Page 80 - Security Today, July/August 2024

COVER STORY: ACCESS CONTROL
With its very attractive price point, some universities might even consider facial identification as an alternative if they haven’t yet moved to mobile credentials. But it’s more likely that mobile is here to stay for the long haul with facial identification serving as an additional credential for special applications or circumstances.
Facial identification is also gaining traction for visitor management screening in K-12 and healthcare environments in particular. Parents, contractors, and others can “register” their faces in the system and then use the technology to be cleared to enter controlled spaces and authorized destinations.
Another level of access control that’s become increasingly integral, especially on college campuses, pertains to package delivery. Hundreds of thousands of packages flow into universities every year, and students want easy ways to pick them up. That’s why smart delivery lockers are now being incorporated into residence halls, libraries, and student stores. IT departments use them to issue loaner laptops, and athletic departments are considering how they can help enforce bag policies.
The student experience is seamless. When a package is in the locker, ready for pickup, a notification goes out via email, text, or
a smart locker app. The recipient approaches the locker with their phone, scans a QR code, and the locker door pops open to let them grab the package. Some campuses are even incorporating locker services into their mobile or school card credentials.
Additional innovative solutions are also being assessed right now for education environments, such as advanced AI for video surveillance that can help detect weapons, people in distress, vaping, and other disconcerting behavior within school buildings or on school property. Some are better suited for preventing or de-escalating threats at the parking lot and building perimeters, while others need further testing and pilot programs to confirm their efficacy.
Tightening access control, preempting danger, and making academic life safer, more enjoyable, and highly productive is an ongoing endeavor. Like learning itself, determining the right fit of solutions for school security is a journey, not a destination.
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