The practice of schools relying on paper sign-in logs to keep track of visitors is antiquated and dangerous. Having an effective and visible digital visitor management system is the best way to reduce risk and show parents and students that schools are actively managing school safety.
According to Campus Security & Life Safety Magazine, cloud-based digital visitor management systems help schools prevent dangerous mistakes by screening each visitor’s personal information against sex offender registries in all U.S. states and territories. The most powerful systems also filter each person against customized databases, like those containing custodial restrictions, banned or restricted access, and expelled students.
In addition, the most robust systems sync with the school’s Student Information Systems (SIS) to directly pull data from the database and ensure schools release students only to approved individuals.
For example, when a guardian signs in to pick up a student for early dismissal, the visitor management system should automatically screen them against the sex offender and custom databases and display the guardian’s information in the school’s SIS against the information in the visitor management system.
With a digital visitor management system, school administrators can see accurate and reliable visitor details and sign-in history—at the building and district level—and make security decisions accordingly. If a visitor is banned from one establishment and attempts to sign into another building in the district, school staff are instantly notified.
The most powerful visitor management systems integrate with an emergency management system. This integration empowers schools to respond to and recover from emergencies faster and smarter.
The Education Market security experts at Sonitrol Great Lakes stand ready to help schools better manage their access control and visitor protocols. Contact us to learn more.