Organizations often engage a security consultant to perform a risk assessment for high-risk facilities and high-value asset protection. Some school systems have the available budget for a consultant-performed risk assessment while others do not. Often, a high-performance security solution integrator can offer insight into what is needed to best secure students, staff, and assets. This specialized expertise comes from years of experience in securing education campuses and buildings. It also is possible given the technology knowledge base the integrator possesses.
In this two-part series we will discuss the benefits and process of a facility risk audit as well as what happens after the audit. After all, most security systems are designed and installed following an incident, and less often consider future unforeseen incidents.
Expectations
When engaging a security integrator to perform an audit, it is important to first vet the company thoroughly. While virtually every security company can provide a parts list based on the project you have already outlined, most will fall short of asking to perform a comprehensive site visit and audit in advance of delivering your project-based parts list.
The integrator’s ability to realize, define, document, and deliver a solution based on their own audit can be priceless. The school administration team may realize the common issues like fights in the hallway or problems in the cafeteria, however most are not as aware of the risk of propped open doors, delays in bus lanes by unauthorized cars blocking the buses, protection of the expensive turf field, and security of playgrounds and parking lots.
They will also involve not just the school resource officer, but also teachers, facility managers, student leaders, IT department, and other stakeholders. By involving all stakeholders in the audit process, the integrator will be properly positioned to recommend the appropriate comprehensive plan for the security program. Gathering their concerns and intimate knowledge of the facility and its infrastructure is invaluable when designing a solution.
Considerations about the financing of the program are also invaluable. Determining the project or program budget will determine how advanced the systems are, whether they will be financed or paid in full, installed over a timeline of years versus months, etc. The audit may in fact uncover other IT or facility infrastructure projects that need to be designed and implemented prior to the security systems being installed. For example, the school system’s IT department may require an entirely dedicated hardware network for the security camera system depending on the number of cameras to be installed and the resulting bandwidth required. Storage appliances will need appropriate rack space, cooling, and power backup. These considerations should all be part of the comprehensive audit performed by the selected integration company partner.
The net result of all these components of the audit will be a presentation of the recommended plan. Then it’s time to prepare deliver the results of the audit. We cover that in the next part of this 2-Part series.
Your School Security Partner
For 50 years, Pro-Tec Design has been consulting, designing, installing, and maintaining security solutions for large and small K-12 school districts, higher education campuses, and other scholastic organizations. We protect people, data, and assets, ensuring learning continuity.
Allow Pro-Tec Design to engineer a customized solution to support your education system’s unique operations and security needs.
Looking to modernize your campus security?
We developed a security buyer's guide for educational campuses. If you're a facility director or responsible for your school's security, then download this resource to learn about modernizing your campus, including:
- Intrusion Detection
- Video Surveillance Solutions
- Access Control
- Visitor Management
- Other security considerations sush as: Gun shot detection systems, and video analytics
