Why Access Control Systems are the Best Way to Stop School Intruders in Their Tracks
If you're worried about intruders getting into your classrooms, an access control system is the best way to stop them. Here are 3 ways one of these systems will help you keep staff, students and facilities safe from harm, theft and vandalism.
You Can Monitor Every Entrance Instantly
One of the best ways to keep intruders from getting into your school is to monitor every entrance during the school day. Of course, without employing dozens of security professionals, it's impossible to monitor them all in person. That's where an access control system comes in. You can have a system installed that will allow you to keep track of all entrances from one central location (your receptionist's office, for example). With a comprehensive system, you'll be able to view surveillance footage of every door, get notified if a door that's supposed to be locked is left open, instantly respond to door alarms and lock down specific doors if necessary. This will allow you to spot the presence of an intruder immediately, rather than only noticing them when it's too late.
You Can Lock Down Areas Immediately
The aforementioned lockdown feature that many access control systems include is worth mentioning in its own right. When a dangerous intruder enters your premises, the most important thing you need to do is stop them from getting to your staff and students. Generally, the protocol at most schools is to for students and teachers to barricade themselves in a classroom if they're unable to leave the building. However, this is often easier said than done. It's hard for teachers to focus on locking doors when they're trying to keep track of scared students, and this process doesn't stop an intruder from moving around the building, evading detection. With an access control system, you can lock down doors (both individually and on a school-wide level) with the click of a button. This ensures intruders can't get into your classrooms and makes it easier for teachers to keep everyone calm and under control. It can also keep an intruder closed off into one room or wing of the building, as well as making it easier to find them by ensuring they can't hide in empty classrooms.
You Can Log Whereabouts With Access Cards
There are two main types of intruders in schools: those who are prohibited from entering any part of the building and those who are allowed in the building but should not enter specific rooms. The latter group is made up of staff and students and is frequently responsible for theft and vandalism on site. Access controls help you control this type of intrusion using key cards. When your access control system is installed, you can have every door fitted with an electronic lock that can only be opened with an access card. You can then limit access to certain rooms or wings for staff and students separately or even allow access based on age, gender or individual privileges. This allows you to stop students from entering store rooms, keep kids out of classrooms during certain times or stop boys from entering girl's changing rooms—and these are just a few examples. You can also use this system to log who entered a specific room in the event of theft or vandalism. If computer gear goes missing and the only person to enter the room that day was a specific teacher, you can instantly narrow your pool of suspects. Access cards are a far more secure system than keys because they can be electronically monitored and instantly deactivated if lost.