Much of the technology we employ and enjoy today – from microchips to miniaturization – would not have been possible were it not for the teams of NASA engineers that sent astronauts to the moon 50 years ago. Many of those technologies have found their way in today’s school security systems. Sonitrol Great Lakes has been protecting schools for more than 50 years and understands that it’s critical to track and evaluate the latest security technology trends.
Here’s a look at some of the security technologies we’ve been following. They include:
- Social media monitoring software, which checks Facebook and other platforms for keywords that may indicate an impending threat or other incident.
- Anonymous alert apps, which can be used by students and staff to signal a threat on campus. These apps are compatible with both Apple iOS and Android smartphones.
- Electronic visitor management systems, which scans a visitor’s photo ID and compares it against, for example, a national database of sex offenders.
- Mass messaging communication software may be used to alert students, faculty, staff, as well as parents of a safety and security incident, delivering real time information via e-mail, voice, and text. Other systems are designed to send mass alerts to classroom and office desktop and laptop computers.
That leaves just one other emerging security technology gaining a lot of interest but raising a host of issues – facial recognition software.
Facial recognition systems identify known threats and alert officials in real time, before the person who is considered a potential security risk gains access to the facility.
While many technology gurus marvel at the possibilities of facial recognition, there are still problems – mainly in the areas of data storage, camera effectiveness, and proper placement of the cameras themselves. Security technology experts are heavily involved in testing facial recognition with the hope that it will evolve and become a more effective security tool.
Use of facial recognition in schools has opened a vigorous debate over its effectiveness, student privacy, and civil rights. It’s up to schools to address these concerns openly, with involvement of all affected parties.