A Texas school district has applied a unified school security solution with a goal to increase video coverage and door monitoring while implementing a standardized modern intrusion system.

Earlier this month with Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District (CFBISD) implemented Genetec Security Center for video surveillance and access control and Bosch Security Systems for intrusion detection.

CFBISD provides schooling for 25,000 pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in the Dallas suburbs. The district is made up of 24 elementary schools, six middle schools, five high schools and three specialty program centers. The overhaul was the result of a three-year bond project to refurbish older buildings and update all security systems with the goal of increasing video coverage and door monitoring while implementing a standardized modern intrusion system.

Previously the school district had video surveillance, access control, intrusion and other security systems in place the technologies were managed separately, and integration between them wasn’t possible. This system slowed investigations and limited visibility of what was happening across the district. Device failures and limited security coverage in certain schools also left gaps in security.

“There was very little standardization across our schools and facilities,” said Daniel Robertson, senior security systems engineer at CFBISD. “We needed a more streamlined approach to security. The upgrade wasn’t only about investing in a new unified security solution. It was a complete change of mindset in how we secured our district.”

The Genetec-Bosch solution was recently deployed across 42 CFBISD sites, including most schools, administrative buildings, sports stadiums, transportation depots, service centers and other facilities. The system will manage nearly 2000 cameras, 50 door readers and 600 Bosch intrusion sensors with Bosch G series intrusion panels. There are also video intercoms setup at main entrances and the system will be used to manage more than 7,000 cardholders, streamlining activation/deactivation. CFBISD has given authorized school resources officers and district police chief administrative accounts, to help facilitate responses and keep all parties on the same page in the event of an emergency.