Re-posted with permission from Diamond Business Services and edited.
Many schools have implemented segments of this plan in stages, often when budget allows or in response to an emergency. Many processes were put into place after the Columbine school shooting in 1999, and 20 years later, how much has responsive security and even proactive security changed?
One way to ensure seamless safety standards is to have all components working together smoothly. BadgePass from your local ISG dealer has the ability to make all of that happen through one solution. Perhaps it is time for your school to review these standards to ensure that your campus is providing a comprehensive secure identification plan. One that meets your security needs today, while being adaptable for the future.
Components of a Complete Identity Program
1. Wearing Visual Identification
By implementing a visual identification policy district-wide, schools can foster an environment that encourages faculty and staff to question unknown people on their campus. Many schools that we work with are requiring the visual display of identification for all faculty, staff, students and even visitors. This makes it easier to recognize when unauthorized people are in your buildings or on your grounds.
We believe that the design of these cards should change each year to ensure that employees or students from the past do not gain access to your facilities without permission.
2. Manned Visitor Management
In the past, there was a trend to move to unmanned kiosk visitor stations, but more and more schools are moving away from that as they see that the lack of visual verification of visitors has enabled some unwanted guests to enter. If a school official might suspect that they may be on a banned list or even on a sex offender list, why would an unauthorized visitor sign-in with their correct name? Requiring a government-issued ID to be presented to a school employee at check-in is the only way to verify the person is who they say they are.
BadgePass has the ability to login a verified visitor within just 6 seconds. Any unwanted guests will be banned from entering the school. Where there are entry vestibules, there can also be a reader to allow individual visitors to swipe their card for entry and then be visually verified by the employee before receiving a visitor pass.
3. Access Controlled Entry Points
Schools should manage the flow of visitor, faculty and student traffic through predefined entry points. More schools are implementing electronic card access systems to monitor door status and enable easy lockdown campus-wide, if necessary. To better manage traffic flow, schools should implement a system that can notify them when doors are propped open. Such a system should also be programmed to deactivate credentials automatically when a person leaves the district and no longer needs access rights or privileges.
Instant termination of access privileges is critical to ensure there are no gaps in security. When there are more active cards than active cardholders, you can experience “credential overflow”. BadgePass can ensure that having lost or unused cards are instantly deactivated and no longer usable by unauthorized individuals.
4. Integrated Video Surveillance
Anytime an event occurs in a district, schools should be able to access real-time information within seconds. Campuses nationwide rely on video surveillance and quality reporting for accurate recall of various occurrences. In order to receive the most accurate and reliable data possible, schools should ensure their system offers fast and easy access to video footage or reporting information and avoid inaccurate data and unknown camera outages. BadgePass is proud to integrate with Video Insights and other industry leaders to ensure campus video systems stay in optimal condition.
The ISG is Here to Help
Implementing a program that has seamless integration from all components allows a school to have a well-rounded security program. Forming a partnership with the experts in this field, like your local ISG dealer, can help relieve some of your operational stress points and ensure that you have a comprehensive identity program in place.
We believe that complete credential management is critical for your school’s security and your students’ and staff’s safety.
Original article written by Charlia Pence for Diamond Business Services
