Page 19 - Campus Security & Life Safety, May/June 2019

"Lack of integration creates unforseen vulnerabilities in your security blanket."
Moving in from the Perimeter
After a school visitor parks their vehicle and arrives at the school building, it’s advisable to have a walkthrough metal detector which detects concealed metal objects. In addition to addressing the threat of dangerous metal weapons enter the school, there’s now an epi- demic of under-age vape users in school. Vape pens are usually con- structed out of metal, which thankfully can be detected by most metal detectors.
There are typically two schools of thought regarding the installa- tion of walkthrough metal detectors in school entrances. Some advo- cates of metal detectors like the deterrence created from installing them. The presence of metal detectors tells criminals and vapers that the school takes security and compliance seriously. Those school offi- cials disliking walkthrough metal detectors often cite not wanting the school to resemble a prison. Thankfully, there exist today walk- through metal detectors having wheels which allow the meatal detec- tor to be wheeled away after everyone enters the school in the morn- ing. Still other metal detectors can actually fold up and can be easily transported inside a convenient carrying bag. Naturally the accuracy of a walkthrough metal detector is very important, but they’re even more effective when the metal detector is integrated with an access control system, like a turnstile. Even though a person may be autho- rized to access a turnstile, the metal detector can override the turn- stile if the authorized person has concealed metal on their person.
While mostly seen at airports, X-ray baggage scanners are now becoming remarkably affordable in commercial use. Airport passen- gers are well-accustomed to first placing their bags on an X-ray inspection scanner prior to the passenger entering the walkthrough metal detector. In high-crime neighborhoods, it’s advisable for schools to implement both metal detectors and X-ray baggage scan- ners if they wish to make certain no dangerous objects are brought into the school.
As with walkthrough metal detectors, X-ray baggage inspection devices serve as a terrific deterrence to ward off hostile people even thinking about entering the school with the sole purpose of enact- ing violence on staff and students. As with the parking lot access control system and walkthrough metal detector, it’s a good idea to have the X-ray baggage inspection device integrated with your access control system.
Identification
After the person’s vehicle is permitted access to the parking lot and the visitor has cleared the metal detector and X-ray baggage scanner, having them processed by an integrated visitor management system ensure both security and convenience. A huge gap in most visitor management systems (VMS) is allowing the visitor to choose how they wish to prove their identity. A school should not trust a visitor’s credentials.
The best way to ensure a visitor is authorized is by selecting a VMS system in which the host (i.e. school teacher, staff or principal) create the invitation electronically which then sends a unique QR code from the host’s cell phone or computer to the authorized visitor’s cell phone. In this manner, only the visitor with the host’s personalized QR code is admitted access to the school. This is also a terrific way to
By Larry Reed
ensure only the legal guardian of your students is permitted to take their child home from school.
Sadly, with divorce rates in the USA exceeding 50 percent, often only one of the parents has actual legal custody. Therefore, schools would be liable if allowing a parent lacking legal guardian status to take a child home. It is best to implement only VMS systems which guarantee the identity of visitors before allowing the visitor access to the school build- ing and students. As with the previous type layers of physical security described in this article, its preferable implementing a VMS which is integrated to your access control system (i.e. doors & turnstiles).
Today there exist very attractive optical turnstiles which can be used to control access and ensure unauthorized parties don’t sneak in after an authorized person accessing a door, often called tailgating. In past, turnstiles weren’t implemented because it created bottlenecks in high-traffic buildings. Students frantically searching for their access badges in their book bags and pockets could dramatically hold up the line. But today there are high-speed face recognition readers which allow students to pass through turnstiles almost as if there was no turnstile in their way.
Utilizing biometric credentials (fingerprint readers, face readers, palm readers and more) is a great way to avoid the security flaw of metal keys and plastic access badges, namely that these type of phys- ical credentials can be lost, stolen or forgotten. On the contrary, a person cannot lose or forget their finger or face. Face recognition is also the most convenient method to unlock a door or turnstile. With today’s face recognition technology, a person doesn’t even have to stop and stare into a camera. With some vendors face recognition technology, the person can often just continue walking while only a glimpse of their face is seen by the face recognition camera.
Access Control Management
Lastly, a school should utilize an access control management software which ties together all the above described security solutions. The software should be powerful yet easy to manage. Today there are many different types of access control software. Some software is “cloud-based” which requires no computers. However, the school needs to pay a monthly fee. Some schools may prefer not paying monthly and don’t mind installing the software on their computer and managing it themselves. A school should inquire with both their IT department and finance department before implementing any kind of access control software.
As mentioned, a great first place to start is by familiarizing yourself with the PASS guidelines. Afterwards, begin giving thought where your own school’s vulnerabilities primarily exist. Is it the parking lot? The playground? Are students sneaking in vape pens? Maybe you should install a few biometric readers to secure the computer room, office or even the teachers’ lounge.
If you don’t have the budget, there are plenty of financial firms with attractive leasing programs to help schools bridge the gap between budget seasons.
Bad guys never stop conspiring. Neither should you. You always need to stay one step ahead of them.
Larry Reed is the CEO of ZKTeco.
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