The Importance of AI in School Security Systems

Kevin Davis, J.D., CPP, Assistant Director of Public Safety, impressed the importance of AI-driven video analytics in school safety measures in a recent SECURED podcast by ASAP Security Services. 

Davis pointed out the lack of school resources and the inability to hire the necessary number of guards to offer a proactive security environment. Advanced video analytics can help strengthen this missing element, proactively mitigating risks and contributing to enhanced security. 

Here, we’ll explore the role of AI in protecting schools by integrating it into school security systems.

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AI in Video Surveillance

As Davis said, schools often have limited resources. Oftentimes, they cannot invest in multiple security personnel walking the halls or sufficient staff to watch video surveillance feeds 24/7. 

AI can support these challenges by overseeing school grounds as well as or even better than humans. One area of AI gaining ground is AI for weapon detection. This technology integrates with existing video surveillance systems and uses computer vision to interpret and comprehend visual data. A deep learning model trains it to recognize a vast number of weapons, including knives, handguns, and semi-automatics. When it detects a weapon, it immediately sends an alert to security and administrators. 

AI is also used in video surveillance to spot unusual occurrences. It can detect aggressive behavior or a crowd beginning to form. Early warning sent via push notifications ensures school personnel can respond before the situation gets out of hand. 

AI in Access Control

Access control plays a central role in protecting students and staff. When the security system determines a potential threat, it turns to access control to limit intruders' access to school grounds. While video surveillance tracks their whereabouts, the access control system locks the suspect out of populated school zones, such as classrooms, offices, gymnasiums, and cafeterias. 

AI as a Proactive Security Response

School security is all too often a reactive measure designed to lessen any damage. In the corporate world, businesses are leaning toward proactive measures that stop a crime or prevent an injury before it occurs. 

Enhancing proactive measures at schools requires using the latest technology to spot a threat and a person intending harm before they take action. AI is proving to be one of the strongest influences in recognizing danger and heading it off or keeping it contained. 

At ASAP Security Services, we developed the SECURED Podcast to create a space for security experts, school administrators, and legislators to discuss the challenges and possible solutions facing schools and the security issues they face. 

These comprehensive security strategies are aimed at anticipating and preventing catastrophic events from occurring. Some of the recent topics we’ve addressed include Building an Effective Behavioral Threat Assessment Team, the Effectiveness of Proactive Observation, and Schools Must Be Ready to Act in Seconds, an episode calling for a shift toward proactive security measures in schools. 

To learn more about the changing face of school security systems or to schedule a complimentary consultation, contact ASAP Security Services today.