Schools today are very different than they were many years ago. Once considered a safe haven for students, increasing cases of mass violence and suicides on campus are shattering the perception of safety within school walls.  Frighteningly, we have seen an increase in on-campus violence at colleges and universities, and we have learned in recent years that no school or community is immune to violence.  With nearly 40 cases of campus shootings in 2014 , it’s evident the state of safety measures in educational institutions needs to be re-evaluated. Could technology play an integral role in making schools safer?

To a certain extent, schools and colleges are already using technology to address safety issues. In fact, many of these institutions have the latest security cameras, audio-visual equipment, intercoms, etc. on site, yet many of these measures would have little to no impact in the face of a crises. Why? Because most of the data and communication systems in place at schools are difficult to control and time-consuming to master. In an emergency situation demanding prompt action, these systems fail because they take too much time. Let’s look at how the right AV solutions can change this.