Security cameras are a popular strategy for school safety – and for good reason. With school security and student safety being more important than ever, the many advances in video surveillance technology deliver a host of benefits. They bring critical visibility to the campus, helping security professionals remain vigilant in these incredibly complex environments.

Many campuses place heavy emphasis on keeping pace with technology in the classroom. However, as the school year ramps up, consider other avenues through which technology can refine the student experience. This year, help inspire some peace of mind among students and faculty with the next generation of digital security cameras.

Safety Is More Important Than Ever

School campuses represent some of the most difficult environments to monitor and protect. They consist of multiple buildings, with countless halls, offices, and closets – all of which receive significant traffic every day. This environment is naturally attractive to criminals and opportunists. Some of the many situations for which school security professionals need to prepare include:

● Fights or altercations between students or staff

● Cyber attacks or unauthorized use of network resources

● Trespassers

● Individuals with violent intentions

● Disease outbreaks

School security is a serious concern which requires the thoughtful deployment of strategies and technologies to address. Digital security cameras can help with this. Here’s how.

The Next Generation of Security Cameras

These days, security cameras are nothing like the stereotypes we believe them to be. These fully integrated, digital devices are capable of delivering crystal-clear images plus advanced tracking capabilities. However, they’re still one of the most rapidly advancing areas of security technology. Innovators like Mobotix are developing cameras with an increasingly impressive array of features. Some of the most advanced surveillance cameras are capable of:

1. Thermal Imaging

Thought heat-sensing cameras were only a thing in the movies? Think again. Today, the technology is not just possible but completely practical and accessible. Thermography is useful for a range of uses, including finding people who are hiding or missing, or spotting animals in dark spaces. Likewise, some schools are adopting the long-standing TSA strategy of using thermal imaging to identify flight passengers with fevers. With dual imaging, schools can quickly spot and identify students.

2. Machine Learning with Deep Analytics

Machine learning is the ability of a program to teach itself about patterns of behavior based on data which is fed to it. For cameras, this means quickly learning the natural flow of traffic in an area to make it easier to distinguish when too many or too few people are in a space. Surveillance camera providers like Mobotix leverage such technology to automate monitoring and make it easier for professionals to focus on the things which truly need a human eye.

3. Decentralized Tech with Smart Integration

The most advanced surveillance cameras, like those by Mobotix, are self-contained, self-managing systems which don’t require extra storage or centralized systems to manage. That makes the security environment significantly more scalable as schools discover where they need additional cameras. Smart integration ensures that each of the cameras can communicate with the school’s native security infrastructure, saving time and money while reducing infrastructure development.

Benefits of Security Cameras in Schools

Digital security cameras have many benefits for schools. Campuses considering the introduction of security cameras may also benefit from:

● Increased visibility in remote areas. Many campuses have extensive and remote parking lots away from the main buildings. Security cameras can help maintain visibility in these areas to more quickly alert drivers when a parking lot is full, or vehicles without permits are parked there.

● The ability to identify sick individuals. Thermal cameras are now so advanced that they’re able to spot people with a fever. Help prevent the spread of contagious illnesses with thermal imaging.

● Spotting problems before they happen. Security cameras can help spot accidents waiting to happen or situations which may turn violent, improving the ability of campus police to respond before there is a problem.

● Reduced insurance costs. Cameras may help reduce insurance premiums by providing evidence of incidents – or proof they never happened.

● Crime deterrence. Research indicates that visible surveillance cameras can help deter crime by creating the perception that a perpetrator is more likely to get caught.

● An integrated security environment. Today’s security cameras are fully digital pieces of equipment which integrate with the rest of a security environment. Campuses can create a seamless surveillance environment which improves overall security.

DSI Is a Trusted Provider for Top-Shelf Security Solutions

The rise of modern technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and thermal imaging has made digital security cameras a valuable part of the security strategy for education institutions. Implementing them brings many benefits, including the ability to respond more quickly to situations before they become a crisis. With security being more important than ever, campus security professionals need every advantage they can get to create a safe environment.

DSI is a trusted provider for top-shelf security solutions for schools in New Mexico. Reach out today to learn more about how we can help you create a safe, premier education experience on your campus.