1st Reporting
Campus security technology is essential in today’s colleges, universities, and educational institutions. Sure, we’ve all seen those security posts with panic buttons to alert security, and we’re all aware of radio and smartphone communications. But what you may not be aware of is new software technologies that make security incident reporting advanced, accessible, efficient, and more effective.
The growing adoption of security measures across institutions means that the challenges of campus safety and security are being tested. However, no one is looking at how we can empower existing security teams to complete complex reports more easily and efficiently, adding media like photos, video, and audio to their reports, making prosecution of campus offenders easier and more effective.
In this guide, we’ll discover one of the most powerful software technologies of the century, which is empowering security professionals the world over with advanced reporting capabilities in the field right from their smartphones. Welcome to 25th-century incident reporting with the 1st Reporting app and exponentially faster response to campus security issues.
The Evolving Landscape of Campus Security
Today’s institutions face a variety of challenges, from campus protests to late-night post-pub crawl antics. As times have changed, so have our fears for security, despite changes in technology. Please take a look at the data I compiled from an ongoing Gallup survey below. As you can see, perceptions of security risks were on the decline overall between the late 90s and 2009. A small gap in available data, and we can see the next decade’s data going from 2012 to 2023 (again, a small gap in available data between 2020 and 2021) in an upward or increasing trajectory.
Source: 1. Gallup Poll; see reference list at the end of the article for complete source information.
The data from the above survey tells us that our feelings about the safety of our children in the school system (in the USA) are about the same as they were back in 1998. So, despite all of the advancements in technology, our perception of the safety of our children within the school system has fluctuated but remains about the same as it was twenty years ago.
With improved technology, school safety would also improve.
Many of today’s post-secondary institutions have robust systems in place, such as those panic button safety posts I mentioned at the beginning of the article. However, there remains a bottleneck in many security systems in institutions, and it comes down to appropriately completing paperwork, evidence collection, and expeditious reporting.
To overcome the challenges of reporting and documenting security concerns and incidents, institutions must prioritize tech-based security solutions that include more than mere hardware. Today, we can overcome the bottleneck of paperwork with software solutions that make security reporting easy. To understand the relevance, let’s look at the top three widespread useful security technologies that are reshaping the security landscape.
Key Campus Security Technologies for Educational Institutions
My research reveals three primary groups of technologies that are fundamental to campus security: surveillance, access control, and software. I say software because, with everyone carrying a smartphone, security technologies in the realm of software are advancing faster than the technology used to run it.
Surveillance Systems and Smart Cameras
Real-time surveillance monitoring in public areas around campus is the first thing I think of when I think of educational institutional security. However, in known high-risk regions, even public elementary schools have to use some form of surveillance. I’m not saying a kid is going to bring a gun to school, even though that too happens, but for the safety of younger kids from predators who think they can snatch a kid from a school playground and other such horrors.
New software technologies coupled with surveillance are creating smart cameras. Some of these systems can run things like facial recognition, motion, and movement tracking, as well as real-time notifications, to help security teams maintain real-time safety using surveillance. (2)
Access Control Systems
Facilities that house sensitive data or equipment typically utilize card-swipe and similar access control technologies. In educational institutional settings, these control systems are typically only found in dormitories or highly sensitive laboratories with sophisticated, expensive, or dangerous equipment.
Today’s access controls use advanced technologies like keyless entry, smart cards, and even biometric scanners for those places that want to feel like Nick Fury or 007. These sorts of technologies can use anything from a fingerprint scanner to facial recognition, even an iris or retinal scanner to verify a person’s identity. (3)
Incident Reporting and Response Software
Depending on the hardware your security system uses, you may be limited to software that works exclusively with surveillance equipment, alarm or panic systems, or lighting system controls, for example. However, one aspect of security that often fails to catch up to hardware advancements is reporting and documentation of incidents and incident response.
We’re proud to have built 1st Reporting, a software application that leads the way in mobile security incident documentation. The team at 1st Reporting saw a need for security personnel to have a mobile reporting system to document incidents and events using the smartphones they all carry anyway. Sure, radios are still great for reporting to the base, but when an event occurs, a report is still a primary requirement.
1st Reporting is a mobile application that is multi-platform compatible, easy to use, and secure. It empowers security personnel to complete incident or accident reports, daily activity reports, patrol logs, and even maintenance reports if they see damage to property. The application is GPS-enabled, has a powerful form and notification customizer, and even utilizes Artificial Intelligence to help you build forms for any need, from security to building maintenance.
Let’s look at the role of mobile-enabled incident reporting next and see how solutions like 1st Reporting are making such a noticeable difference in effectiveness, response time, and reporting efficiency.
Role of Mobile-Enabled Incident Reporting in Campus Security
Mobile incident reporting by security personnel on educational institution grounds is a primary component of today’s robust security teams. The advantage of mobility with security reporting is apparent—teams that can report incidents on the go save time, collect better data and evidence, and provide a more prosecutable solution to security incident reporting.
Users of 1st Reporting note that the mobile application provides security teams with the ability to collect evidence in the form of photos or videos right on their mobile device, whether in the range of a data signal or not. Even when the security personnel are out of smartphone connection range, like in an underground parking garage, the application stores inputs locally on the device until the device can once again connect to the cloud. This secure data process ensures that no matter the signal, security can always complete their reports in the field, wherever they are.
Real-Time Data Access for Security Teams
Using a tool like the 1st Reporting application, security teams, and managers can access reports in real-time. So, a security team in the field could complete a report, and within seconds, a team manager could review that report’s data, even though they could be in different locations. Distance means very little when data is stored on a secure cloud server (1st Reporting is ISO-certified).
Customizable Forms for Campus-Specific Needs
Every campus is different, with different buildings, layouts, and needs. This is where a customizable solution like the 1st Reporting application shines. The application’s customizable forms empower teams like yours to use site-specific forms to solve the most custom security scenarios.
Dynamic Linking for Follow-Up Actions
Another powerful feature of software applications like 1st Reporting is the ability to dynamically link reports so managers like you can track entire workflows—from incident to victim follow-up to property damage repairs. Using the application’s custom form and notification builder, you can create customized security incident reports and include whatever follow-up report is needed, added dynamically based on initial report input.
You may have guessed that collaborative report review is easy due to secure cloud storage. You would be correct in that assumption, but let’s look at how emergency response is positively affected.
Emergency Response and Notification Systems
Automated Alerts and Notifications
I mentioned how you can customize forms and notifications within the 1st Reporting application. However, to fully grasp how the system can empower you and your security team, we need to dive a little deeper under the surface.
The custom notification system within the 1st Reporting application enables you to create custom email-based notifications (or Microsoft Teams-based notifications if you’ve got it set up). When I say custom notifications, what I mean is that you control the following:
- Notification recipient(s)
- Notification message
- What triggers the notification? You decide.
- What conditions must be met for the trigger to work? Again, you decide.
The notification is simple, effective, and extremely powerful due to its level of customizability. Just think how quickly security management can now make decisions about security incidents in near real-time due to the collaborative features of 1st Reporting, coupled with the powerful notification system. The impact of reducing response time and increasing situational awareness is exponentially improved.
Securing Your Educational Institution: Final Thoughts
In today’s rapidly evolving security landscape, educational institutions must adopt a proactive approach by leveraging cutting-edge technology. By integrating advanced surveillance systems, access control, and mobile-enabled incident reporting, schools can significantly enhance safety, streamline response times, and ensure accountability across the board. The key is to invest in comprehensive solutions that not only address current challenges but also anticipate future threats.
As technology continues to advance, so too must our security strategies. Staying ahead of potential risks requires ongoing adaptation, investment, and a commitment to the safety of students, staff, and campus visitors. The future of campus security depends on our willingness to embrace these innovations and create safer, more secure educational environments.
Article Sources
- Jones, Jeffrey M. 2023. Gallup.com. Gallup. August 31, 2023. https://news.gallup.com/poll/510398/school-parent-safety-concerns-remain-high.aspx.
- “Security Technology Trends in the Surveillance Industry 2024.” 2024. Spotter Security. August 6, 2024. https://www.spottersecurity.com/blog/security-technology-trends/#:~:text=AI%2DDriven%20Video%20Analytics,between%20different%20types%20of%20activities..
- “Biometric Security – Definition, FAQs – Innovatrics.” 2023. Innovatrics. 2023. https://www.innovatrics.com/glossary/biometric-security/#:~:text=Biometric%20security%20is%20a%20modern,to%20verify%20a%20person’s%20identity..
