Security Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Security Magazine logo
  • NEWS
    • Security Newswire
    • Technologies & Solutions
  • MANAGEMENT
    • Leadership Management
    • Enterprise Services
    • Security Education & Training
    • Logical Security
    • Security & Business Resilience
    • Profiles in Excellence
  • PHYSICAL
    • Access Management
    • Fire & Life Safety
    • Identity Management
    • Physical Security
    • Video Surveillance
    • Case Studies (Physical)
  • CYBER
    • Cybersecurity News
    • More
  • BLOG
  • COLUMNS
    • Cyber Tactics
    • Leadership & Management
    • Security Talk
    • Career Intelligence
    • Leader to Leader
    • Cybersecurity Education & Training
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Annual Guarding Report
    • Most Influential People in Security
    • The Security Benchmark Report
    • The Security Leadership Issue
    • Top Guard and Security Officer Companies
    • Top Cybersecurity Leaders
    • Women in Security
  • SECTORS
    • Arenas / Stadiums / Leagues / Entertainment
    • Banking/Finance/Insurance
    • Construction, Real Estate, Property Management
    • Education: K-12
    • Education: University
    • Government: Federal, State and Local
    • Hospitality & Casinos
    • Hospitals & Medical Centers
    • Infrastructure:Electric,Gas & Water
    • Ports: Sea, Land, & Air
    • Retail/Restaurants/Convenience
    • Transportation/Logistics/Supply Chain/Distribution/ Warehousing
  • EVENTS
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Solutions by Sector
    • Security 500 Conference
  • MEDIA
    • Videos
      • Cybersecurity & Geopolitical Discussion
      • Ask Me Anything (AMA) Series
    • Podcasts
    • Polls
    • Photo Galleries
  • MORE
    • Call for Entries
    • Classifieds & Job Listings
    • Continuing Education
    • Newsletter
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • This Month's Content
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
Physical SecurityEducation: K-12

How to Improve School Security with Limited Budget

By Julie Brown
k12_900
January 15, 2019

School security plays a crucial role in supporting the intellectual, social, physical and emotional growth of students. A protected environment allows students to learn and engage with each other without the fear of potential risks, thus making it critical for school officials to regularly assess and improve their security approach. However, as many school districts face limited funding, it can be difficult to see past budget restraints when trying to address security issues. By identifying areas of improvement, school officials can develop a security plan and act on it in order to better protect their environment without breaking the bank.

 

Stick to Security Fundamentals

With the growing number of active shooter events happening in schools, it is easy for school officials to get caught up in researching and wanting gunshot detection technologies. However, these solutions are not an ideal starting point for institutions that need to increase security efforts on a limited budget. Instead, school officials should address security basics first such as making sure there is a single point of entry, a visitor sign-in system and that all doors are locked at appropriate times throughout the day.

These fundamentals are typically more affordable and are important to have in place as the backbone for more sophisticated technology.

In the example of active shooter technology, the technology can be hampered if traditional security systems, like access control, aren’t installed. In fact, advanced technologies can be easier and less expensive to implement in the future if the proper security building blocks are set in place.

 

Integration Within Budget

Once a school has a solid security foundation, systems integration should be the next step school officials should consider. A comprehensive security approach can help achieve faster response time to threats and eventually reduce costs. For instance, if systems are connected in the event of a potential intruder once a panic button is pressed the right doors are locked for the situation, students and teachers are alerted via an intercom system, and law enforcement is notified. With siloed systems, each safety protocol would happen separately, meaning slower response times and putting the school at greater risk.

A common misconception is that an integrated security approach takes additional funding. However, a security systems integrator can help plan, implement and manage a connected security strategy all while staying within budget and sometimes even save money. An integrator can look at current security technologies, find ways to consolidate systems and add news ones if necessary. This takes pressure off of school officials and helps reduce risk. Most of all, the integration of security systems means that schools end up buying and supporting less technology, ultimately lowering costs while increasing safety.

School officials can run education programs on how the new integrated system works with faculty and students. This can allow students to have better peace of mind and concentrate on their studies, while teachers and staff can work more comfortably knowing the learning environment is protected. With an integrated security system, school officials can focus more time on improving other areas of the school and less time worrying about safety hazards.

 

 

 

KEYWORDS: active shooter school security security budgets security risk management security systems integrator security technology threat assessment

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Julie Brown, Institutional Market Leader, Johnson Controls

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security magazine's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024 award...
    Cybersecurity
    By: Security Staff
  • cyber brain

    The intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is a valuable cybersecurity...
    Columns
    By: Pam Nigro
  • artificial intelligence AI graphic

    Assessing the pros and cons of AI for cybersecurity

    Artificial intelligence (AI) has significant implications...
    Cybersecurity
    By: Charles Denyer
Manage My Account
  • Security eNewsletter & Other eNews Alerts
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Online Registration
  • Mobile App
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Security audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Security or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Crisis Response Team
    Sponsored byEverbridge

    Automate or Fall Behind – Crisis Response at the Speed of Risk

  • Perimeter security
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Why Property Security is the New Competitive Advantage

Popular Stories

Coding

AI Emerges as the Top Concern for Security Leaders

Half open laptop

“Luigi Was Right”: A Look at the Website Sharing Data on More Than 1,000 Executives

Shopping mall

Victoria’s Secret Security Incident Shuts Down Website

Laptop with coding on ground

Stepping Into the Light: Why CISOs Are Replacing Black-Box Security With Open-Source XDR

Gift cards and credit cards

Why Are Cyberattacks Targeting Retail? Experts Share Their Thoughts

2025 Security Benchmark banner

Events

June 24, 2025

Inside a Modern GSOC: How Anthropic Benchmarks Risk Detection Tools for Speed and Accuracy

For today's security teams, making informed decisions in the first moments of a crisis is critical.

July 17, 2025

Tech in the Jungle: Leveraging Surveillance, Access Control, and Technology in Unique Environments

From animal habitats to bustling crowds of visitors, a zoo is a one-of-a-kind environment for deploying modern security technologies.

View All Submit An Event

Products

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

See More Products

Related Articles

  • edu5-900px.jpg

    'Alyssa's Law' to Improve School Security Signed into Law

    See More
  • The Vision Academy at Riverside, located in Indianapolis, is a Community Charter Network school that provides tuition-free, college preparatory education to more than 250 students.

    Fla. Department of Education Announces Tool to Improve School Threat Assessments

    See More
  • school security ipads

    Florida Man Walks into School with Pocket Knife to ‘Test School Security’

    See More

Events

View AllSubmit An Event
  • September 19, 2024

    Mastering the Fundamentals: Mitigation, Prevention, and Response to Violence

    ON DEMAND: Organizations face a plethora of threats, including altercations, overdoses, robberies, intruders, angry clientele, and active shooters. Mastering the fundamentals of safety is key to reducing all forms of violence and disruption, not only in the K-12 space but in other industries as well.  
View AllSubmit An Event
×

Sign-up to receive top management & result-driven techniques in the industry.

Join over 20,000+ industry leaders who receive our premium content.

SIGN UP TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing