Modern schools and colleges must be well-prepared to identify, deter and prevent sophisticated physical and digital security threats from impacting students and staff. According to a report published in 2022, American educational institutions have increased the amount of money spent on upgrading existing security systems in recent years, with around 90% of schools investing in electronic alert systems and video security devices, as well as smart access control networks.
As more campus security staff turn towards smart technologies and converged security systems to improve on-site security, a greater level of detail must be applied to the verification processes staff and students follow when accessing active systems. To prevent unauthorized persons from stealing personal data and posing a threat to students, smart identification policies are essential.
By issuing all staff, students and authorized guests with their own personalized smart ID cards, security teams can quickly identify potential threats and safely assess access events to prevent intruders from causing harm. For school administrators and security professionals interested in upgrading existing systems, here’s how smart identification is advancing campus security.
What are smart identification cards?
Smart identification cards are physical access credentials designed to provide holders with safe entry to secure locations. Each ID card contains a set of unique digital credentials, which when presented to a stationary access control reader, will either grant or deny entry to certain areas.
There are three common types of smart ID card typically utilized within school security systems, with each credential type associated with its own set of pros and cons, these varieties include:
- Proximity cards – Using RFID or NFC technology, proximity cards transmit credentials via radio waves to grant contactless property access, these systems are easy to install and simple to use, though readers may be hacked if end-to-end encryption isn’t utilized
- Magnetic cards – Magnetic ID cards function similarly to traditional payment cards, with credentials stored in a magnetic stripe that users must manually swipe through a reader, these cards are relatively inexpensive though can be duplicated or demagnetized easily
- Smart ID cards – Modern access card systems use smart ID cards fitted with an internal circuit capable of reading and writing credential data, this means individual cards can be used for multiple functions such as access control, amenity booking and credit payments
Mobile smart identification systems
Campus security teams are increasingly choosing to utilize mobile credential systems to remove the risks associated with lost or stolen access cards. Smart verification systems designed in this way enable teams to issue unique credentials directly to users’ smartphones, with all identifiable data stored in a cell phone app and secured behind in-device multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Mobile credential systems can be combined with additional security and building management systems to provide students with further benefits. All amenity booking, visitor management and digital resource access systems can be combined within one application, enabling students to request changes to their permissions for security personnel to either confirm or deny remotely.
Security benefits of smart identification
By utilizing smart identification systems to develop managed access control networks, school security teams can improve on-site security via customized integrations. With all active devices connected within a wider cloud-based security management system, security teams are able to access, review and adjust installed devices remotely from any secure pre-verified smart device.
Admins can also program remote alerts warning of suspicious activity, such as credentials being used in multiple locations at once, as well as revoke or adjust specific credentials at any time in response to data gleaned from real-time access logs. These types of alert data can be integrated with school alarm systems to automatically send notifications to campus police and security admins for further action or trigger workflows such as initiating a lockdown. Further security benefits are listed below.
Role-based access
Smart identification systems can be combined with customized access control models, enabling admins to create unique rule and role-based systems. Roles can be assigned to credentials, for example, only credentials flagged as ‘student’ or ‘security’ can be used to access students halls, whilst only those flagged as ‘management’ will grant access to high-risk areas like server rooms.
Rule-based access
Customized access rules may also be programmed by staff, for example, a rule may be created to ensure all access points are secured during evenings, weekends and holidays, ensuring the property is inaccessible to intruders even when school security staff are not physically available.
Visitor management
Smart identification systems enable staff to improve visitor management security by ensuring all guests, contractors and vendors are appropriately verified. Credentials can be adjusted in line with the needs of each visitor, for instance, contactors may be restricted only to areas deemed necessary for their work, ensuring all private student locations remain appropriately secured.
Cybersecurity
By securing access to digital resources behind smart identification systems, school security staff can protect sensitive student data and personal records from sophisticated cyber-attacks. Digital systems can be locked behind physical access readers, MFA and even biometric protections to prevent hacks and social engineering attacks from compromising sensitive student information.
Summary
As school administrators and campus security teams continue to upgrade and improve existing security systems to meet modern requirements, the development of smart identification systems becomes more essential. By securing access to physical locations and digital resources behind unique and traceable credentials, teams can better protect students from sophisticated threats.
Smart identification systems enable admins to improve response times, receive real-time alerts and adjust permissions remotely, as well as develop integrated security systems to strengthen emergency responses, advancing campus security to facilitate a safer learning environment.