as fingerprints or retinal scans for highly sensitive areas

Modern school safety systems can integrate with HRIS and facility management systems to manage access for multiple areas of campus, making management simpler.

In case of an emergency, having an easy way to manage lockdowns is critical. Access control systems can be designed to lock down facilities across campus instantly when required.

Video Surveillance for Schools

Installing campus-wide video surveillance systems allows for continuous monitoring of public areas, entry points, and critical facilities.

Surveillance cameras act as a visible deterrent while providing continuous monitoring.

AI-enhanced video cameras can include features such as facial recognition, license plate detection, and more. Analysis can distinguish between an animal passing by and someone loitering around the facility or acting suspiciously. The use of AI and machine learning also significantly reduces false alarms, allowing security teams to focus on real threats.

Monitoring can be handled internally, or campuses can add 24/7 remote monitoring of inbound and outbound activity for an additional layer of school safety.

HD surveillance cameras can also aid in investigations by providing visual evidence if an incident occurs.

Emergency Communications

In case of an incident, academic institutions should have a reliable emergency communication system in place to alert students, staff, and faculty promptly. This can include:

• Public address systems to broadcast emergency messages across the campus
• Mobile alerts to send text messages or push notifications to mobile devices
• Strategically located emergency call boxes for contacting security or emergency services

Best Practices for Campus Security

Employing a few best practices can greatly enhance campus security. 

Security Audits

The first step is to conduct regular security audits, which help identify vulnerabilities and areas where improvement is needed. Audits include an overall threat and risk assessment along with site inspections to evaluate deterrent, protection, and response mechanisms.

Audits should evaluate:

• Security policies and procedures
• Emergency response
• Perimeter security
• Entry and exit points
• Access controls
• Video surveillance coverage
• Human surveillance
• Training content for security staff

A Layered Approach

Combining human and technological resources creates a layered security approach that maximizes effectiveness. Security guards, physical barriers, surveillance systems, and emergency communications should work together to provide comprehensive protection.

This can be challenging in the event of disparate legacy systems, which is why the recommendation is generally to integrate processes and manage within a centralized system to enhance school safety.

Training and Awareness

Training programs on security protocols and emergency procedures are essential. This should include staff and students, to ensure that everyone understands the importance of security, how to recognize and report suspicious activities, and what to do in emergency situations.

Choosing the Right Partner for Security Services

Lastly, selecting a reputable and experienced security provider is key. Look for a partner that offers a range of security services and technology solutions, has a proven track record, and can tailor their solutions to meet your specific needs.

Security guards should also receive specialized training on topics such as:

• Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), to ensure they interact respectfully and fairly with all members of the campus community
• Sexual violence, so they know how to recognize and respond to incidents of sexual violence
• Bullying and harassment, to learn to recognize the signs of bullying and harassment and how to intervene effectively

Ensuring Campus Safety with GardaWorld Security

If you are looking for reliable and comprehensive security solutions, GardaWorld Security offers a range of services specifically designed to meet the unique needs of educational institutions. Contact us today to discuss our proven solutions for campus security.