Pursuing higher education shouldn’t be a safety-threatening experience. However, as geopolitical conflicts grow, tensions can rise on campuses and contribute to feelings of vulnerability.

For security leaders tasked with protecting universities, students, faculty and staff, understanding how to mitigate risks and foster a sense of safety is essential. Danielle Weddepohl, Director of Public Safety and Emergency Management at George Brown College in Toronto, has valuable insights on the subject of campus protection.

How to mitigate campus security risks

In order to mitigate campus security threats, security professionals must have a fuller understanding of the threats universities face. No matter how far the geographical distance between a conflict and a campus, these global issues can still impact universities.

“Complex world events have a huge impact on a person’s sense of safety, belonging, wellness, and over-all mental and physical health,” Weddepohl states. “We have to think critically about environmental and political events that may not have been a concern before.”

Managing these seemingly distant geopolitical conflicts while on campus can be a challenge. However, though effective partnerships, it can be done.

“Preemptive partnership building is key — whether it’s discussing trends in security with local businesses and other academic institutions, forming community liaison groups with emergency responders and other community-based stakeholders, or building a relationship with people in your own organization who won’t hesitate to call you if they need help,” Weddepohl says.

How to make campus feel safe

Mitigating threats is a top priority for university security teams. Yet, it’s not the only priority.

Campuses cannot just be safe, they must also feel safe. Students, faculty and staff deserve to be a part of a university community that feels safe, not vulnerable.

“Weaving safety into daily life, increasing the approachability of your security team, and training your team in customer service and de-escalation are the keys to create a safe and welcoming environment,” Weddepohl advises. “Safety reminders should be embedded into daily life, not just through signage or bulletins when there is an issue, but through learning opportunities. By offering reminders in meetings and orientations, promoting technology like a safety alert app, setting up booths at orientation events, highlighting security guarding staff achievements, and engaging in friendly conversations in your buildings, security leaders can make campus feel safe.”

Weaving safety into daily life, increasing the approachability of your security team, and training your team in customer service and de-escalation are the keys to create a safe and welcoming environment.”

Unlike other sectors, universities have a unique asset: the students.

“Safety is a cool topic, and students are eager to know how things work on the technological front or to help their peers and communities,” Weddepohl remarks. “We are incredibly lucky in the post-secondary education sector since many academic institutions have fantastic public safety and emergency management programs where students keep safety top of mind for us. Students are the best safety ambassadors.”

Protect campus security professionals, too

The safety of students, faculty and staff is a top priority for campus security teams. So is the well-being of the teams themselves.

“Some of your days might feel like you’re untangling a ball of necklaces, and other days you set out to work on a project and an emergency strikes,” Weddepohl explains. “So, you need to be kind to yourself and preempt certain difficulties.”

When it comes to geopolitical conflict, Weddepohl suggests security leaders keep up-to-date with current events so they’re not taken off guard.

“Stay on top of world events and really think through the local implications of those events,” Weddepohl says. “Think about the planning, response and support strategies that could ensue, and ask yourself: do you have the right mix of specialists on your team to navigate those complex situations?”

Likewise, Weddepohl emphasizes the importance of mental health supports for security professionals.

“Ensure that security staff are treated well — they are knowledgeable, resourceful, intuitive, and often have unique skills in languages, technology or other tradecraft. They absorb information on every topic under the sun and represent your organization when you aren’t there.” Weddepohl adds, “There also needs to be consistent, current and frequent learning opportunities for security teams not only to support the organization, but also to think through your staff’s future in the industry. Think about how you can elevate a person’s profile or broaden their industry opportunities though small gestures, like inviting them to events, helping them prepare for interviews, or recommending them for a speaking engagement or job opportunities.”

Security professionals should rely on networks

While each campus safety experience may be different, there is one thing all security professionals should take advantage of: support from their network.

Weddepohl says, “We are all on the same team when it comes to safety. Share information where you can with other departments to reduce duplication or gaps in knowledge. Provide information to other institutions for environmental scanning or process development. Don’t be a stranger to neighboring businesses and engage as much as possible with your community. This is an industry that relies on close connections and collaborations — and we need each other.”