Page 54 - Security Today, May/June 2025

E M E R G I N G T E C H N O L O G I E S
HOW EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES ARE TRANSFORMING
THE SCHOOL SECURITY LANDSCAPE
B R A D C A R Y I S B U S I N E S S D E V E L O P M E N T M A N A G E R F O R E D U C AT I O N AT M I L E S T O N E S Y S T E M S .
S
tudents can’t focus on learning when they’re worried
about their safety. As education systems nationwide
face evolving security challenges with limited resources,
a new generation of integrated technology solutions is
helping schools create safer environments while maxi-
mizing staff efficiency.
These evolving challenges require sophisticated approaches
that go beyond traditional security measures. Today’s emerging
security technologies extend beyond conventional video cameras,
offering powerful tools that provide real-time insights and proac-
tive threat detection. At the heart of these solutions is the open
platform video management software (VMS), which serves as a
central hub connecting various smart devices and analytical tools.
automatically notify relevant personnel, display live video feeds,
and initiate appropriate response protocols.
C L O U D C O N N E C T I V I T Y E N H A N C E S F L E X I B I L I T Y A N D R E S P O N S E
Cloud-based and hybrid security solutions are also revolutioniz-
ing how schools approach video security. Recent improvements in
national data infrastructure, coupled with advances in video com-
pression and 5G wireless networks, have made cloud VMS options
both feasible and affordable. The benefits of cloud connectivity
extend far beyond simple remote access:
• Enhanced data sharing capabilities allow security teams
to instantly share video information with first responders during
emergencies
• Hybrid approaches combine on-premises equipment with
cloud resources, offering scalability without abandoning existing
investments
• Flexible payment models eliminate large upfront capital
expenditures, allowing schools to scale their security infrastructure
based on actual needs
• Infrastructure simplification reduces the need for extensive
server rooms and complex maintenance schedules
Cloud connectivity is transforming how security teams col-
laborate with first responders. The ability to instantly share video
data during emergencies enables faster and more coordinated
responses to security incidents. This real-time information shar-
ing can significantly improve outcomes during critical situations
by giving emergency personnel vital situational awareness before
they even arrive on scene.
B R I N G I N G I N T E L L I G E N C E T O V I D E O S E C U R I T Y
While most schools have basic video systems, these are often used
only after incidents occur. Today’s data-driven video technology
transforms this reactive approach into a proactive safety strategy.
Modern open platform VMS solutions can integrate with intelligent
video analytics to monitor, detect and classify objects and activities
in real time. Rather than replacing human judgment, these systems
serve as digital assistants, providing security teams and administrators
with critical information to make faster, better-informed decisions.
These tools act as a force multiplier, allowing security person-
nel to monitor larger spaces more effectively while remaining alert
to potential issues that require human intervention. AI-powered
systems can learn to recognize out-of-ordinary situations, such as
someone walking against normal traffic flow to objects left behind
or a person lying on the ground. When unusual activity is detected,
the system can immediately alert appropriate personnel via desk-
top computers, smartphones or other mobile devices.
While intelligent video systems provide visual insights, today’s
comprehensive security solutions extend beyond cameras alone.
The integration of specialized sensors at the edge of the network
significantly enhances a school’s security posture. These smart de-
vices serve as the eyes and ears of the security system, collecting
vital data from throughout the campus.
Multi-sensor devices offer an expanding
range of capabilities:
When connected to an open plat-
form VMS, these edge devices create
a comprehensive awareness network.
For example, when a keyword is de-
tected by an audio sensor, the VMS can
A H O L I S T I C A P P R O A C H T O S C H O O L S A F E T Y
The most effective school security strategies combine technology
with thoughtful policies and procedures. While advanced tools
provide powerful capabilities, their implementation must be part
of a comprehensive security plan that addresses the unique needs
and challenges of each campus.
Schools should consider privacy implications, obtain nec-
essary permissions, and ensure technology is used ethically and
responsibly. Transparent communication with students, parents,
and staff about the purpose and limitations of security technol-
ogy helps build trust and community support for these initiatives.
When properly integrated, these emerging technologies
empower schools to do more with less—maximizing the effective-
ness of security staff while creating learning environments where
students and teachers feel safe and protected.
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