Page 70 - Security Today, March/April 2023

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of their video management system’s motion detection and heat mapping features. Nor- mally inactive during school hours, his team activated the sensors to locate those shelter- ing in place so rescuers could find and com- fort them after the danger was over. That feature would have also allowed the security team to track any other perpetrators on the premises if that had been the case.
This is just one example of the insight and experience that PASS experts offer schools as part of the effort to create better learning environments where students and teachers feel comfortable, safe, and confident enough to truly thrive. Grace added, “Robust school security also goes a long way in retaining tal- ented educators.”
In addition, PASS Guidelines help school districts make their case for grants to fund security improvements. The guidelines and related publications and presentations also provide a valuable resource for reassuring parents and communities about school dis- trict preparedness and the advanced security measures being considered, implemented, and enforced.
What’s Current
Before touching on some of the changes slat- ed for the upcoming sixth edition, let’s look at the Essential Concepts in the PASS Guide- lines. As you explore them online, you’ll see they center around physical security and life safety. They address the organizational struc- ture of school districts through layers to form a holistic view of security. Note that the Guidelines’ recommendations are limited to related policies, procedures, equipment, and technology. The Guidelines do not address every risk and every situation, and they do
not include product-specific, provider-spe- cific, or brand-specific recommendations.
PASS Guidelines use four fundamental concepts to help schools evaluate and priori- tize their approaches to safety and security: • Layers: the five physical layers shown in the
image
• Components: protective elements within
each layer
• Best Practices: recommended safety &
security measures within components
• Tiers: each best practice is ranked on a tiered continuum from 1 to 4; the higher the tier number, the higher level of
increased protection
Each successive layer provides specific
safety and security components to deter, detect, or delay adversarial behaviors in the event a layer is bypassed or breached. They focus on the following elements:
• Policies and Procedures
• People (roles and training) • Communication
• Architectural
• Access Control
• Video Surveillance
• Detection and Alarms
• Transportation
• Cybersecurity
• Network Infrastructure
• Visitor Management
Grace emphasized, “All of us are dealing with all the layers of protection on any given day. There aren’t one-size-fits-all solutions. Each district will address its perimeters in different ways, depending on its budget, per- ceived risks, and a range of other factors.”
What’s Coming
Here’s what Grace says to expect in the soon-
struction and major remodels
• More information on enhanced solutions in
cybersecurity
• Greater emphasis on implementing open
architecture solutions versus proprietary to ease adoption of evolving physical and cybersecurity advancements and avoid obsolescence
• Why security should be viewed as a life safety measure, just as fire codes are
As a passionate PASS Partner, ASSA ABLOY and its Academy will be conducting training throughout the country to help edu- cate school districts on the new PASS Guide- lines soon after they’re released.
Grace added that PASS will continue to provide training to vendor organizations. “If you’re a PASS Partner, there will be different training scenarios available, conducted by PASS volunteers who can come to your com- pany to provide in-person training on the various levels, tiers, and parameters. These sessions are also an opportunity to discuss what could be on the horizon.”
In the meantime, be sure to check out all that PASS currently offers, not only with its free Guidelines and Checklist, but also through the plethora of PASS white papers and other rich content that are available for free on its website. Along with its success as a prolific resource, it’s impressive how well PASS has continued to sus- tain itself on such impassioned volunteerism and support from its partners. Pass it on!
Ron Baer is the Director of Business Develop- ment, K–12, with ASSA ABLOY.
to-be-released 6th Edition of the PASS Safety and Security Guidelines for K–12 Schools:
• A streamlined, more easily digestible format
•
• •
More specific guidance for securing schools properly
More toolkits and training resources Consolidated messaging elevating the baseline for school security with updates to tiering:
- Tiers 1 & 2 will provide a better balance between security and budgeting for retro- fit applications
- Tier 1 will state that, at a bare minimum, classroom doors must have appropriate locking hardware where the exterior lever can be locked with a key from either side of the door while maintaining free egress; lock status indicators also recommended
- Tier 2 will now introduce access control
- Tiers 3 & 4 will feature solutions that are more of an ideal state for new school con-
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