enforcement alerts before the district issues a time-limited pass, says Perry. Data on individual visitors is saved on the network, making it possible to track their movements in the district over time.
Perry and his staff are exploring automated lockdown and alert systems, and they’ll continue to look for other technologies that will harden security, he says.
“We want all the tools we can get that will keep our students and staff safe,” says Perry.
MORE FROM EDTECH: Check out how biometrics may yield cybersecurity benefits in K–12 schools.
Multipronged Approach Keeps K–12 Districts Alert in Zionsville
In Indiana, Zionsville Community Schools deploys IP-enabled cameras and a video security system to cover the interior and exterior of its eight school buildings, says CTO Daniel Layton. The security system provides alert notifications to reduce response time to incidents and detects unusual movements of people or vehicles.
Beyond the camera system and a card-controlled entry system, the district takes a “multipronged approach” to students’ physical safety that includes monitoring some of their cyber activities, Layton says.
The district uses Lightspeed Systems web content filtering software as a crucial part of protecting students. The software also provides a reporting feature so that members of the school community can note any troubling situation or behavior.
“We have technology in place to alert us to crises and communicate with the students, staff and outside agencies, but we try not to think just in the context of active shooters — there are so many other factors that have an impact on well-being,” he says. “We have internet filters in place so an alert pops up if it detects a suspicious search. We want to know if a student is thinking about self-harm or harming others so we can give the appropriate support or intervention they need.”