Yes, Your Campus Can Have Safety and Privacy

When colleges enlist the help of a trusted integrator to implement protective measures, they can improve security while safeguarding personal information.

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Yes, Your Campus Can Have Safety and Privacy

Institutions of higher learning across the nation are working hard to improve security. Now more than ever, colleges are adopting video surveillance technology, access control solutions, emergency notification systems and more. There’s a very good reason for this; these technologies work.

The solutions implemented might be as simple as installing locks on classroom doors so students and faculty can quickly lockdown and shelter in place during an emergency. They could be mass notification systems that enable campus administrators to disseminate potentially life-saving information to students on campus. Or, they could be security camera systems that provide campus or local law enforcement with the evidence they need to apprehend suspects.

In addition to these and many other public safety advantages, security technologies often have built-in features that protect privacy. For example, most solutions that are connected to the network use encryption so that only authorized individuals can operate them. Many security cameras can also mask certain areas that are considered inappropriate for viewing, such as a dorm room window. Additionally, campuses can ensure the privacy of students, faculty, staff and visitors by avoiding the deployment of security cameras in areas where there is an expectation of privacy, such as restrooms.

Before and during the implementation of most security technologies, it is important for campus protection professionals to educate students, faculty, staff and administrators about the proposed technology.

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Questions that should be addressed include:

Why is it being deployed?
How will (and won’t) it be used?
What can (and can’t) the new solution accomplish?
How will privacy be protected?

Other steps campuses can take to ensure privacy include:

Developing policies on the appropriate use of security technology
Limiting system access to authorized personnel only
Training staff on the technology’s proper use
Having a robust cyber-security program

By talking with a trusted security integrator, institutions of higher education can determine what actions need to be taken so that privacy concerns are addressed.

STANLEY Security partners with colleges and universities to develop customized security programs for their campuses. By developing functional standards across the campus, a cohesive security program can be put in place that also protects privacy.

There are many electronic security solutions available for all areas of a college or university. For example, STANLEY Security frequently provides the following systems to its higher education clients:

Access Control Systems
Video Surveillance Cameras and Video Monitoring
Intrusion Alarm Systems
Standards Development & Strategic Planning
Software Support, Consultation and Integration
Personal Safety and Security Response Mobile Apps
Panic Buttons for Classrooms and Staff
Mass Notification and Emergency Communication
Lock Down Solutions
Custom System Integration
Fire Alarm Systems, and Regular Tests and Inspections
24 Hour UL and ULC Monitoring Services
System Consultation, Design and Installation
Preventive Maintenance and Service Plans

For more information on the solutions you can implement on your campus, or for educational resources on improving your security program, visit STANLEY Security at http://stanleycss.com/higher-ed.

Stanley Security

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