In addition, with more and more data being stored online - and more students using the web to study - security concerns now need to go beyond the physical school building and into cyberspace. As schools put valuable teaching resources onto Virtual Learning Environments, store precious pupil information on management systems and allow parents to buy goods and services via portals - how sure can they be that their networks are completely secure?
Alan Collinge, Operations Director, RemGuard Visual Management warns "Schools, whatever their size, need to take a long hard look at the security arrangements they already have in place to combat vandalism, the threat of arson and the theft of valuable equipment. This is especially important, given that schools are unmanned overnight and at weekends with effective cover needing to be maintained. Some may still be tempted to rely on traditional measures, whether it is manned guarding, or continuously recorded CCTV but these, I would contend, are not necessarily the most effective answer."
"One type of CCTV technology which stands-up well to scrutiny, under any cost benefit analysis, for out of hours protection is remotely monitored, detector activated, CCTV. Time and again this has demonstrated an ability to stop crime at the earliest possible stage and, crucially, to assist the police to apprehend the culprits.
"The growing interest in this intelligent approach to CCTV has also been fuelled by the existence of an all embracing standard BS8418. By pulling together the key elements associated with this type of security, the Code of Practice delivers an invaluable benchmark for anyone considering this type of protection for their premises."
One school that recently took a long hard view at its security arrangements is Kettlethorpe High, one of Wakefield's largest secondaries. It had suffered from a series of broken windows and break-ins, which led to a huge increase in insurance premiums and a massive hike in their insurance excess costs from £75 to £500 per claim.
After being plagued by problems with their existing black and white camera system, installed over eight years ago, Alan Hampshire, Kettlethorpe's Finance and Site Manager decided that the time had come to sort the problem out and ushered-in a total review of the school's security measures.
"Recognising that CCTV surveillance is an important and complex subject, one which demands expert advice and consultation," explained Alan, "I approached four specialist security firms to help us obtain an effective solution. We then carried out an appraisal programme, one conceived and executed as part of a drive to furnish the school with better equipment and best value contracts. With a response to tender that met our requirements, we finally selected Acctive Systems of Surrey."
As a Panasonic Premier Installer, Acctive Systems is a recognised supplier of a comprehensive range of market leading CCTV equipment, and one that enables the company to tailor the supply of effective solutions, suitable for any size of a schools' security application and budget.
To provide comprehensive CCTV coverage of the school's main driveway, junior playground, portacabins, gym block, car park and building perimeter, Acctive specified high-resolution, Panasonic WV-CL924 CCTV cameras and WV-CW474 vandal proof domes. Able to supply useable images throughout a range of diverse conditions, these automatic day/night switching cameras, in combination with digital video recording, provide images of sufficient quality to be used as prosecution evidence should the need be required.
"Since the surveillance system was completed, instances of trespassing, acts of vandalism and break-ins have decreased significantly," says Alan. "In the future we will not hesitate to use the recorded video footage to prosecute offenders, and it will be school policy to secure a contribution towards the cost of repairs for damage caused by malicious acts."
"Apart from the security issue, the system is seen as being a great aid to improving pupil behaviour and with just 26 supervisors to manage 1,700 pupils at break-times, the system ensures that the school's ruling, ‘pupils remain on site, within school grounds', is being adhered to."
Effective security does not have to break the bank. Budget wise, Kettlethorpe benefited from a unique contract offered by Acctive, which allowed the school to upgrade its system from analogue to digital, without any major capital outlay. Using Acctive systems' in-house finance package, Kettlethorpe spread the cost of purchasing the new system by committing to an inclusive three-year maintenance agreement only, effectively procuring the CCTV equipment free of charge! At the end of that period, the school will own the equipment outright, leaving them with the option to agree a further ongoing maintenance package at a reduced flat rate.
RemGuard's Alan Collinge also believes that the economics of this type of CCTV for schools and colleges have undoubtedly changed for the better in recent years: "It is perfectly possible to implement a new RemGuard solution on a site for less than £10,000 for initial installation and set-up costs and then £25 per week for monitoring. The installation costs will obviously be dependent on the size of the site and may also be significantly reduced if there is an existing CCTV installation."
At RemGuard, new customers are able to take advantage of ‘free for use' offer on RemVu Aquila transmission equipment when they sign-up their three year monitoring contract. Usually an existing broadband connection is used to link-up to RemGuard's BS8418 compliant Remote Video Response Centre (RVRC) and, as the RemVu Aquila is a network based video server, it enables direct customer access from a local PC to view live and recorded images.
Says Alan Collinge, Operations Director at RemGuard Visual Management: "The bottom line is that this event driven method is significantly more effective on many school and college sites than conventional intruder alarms, and offers major cost, flexibility and reliability benefits when compared to manned guarding, patrols and continually recorded CCTV."
While digital technology can reduce costs and headaches in protecting a school's perimeter and buildings - there are instances where technology itself poses a threat to student safety.
Lightspeed provides a comprehensive network security product called Total Traffic Control that is designed specifically for education. Total Traffic Control protects the school's internet gateway with a built-in firewall, protects email from spam, and also protects PCs from viruses, spyware, and other threats.
Total Traffic Control also provides comprehensive online security for students, blocking porn, gambling and other undesirable web content while allowing even young students to use internet tools like Bing or Google Images safely. The new and very unique Educational Video Library even secures YouTube, allowing teachers to choose what videos can be viewed by students while blocking unwanted content such as un-moderated comments.
"A few years ago schools were looking for only the most basic network security and did not really understand the difference between products designed for the corporate market and ones designed specifically for education. Many schools and even Local Education Authorities bought well-known security products that were actually unsuitable for education," says Total Traffic's Earnie Kramer.
"Students use PCs and the Internet in a completely different way than an average corporate employee and the approach to education network security must take into account the much greater duty of care schools have. We are now finding the education security market is "growing up" and schools are now demanding specialised features designed for them, they are no longer willing to accept security products designed for other markets just because it is a "brand name"," he adds.
Aladdin and SafeNet have been protecting user authentication and password management for the education sector for the past five years. Specifically across Europe, Aladdin and SafeNet are securing a variety of educational institutes.
Pius X College in Bladel, Netherlands is one of the largest regional education institutions with 2400 students and 300 employees. The college is currently using eToken solutions to protect against unauthorized access, whether users are physically at the institution or at a remote location and securing personal student information.
"The advent of enabling technologies such as remote network access and eLearning platforms have assisted educational institutions to operate more efficiently and provide advanced offerings to faculty and students. However, with such technologies come significant challenges related to the protection of user privacy and data," says Doron Cohen, Chief Technology Officer, Authentication, at Aladdin Knowledge System.
"Education facilities enhance the productivity of faculty, students and staff by providing users with widespread and mobile access to necessary data and applications in the classroom, at home, or on the road. Due to this, there is an increased need for identity management with strong authentication. In order to reduce threats and assure that only authorized users are accessing the education's networks, there is an increased need for validation that a user is authorized access to the network," he adds.
"Education facilities are fully automated and now these networks contain personal information and student records. There is an increase need for protecting this personal information due to government regulations. The number of security incidents, whereby personal data on students, faculty and staff has been compromised has increased dramatically in the past few years. In Europe, several European Commission (EC) Directives, such as Directive 95/46/EC provide rules for protecting data and privacy. In order to achieve and maintain compliance with these government regulations, education institutes are encrypting this personal data."
Recession or no recession, no school can afford a breach of security that puts pupils at risk whether they are on site or online. Whatever area of the school needs protecting, a one-size-fits-all solution is not suitable. There are a number of companies that specialise in the education sector and understand the unique challenges. In this instance - research really does pay dividends.
