How Does an Access Control System Protect Schools?

At ASAP Security, we’re finding answers to important safety questions by talking with school staff, leading security experts, and government officials in our SECURED podcast. We’ve discussed the journey towards a national standard for K-12 security, the innovations in school safety, and the decline of Texas as a leader in mental health support. 

Today, one of the prominent security measures schools are taking is upgrading their access control measures. Here, we’ll explore some of the positive effects these systems have had on school campuses across the country and the best practices for integrating this first line of defense.

SEE ALSO: Customizing Your School’s Access Control with ASAP Security Services

Access Control Defined

The Access Control and Lockdown Survey by Campus Safety reported several security successes that schools experienced due to their access control system. An access control system is designed to limit access through electronically locked doors and secure touchless IDs. It allows only authorized individuals to enter school grounds. These systems utilize keycards, PINS, biometric scanners, and even facial recognition, ensuring that suspects are immediately flagged. 

This access control includes entrances and restricted areas of the school. The school can grant visitors temporary access and track their whereabouts based on video surveillance and areas they attempt to enter.

School Success Stories

A few of the incidents and practices schools reported include: 

• A playground supervisor decided to send students into the school due to nearby police activity. She used her ID card to enter, and once all the children were inside, she felt secure because the doors automatically locked as soon as they closed. This one action could have changed the outcome of some of the shooting events seen at schools.
• A school restricted access to the administrative building around the clock. They restricted access to academic buildings after hours.
• A school secured all exterior doors with access control, ensuring an immediate lockdown if warranted.
• When visitors found the main office door locked, they tried to find another entry. Speaking to them through the security camera’s two-way audio allowed school officials to direct them back to the front office to undergo screening protocol. 
• A school isolated an individual who had made it into the building by remotely locking interior doors.
• Teachers can initiate a lockdown right from their classroom.

And the list goes on.

Integrating an Access Control System in Your School 

At ASAP Security, we provide state-of-the-art security and surveillance solutions across the great state of Texas. These solutions include smart video surveillance, monitoring, gunshot detection, access control, fire alarms, and more. To learn more about access control for schools or to schedule an on-site survey, contact ASAP Security today.