Find news and information for the executive corporate security director, CSO, facility manager and assets protection manager on issues of policy, products, incidents, risk management, threat assessments and preparedness.
Issue link: http://sdi.epubxp.com/i/172392
SPECIAL FOCUS K-12 SECURITY Beck: The only way to be successful in the education market is to be a total solutions provider. You must be able to design, install and maintain intrusion, access, intercom, CCTV, IP video. Clients want a total solution "A total solutions approach which highlights risk mitigation, staff workfow and ease of administration is a good starting point." — Jim Fairbanks, SiteSecure provider. But you have to have a level of expertise with good common sense solutions. You cannot cookie-cutter or one-sizefits-all in this market. Fairbanks: A total solutions approach which highlights risk mitigation, staff workflow and ease of administration is a good starting point in working with school administrators, procurement and safety departments. Is there a difference between the K-12 market and higher education? What is different or the same? Olivares: There is definitely more money available in the higher education market than K-12, so higher education can obtain higher-end security equipment and systems. K-12 is more of a standalone system then "Recent events have boosted demand for safety of students and staff. The demand is there, but not all schools have the budget in place to get what they want." — Henry Olivares, APL Access & Security Inc. a higher education. For example, a college campus requires more integration with students and their building access, dorm access and the access card they use for access 26 control. That card has to be able to provide university credentials and is used like a debit card for school supplies and meals. We are still learning. We are trying to further tap into the education market as currently it is a very small percentage of our revenue. Fairbanks: K-12 typically does not view technology deployment cost, system sustainability and technology end-of-life issues as critical in the procurement decision process. In higher education, these concepts are much more widely accepted and understood. Beck: Most clients have multiple building or campus situations, so you have similar protection issues. But each building or campus will house different age groups. With that you have different issues. You still need to lock down on command, and you have ingress issues during operational hours. The issues are the same after hours: intrusion detection, surveillance and after-hours issues. What is one of the first things to do when approaching any education market prospect? Fairbanks: Ask questions to understand the prospect's pain and risk points. Beck: Listen to their needs. Be realistic in your approach both in system design and budget considerations. Olivares: Listen to their needs. Users want a total solution that is easy to use and administer. Overall, what are end-users looking for in this vertical market? Have recent events boosted demand for certain products? Beck: Recent events have made these solutions critical. Schools want a total solution that is easy to use and administer. End-users are looking for ways to secure the building, control ingress and identify who is at the door. They need to slow down aggressors and let responders know what they are going to encounter. Olivares: Recent events have boosted demand for safety of students and staff. The demand is www.SecurityInfoWatch.com | SD&I; | September 2013