Taking Precedence
- By Ralph C. Jensen
- Mar 01, 2008
We’re moving. That’s right, the offices of
Security Products magazine and several
other company publications are moving
from their current location just down the
street. Our new offices are much nicer, they seem to fit
the staff better and, best of all, we’ll be using multiple
security measures to keep us safe.
The old offices weren’t safe at all. There were five
entrances, none of which was locked during the day. If a
co-worker felt he had to work late into the evening, I
worried for his security.
We’ve had some help in securing our new location.
First of all, our access points to the offices are now limited
to three, and they will remain locked all day, every
day. We’ve installed three locks provided by Ingersoll
Rand Security Technologies. They are King Cobras
and—what makes them perfect for our office or staff—
there are no keys to lose, hide or forget. A simple numerical
code gets a worker through the door. We’ll also be
able to add, delete or change user codes in just seconds.
Most users can install these locks in a minute using
only a screwdriver. Knowing me, I probably would not
be so fortunate. Luckily at our new office, installation
was quick and easy. Now, getting into the office will be
safe and secure, and the only thing to remember is the
access code.
Our new surroundings also include a small foyer area
where visitors wait until someone inside approves
access—and all the while they will be under the surveillance
of a Panasonic network camera. The video signals
captured by the progressive CCD will be converted into
JPEG or MPEG-4 streams and can be monitored at up to
30 fps. The technology also has audio captured by the
built-in microphone using a PC over the network.
We're also installing an AXIS 212 PTZ network camera.
It's a great new product that provides full overview
and instant zoom, yet uses no moving parts. This camera
is perfect for indoor video surveillance. Along with this
system, we're installing the AXIS camera station, which
is comprehensive video management software for monitoring,
recording and event management.
Perhaps the only thing missing from our corporate
security plan is employee ID badges. But in an office the
size of ours, maybe they’re not necessary. If an employee
doesn’t recognize someone in our office area, that person
likely doesn’t belong there in the first place. ID
badges are, however, a necessary security element in the
security scheme of things.
ID badges create a safe and secure environment in all
types of settings. For instance, at Crisp County High
School in Cordelle, Ga., students have taken ownership
for the safety of the school, according to Principal
Toriano Gilbert. Last year, the high school established its
Declarations of Beliefs and Visions. The document states
that “Safety takes precedence over all else.”
“A safe environment must be provided for every student
and employee,” Gilbert said. “The high school is
constantly taking every step to make sure that it provides
a safe and orderly learning environment.”
The school district has implemented an identification
policy on campus in order to maintain a safe and secure
environment. The policy is quite simple: All persons are
required to wear ID badges at all times while on campus.
This means all teachers and all students must wear their
ID badges in a highly visible way. The district includes
1,133 students and 110 staff members.
One significant reason the school adopted this policy
is because of its proximity to Interstate 75. Access to the
school is easy, and badging students and teachers alike
ensures that those who belong on campus will recognize
anyone who shouldn’t be there. So far, the program is
running smoothly. When students forget their ID—which
happens an average of 10 times each day—they aren’t
sent home, but to the office where they can buy a $2
badge, which is good for only one day. Replacement
badges cost $5, plus $1 for a new lanyard.
Getting the ID program up and running wasn’t difficult.
Assistant principals Fredrick Richard and Hubert
Adams helped establish the policy after visiting other
area schools that already had instituted similar programs.
The school even included some students in the research
process, giving them the opportunity to take part in creating
a safe campus.
Adams said the first thing school officials have in
mind is the safety of the students. With an increased
focus on school violence, many schools are turning to
personal identification to ensure the safety and security
of students and staff. Many feel that a simple photo ID
is only a small concession in order to keep everyone
safe. Gilbert said the students have accepted the responsibility
of the ID program, which also has brought
out a new sense of pride in being a Crisp County High
School Cougar.
Richard said when he sees a badge dangling from a
student, he knows that student is one of his, and it helps.
This is perhaps the most obvious benefit, but ID badges
provide many other positive side effects. They are inexpensive,
decrease disciplinary problems within the
school because of easy and accurate identification, and
make it possible for everyone in the school to address
each other personally. Also, ID badges with magnetic
stripes or bar codes can be used to monitor attendance,
purchase school lunches, check out library materials or
grant access to restricted areas.
The bottom line always seems to be the most important
part of any initiative. Security at Crisp County High
School has increased. The principal points directly to
the campus-wide ID policy,
but I’m pointing at
the principal and his
assistants. They know
security is a necessary
program, and they want
their students to focus
on learning, not the
alternatives.