School safety is a growing concern, and with the rise of new threats and technologies, keeping your security system up to date is essential. From protecting students and staff to safeguarding school property during the summer, a modern security system is a critical component of any school’s emergency preparedness and daily operations.
In this article, we’ll explore four clear signs that your school may need to upgrade its physical security systems.
Sign 1: Your School's Risk Profile Has Changed
As your student population grows or your campus expands, so does your risk profile. From an additional parking lot to an updated athletic facility, any change in the landscape of a school’s property warrants a security check-in.
A school’s risk profile also involves new threats. The term “school safety” encompasses more than violent intruders. Bullying, vaping, and other internal issues play a large role in the overall security and safety of a school and the people inside. If your school is seeing increased incidents of altercations between students or more vaping in unsupervised locations, it may be time to revisit your security systems.
Additional after-school programs or community events that bring additional people on campus introduce an entirely different security need. A study by the United States Department of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention found that violence committed by youth peaks in the afterschool hours on school days. Football games, theater productions, and graduation ceremonies can bring large groups of people to your school, often including unsupervised students. Having adequate security to ensure everyone’s protection at these events is imperative.
Sign 2: Visible Gaps in Security Coverage
Even with a security system in place, blind spots and outdated equipment can leave your campus vulnerable. As new groups of students come and go, vulnerable areas change. What was once a hotspot for misbehavior might now be quiet, while a different stairwell has become the new problem area. Ensuring your blind spots are minimized and surveillance covers all problem areas.
Three initial steps to take when assessing potential gaps in your school’s security infrastructure include:
- Risk assessment: Are there areas with no camera coverage, like stairwells, restroom entrances, or side doors? Be sure a thorough evaluation is completed, so you can address the most at-risk areas first.
- Physical inspection: From regular wear and tear on your equipment to accidents throughout the school year, it's important to check in on the physical aspects of your security system.
- Physical security systems audit: Conducting a physical security systems audit in tandem with your physical inspection is the best way to ensure your security infrastructure works as intended and aligns with your security objectives for the current or upcoming school year.
Having a clear understanding of your school’s security posture is an essential first step. Let’s explore the next indicator that it might be time to update your school’s security systems.
Sign 3: Incompatible Technology and Communication Issues
Quick and effective communication makes a huge difference in emergency situations affecting a school. If surveillance, alarms, visitor management, and access systems don’t communicate with each other, response times can suffer.
Every school has an ongoing list of priorities and unexpected situations that can sometimes outrank checking in on your security system. Ensuring your systems are working properly and connecting efficiently is vital to their success.
Let’s look at some technology and communication priorities for school security systems:
Automation and Efficiency 
When your system requires additional effort or manual notification, critical time needed for emergency response is lost. By automating your systems, you remove additional barriers. Here are some considerations for automating school security:
- Automated lockdown procedures to save critical time in emergency situations.
- Automated visitor check-in or ID scanning systems are in place to track who is on campus at all times.
- Security health monitoring for video surveillance so maintenance issues (like malfunctioning cameras) don’t go unnoticed for days.
Staff Knowledge 
Security systems are only as effective as the people monitoring and engaging them. Ensuring staff are educated on emergency action plans and security procedures is critical for response time. Some ways to improve staff comfortability with security protocol are:
- One integrated dashboard where staff can access security protocols as needed and have action plans readily available.
- Sufficient training for staff on emergency and security procedures.
- Remote access to camera feeds for security staff.
By automating security tasks and implementing modern solutions, your school can use its resources more effectively and respond to safety incidents more quickly and efficiently.
Sign 4: You're Planning for Future Growth or Upgrades
Whether it’s expanding facilities, implementing new technology, or adopting a stronger approach to safety, your security infrastructure should be ready to scale.
Today’s school threats aren’t one-size-fits-all. What poses a risk in one district may not be relevant in another, and what works today may fall short tomorrow. That’s why future-ready security solutions are essential, they provide the flexibility to evolve with your school’s changing needs, often without requiring a complete system overhaul.
Some considerations for future-ready systems include:
Cloud-Based Access and Monitoring: Centralized control allows security teams and administrators to manage multiple campuses or buildings from one interface, with real-time updates and fewer limitations.
Integration with Mobile IDs or Visitor Management Applications: As schools shift to digital credentials, modern systems can work with existing apps or ID platforms, enhancing convenience and reducing the risk of lost or stolen access cards.
Emergency Alert Systems and Crisis Communication Tools: Future-ready platforms can integrate with panic buttons, PA systems, and mass notification tools, making it easier to communicate quickly and clearly in an emergency.
Upgrading with growth in mind means more than just adding equipment, it’s about creating a flexible, scalable safety infrastructure that supports your long-term vision and keeps your school and community protected.
Is It Time for a Security System Refresh at Your School?
Keeping your campus secure means staying ahead of risks with systems that evolve alongside your school. If you’ve noticed one or more of these signs, it may be time for a comprehensive security update.
Start by evaluating your current system, identifying gaps, and exploring integrated solutions that meet today’s safety standards and tomorrow’s needs.
Ready to take charge of your school’s security? Contact The Cook & Boardman Group today and let us guide you toward a more secure tomorrow.
Please note: Assessment requests are subject to availability based on your location. If your area is outside our current service range, we will follow up to let you know as soon as possible.