Eyes Wide Open

Safeguarding schools takes smart, practical and proactive approach

The Colorado Independent School District (CISD) serves nearly 1,100 students in North Central Texas. as it is for most school districts across America, safety is a paramount part of CISD’s overall miss on of shaping college-bound, lifelong learners—a goal made easier and more affordable by extending the utility of the district’s network with IP surveillance cameras, storage and switches.

Securing the Now, Foreseeing the Future

From an IT perspective, CISD has made excellent progress in its quest to promote a 21st-century education through advanced technology. Spread over five square miles, its campuses are tied together through a gigabit fiber network. While many students have no computers or Internet access at home, at school they enjoy the benefits of rich, Webbased scholastic content, Smart Boards for more exciting classroom instruction and laptops for mobile learning.

Despite its classroom successes and smalltown status, the district has not had the luxury of avoiding security issues. While hardly in a high-crime area, the district has recorded occasional break-ins and acts of vandalism. In addition to regional and national security concerns, there are local concerns, including the school’s proximity to a state prison.

“In our post-9/11 world, and in keeping with Unified School Safety Standards for Texas Schools, we’ve strived to create a master plan to keep our campuses and kids safe,” said Pam Alvarez, Colorado ISD technology director.

A complete IP surveillance system became “the eyes” of that plan, based on a comprehensive D-Link site survey and founded on a network of versatile D-Link network cameras and NVRs. The advantages of an IP-based solution over a traditional analog system were easy to envision:

  • automation of security routines and alerts
  • higher-resolution images for accurate identification
  • easy-to-search storage functions
  • less resource-intensive.

Building a Blueprint for Better Security

In establishing its security network, CISD leveraged its relationship with D-Link VAR and Abacus Computers Inc. in Midland, Texas. With the help of a specialized education sales consultant, the district carefully weighed competing products based on their flexibility of installation and a local site survey.

Abacus and its local D-Link representative then performed a complete walk-through of each one of five campuses and provided a comprehensive network diagram and bill of materials as a project blueprint.

For the final solution, the team installed a series of wired and wireless D-Link IP cameras. These were linked to an array of DNS- 726-4 SecureCenter two-bay NVRs supported by various switches and wireless access points. Even though there was AC power for the middle school gym, running Ethernet cable through it was impractical, so the team chose a D-Link Wireless day/night network camera.

Employing DVC-20 2X four to eight mm varifocal lenses, D-Link was able not only to provide broad coverage of common areas, hallways and more, but tailor the focus and field of view for each location so images were clear, no matter where the camera was located.

Both CISD and Abacus were pleased with the ease of installation, seamless integration into the existing network and the resulting image quality, which was far beyond anyone’s expectations. Initial reservations from teachers about surveillance were soon allayed after they saw a significant calming in the hallways.

Caught on Camera: Safer Schools and Students

With the IP surveillance network in place, CISD’s security outlook has been enhanced considerably, putting the district’s master plan in close alignment with Unified School Safety Standards for Texas Schools.

The cameras capture images 24/7. Four logically pooled NVRs hold up to two weeks of video for as many as 16 cameras supported with PoE. The units also support SmartSearch for easy retrieval of video streams based on a range of criteria. By way of a Web browser, principals are able to view footage of past security incidents, and the district superintendent can scan images from all schools.

The high resolution of the installed cameras has proven extremely effective—particularly because CISD was able to review footage of recent suspected acts of vandalism and theft in the district’s gymnasium.

Based on that success, CISD principals have already discussed expanding coverage with more cameras. Versatile, cost-effective and simple to integrate, IP solutions will clearly make it easy for them to “put eyes on” an even safer learning environment.

This article originally appeared in the Security Products Magazine - July 2012 issue of Security Today.

Featured

  • Gun Violence Report Finds Retail Spaces, K-12 Schools Most Targeted

    ZeroEyes, the creators of the only AI-based gun detection video analytics platform that holds the U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act Designation, today announced the release of its annual Gun Violence Report, offering a deep dive into the landscape of gun-related incidents across the United States. This analysis extends beyond mass fatality events, providing a more nuanced understanding of when, where, and why shootings occur. Read Now

  • Agentic AI Will Revolutionize Cybercrime in 2025 According to New Report

    Malwarebytes, a provider in real-time cyber protection, recently released its 2025 State of Malware report, which reveals insight into the emergence of agentic artificial intelligence (AI), plus the year’s most prominent threats and cybercrime tactics. The report details a significant uptick in the number of known ransomware attacks, the total value of ransoms paid in 2024, and how IT teams can address them. Read Now

  • ESX 2025 Announces Expanded Schedule of Events

    ESX has announced its dynamic 2025 schedule, set to provide an unparalleled experience for professionals in the electronic security and life safety industry. Taking place June 16-19 at the Cobb Galleria Centre, this year’s event features an expanded lineup of educational sessions, hands-on workshops, inspiring main stage speakers, networking opportunities, and an engaging expo floor showcasing the latest technology. Read Now

  • City of New Orleans Launches NOLA Ready Public Safety App Before Super Bowl

    The City of New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP) is pleased to announce the official launch of the NOLA Ready Public Safety App, powered by Motorola Solutions. This new mobile application is designed to enhance public safety and emergency preparedness for both residents and visitors. All individuals planning to attend major events in New Orleans, including the Super Bowl, Mardi Gras, and other large gatherings, are encouraged to download the app. Read Now

New Products

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • Hanwha QNO-7012R

    Hanwha QNO-7012R

    The Q Series cameras are equipped with an Open Platform chipset for easy and seamless integration with third-party systems and solutions, and analog video output (CVBS) support for easy camera positioning during installation. A suite of on-board intelligent video analytics covers tampering, directional/virtual line detection, defocus detection, enter/exit, and motion detection.

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.