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/103910
SECURITYWATCH and president of Security-Net said he hopes the event will motivate existing customers to examine their current security to identify possible areas that may require enhancements. "I suspect that public entities such as schools will formulate committees to examine areas of vulnerability and look to identify measures that would forestall the potential reoccurrence such as the one that just occurred." Liguori said perimeter security is also a consideration. "You have to evaluate the viability of each level of potential protection as it pertains to the specific aspects of the individual building and how they operate. Access control is an excellent measure and the advent of more sophisticated wireless locking mechanisms makes this application more affordable allowing for more extensive penetration." Dan Moceri, chairman and chief executive officer, Convergint Technologies LLC, Schaumburg, Ill., said the industry definitely learns from tragedies such as these and moves to improve security measures. "We have seen requests to evaluate security particularly as it relates to managing access to a building. One request actually came from a concerned parent," Moceri commented. very good approach but even in the case of Sandy Hook, the perimeter protection was breached due to the shooter penetrating the least hardened barrier. While physical security can do a lot to slow down or even deter such heinous acts, it does take more than just protecting a facility. While it may take a long time, we have to address and eliminate the source of such violence in our society," Moceri said. Greg Hussey, vice president of Engineering, SIGNET Electronic Systems Inc., Norwell, Mass., said schools need to improve security and safety for public schools through policies and procedures. "Systems can be designed and installed to be close to infallible but the end result would be too costly and restrictive; think of a prison. I believe that protocols should be developed at some level i.e. each district, town or state, which provides guidance related to staff/personnel entering each school, visitors/parents gaining access, asking for identification/checking hot lists, verifying relationships, teaching how to handle various situations and how to escalate issues etc. These procedures should be practiced/rehearsed and fine tuned." Hussey also commented that many schools across America still have an open door policy; most doors are left open or unlocked and no one monitors the main entrance. "A million-dollar system will not do anyone any good if Consider least-hardened barriers someone places a brick to prop open the cafe door. A main "While few security systems are infallible, there are entrance that is open to the public with a sign that states 'visimeasures that can be taken to significantly increase protectors must check in at the main office' is not going to cut it. A tion. This is certainly more feasible in industrial and even video intercom system at the main entrance where a person commercial markets where budgets are larger and a more just has to state: 'I'm here to pick up my son' and they are let visible 'fortress like' security is acceptable. The challenge in is not a security system. Again, policies that are enforced in schools is certainly cost and while we want children to and practiced and people are held accountable," Hussey said. be and feel safe, the security environment should not turn Regarding physical things that could be done, the first the school into a hardened fortress. Layered security is a is making sure that all doors are secured and TOP 10 MASS SHOOTINGS SINCE VIRGINIA TECH that every school has only one entrance and Virginia Tech 2007 32 victims that entrance doesn't Newtown, Conn. 2012 27 victims provide free access to the Fort Hood, Texas 2009 13 victims entire school. Perhaps a Binghamton, N.Y. 2009 13 victims vestibule should be created where they don't Aurora, Colo. 2012 12 victims exist where school perSamson, Ala. 2009 10 victims sonnel can interact with Covina, Calif. 2008 9 victims visitors/would be parents in a secure manner Manchester, Conn. 2010 9 victims before they are given Omaha, Neb. 2007 8 victims access to the school. Appomattox, Va. 2010 8 victims Hussey said mass notification systems will Sources: Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, news reports become more important 14 www.SecurityInfoWatch.com | SD&I; | January 2013