Here’s How AI Technologies Support School Safety

Ensuring students' and workers' safety and peace of mind is a priority for those in charge of managing schools. A secure environment is paramount for creating an atmosphere of learning and collaboration.

Some of the most common safety issues schools face include bullying, theft, and other violent acts. Schools are also exposed to risks such as fires and gas leaks, and in more recent years, active shooter situations and terroristic threats. On top of that, they have also become a frequent target of cybercriminals, who may attack the school's network to steal sensitive information or disrupt operations.

Security solutions for schools have evolved significantly over the last decades. Nowadays, most schools implement advanced video security, access control, and alarm systems to detect threats and react promptly. One of the latest trends in school safety is using AI technologies to get the most out of the data collected by different security technologies.

After providing a more detailed explanation of how AI-enhanced security systems work, this article will focus on how schools and other educational facilities can benefit from their implementation.

How AI-enhanced Security Works

AI-enhanced security systems work by analyzing vast amounts of data collected by multiple devices, such as video cameras, motion sensors and access control systems, such as keyless entry for commercial doors.

This analysis allows AI to identify patterns and relationships that indicate potential threats. When these risks are detected, AI can then alert security personnel, who can take the appropriate measures to keep the school safe.

For example, if there is an increased presence of specific people or vehicles near the school premises, AI-enhanced security systems can detect it and trigger an alarm. Or, if an individual is seen trying to enter a certain area with an invalid access card, AI can identify this anomaly and alert the staff.

How can AI-enhanced Security Benefit Schools and Other Educational Facilities?

Leveraging the power of artificial intelligence allows schools to improve their safety and security in multiple ways.

For instance, AI-powered video analytics can analyze large amounts of footage from video cameras in seconds, allowing for real-time monitoring of the premises. It also reduces the need for security staff in observational activities, meaning personnel can be used in other areas that require human intervention.

AI-enhanced access control measures can help to identify potential cyber and physical security breaches and unauthorized access in a timely manner. And when used together with facial recognition systems, AI can detect if a person is not authorized to enter a certain area, thus preventing intrusions.

AI can Help the School Prevent Fires and Gas Leaks

Through the use of machine learning and advanced algorithms, AI doesn't just offer additional protections against threats related to wrongful or illegal human activity. It can also protect schools from the risks of fires and gas leaks by cross-analyzing data collected by multiple sensors, such as temperature or smoke detectors, and alerting the staff if a problem is detected.

For example, by detecting both increases in temperatures and smoke, AI can deduce that there is likely a fire in the premises and alert security staff and firefighters in time to prevent further damage to the school and its occupants.

AI can Support Students and Staff During Emergencies

In the event of an emergency, AI-enhanced security systems can also help to manage the situation in a better way.

If there's an active shooter inside the school premises, AI can provide accurate information about their location and movements, allowing first responders to react more quickly. Or if the school needs to be evacuated, AI can come up with the best routes and ensure that the evacuation process is carried out in the safest way possible.

How AI can Boost Cybersecurity

As mentioned earlier, schools and other educational organizations are at an increased risk of cyber attacks. In 2022, 44 US higher education institutions and 45 US school districts were hit by ransomware attacks. The reasons why cybercriminals attack schools are multiple and range from financial motivations to political ones. These attacks can be particularly costly for schools and can also lead to reputational damages, especially when schools' and workers' confidential data are stolen or exposed.

AI-powered cybersecurity can boost the school's defenses against these types of attacks. For example, AI can identify patterns of suspicious activity and create automated defenses against malicious actors that try to infiltrate the system. It can also detect any attempts to steal data or confidential information and alert the IT staff of such attempts in time.

Additionally, AI can effectively detect any weak spots in the school's cyber defenses and alert the staff to take the necessary measures in order to patch them up.

Summary

On the whole, AI-enhanced security can greatly benefit schools and other educational facilities by offering improved protection against threats related to crimes, fires, gas leaks, and cyber attacks. They can also support schools in emergencies and ensure safety plans are implemented effectively.

It does so by analyzing large amounts of data collected by multiple sensors, identifying suspicious patterns, and triggering the right alerts or instructions as quickly and efficiently as possible.