Feature

School Security Systems Industry

With the growing number of schools in the United States with video surveillance, electronic access control and other traditional security systems, the number of potential ‘greenfield’ projects for suppliers falls. Declining numbers of new security system installations will lead to slowing market growth over the next five years.

Even so, security manufacturers are looking to implement the following new security technologies to improve school safety, which would also help reignite market growth.


HIGHLIGHTS

  • The education sector of the market for security equipment and services reached $2.7 billion in revenue in 2017. As most schools have already implemented surveillance systems and access control systems, the market is expected to grow an average of just 1 percent annually, reaching $2.8 billion by 2021.
  • According to survey data from the National Center for Education Statistics, the proportion of schools deploying video surveillance systems has risen from 20 percent in 1999 to over 70 percent in 2013. Likewise, the proportion of schools actively controlling the entrances to their buildings has risen from 75 percent to over 90 percent.
  • Despite advancements in the level of security used on school premises, the number mass shootings at US schools has remained relatively constant throughout the past 30 years. When looking specifically at secondary schools, the number of mass shootings has reached an unprecedented high in the past five years.
  • New technologies are currently being investigated to improve safety at schools, including facial recognition, logical and physical security identity management integration and high security classroom doors.

Facial recognition technology

Many of the video surveillance systems currently used in schools are not actively monitored and also lack any form of effective automated response. Adoption of facial recognition technology would allow the surveillance system to proactively search for potential threats and alert school administrators and security staff about unrecognized individuals in the building.

Unfortunately, affordable facial recognition technologies are often unable to adequately recognize the number of faces in a typical school; plus, these systems can place a large strain on a school’s information technology network.

Logical and physical security identity management integration

Integrating the school’s access control database with a higher authority logical database – for example, a student directory – would allow the access rights of former staff, and students who have been expelled or already graduated, to be removed automatically.

However, access control providers may find it difficult to get permission to access student records and other sensitive data. Education administrators may also be uncomfortable with possibly creating a potential avenue of cyberattack.

High-security classroom doors with multipoint looking systems

Higher-grade doors would create a far more effective barrier between students and potential attackers, creating numerous safe spaces throughout the building in emergencies.

It’s also true, though, that purchasing thousands of doors would be expensive. Fire regulations often dictate that key entrances and exits remain fail-safe during emergencies. Locking and unlocking doors multiple times would also disrupt teaching.

Weapons checks using metal detectors or x-ray machines at school entrances

Using metal detectors or x-ray machines at entrances along the school perimeter makes bringing weapons into the school much more difficult. However, schools often have multiple entrances, which means each school would require multiple detectors or x-ray machines – both of which are expensive. The school would also need to hire additional security staff to operate each machine. Securing entrances in this manner would also mean long queues would form after breaks and lunchtime, reducing the free time of students and staff.

Access Control Intelligence Service

Entering its fourth full year, the IHS Markit Access Control Intelligence Service provides primary analysis of the equipment market, plus thorough investigation of key technology trends affecting the industry. Current topics of focus include: mobile access, logical and physical identity management integration, adoption of biometric technology and security system convergence.


Jim-Dearing_IHS

By Jim Dearing

Security and Building Technologies, Senior Analyst, IHS Markit


 

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