Protecting students, faculty, staff and visitors on today's campuses is an enormous undertaking for facility managers and security directors. Everyone – from students and parents to campus communities and the general public as a whole – wants the highest level of safety and security on campuses today. Yet, funding for critical components has diminished, despite greater awareness of campus risks and potential threats of unimaginable proportions. In addition, the decentralized nature of most campuses causes even greater compromise to security systems.

More than ever, security administrators today need to identify everyday actions that can evolve into comprehensive solutions for tomorrow. The first step: to conduct a thorough assessment of current security systems and emergency preparedness plans that identifies areas for improvement and includes a list of priorities. An experienced, professional security solutions provider often can bring an objective view of strengths and weaknesses throughout a campus and a fresh perspective of how to best approach integrating security solutions throughout the environment.

Integration of physical security systems has become much more than a catch-phrase – it is virtually essential to any dynamic program. Not only does an integrated system take the greatest advantage of available resources, it improves overall return on investment by eliminating duplication, automating tasks and enhancing system effectiveness. Also critical to the success is incorporating new and established technologies in fresh, more cost-effective ways.

Consolidating resources can also lead to more effective, integrated security solutions. Oftentimes, several departments control separate budgets. By carefully pooling those resources, a campus can strengthen its security, which benefits all constituents. For example, one access control panel may serve multiple departments, buildings and access points. A programmable locking system can be installed on campus facilities located miles apart.

Until recently, many institutions were reluctant to implement a new security platform because they were worried it would become obsolete within a few years. Security technologies are converging now to allow more flexible and adaptable access control systems. Because these emerging technologies are scalable, security administrators can adopt a strategy of hybrid migration that calls for modest incremental investments in stages. By adding new technology on top of old, instead of converting everything at once, can help to protect a college’s investment for years to come.

Locks built on an open architecture platform, such as Ingersoll Rand's Schlage AD-Series, can integrate with already installed access control systems and easily migrate to emerging technologies. These open, modular access systems allow for easy, quick and affordable growth, without compromising security.

With modular access control systems, security administrators can easily add more locks or upgrade credentials, networking options or software without replacing locks. They also can customize door openings with options, including credential readers. Users can manage offline and networked locks with the same software and database. This approach allows a facilities manager to have more locks on more doors to increase security and move more offline doors to a network solution, as budget and needs dictate. Ultimately, a fully networked solution gives security directors the ability to instantly  lock down a facility and quickly manage access rights.

Components traditionally located around the door can be integrated into the lock itself to yield a smarter solution and more value for the investment. Administrators can interchange readers and network modules to leverage their one-card, or smart card, solutions and  provide safe and secure passage throughout the campus.

Multiple reader modules give security administrators an option to mix and match credentials as needed. Dual credential readers that request both a card and PIN (personal identification number) can be used to verify identity by asking the user to provide something they have (credential) and something they know (PIN).

In addition, multiple networking modules, wired and wireless, let administrators implement access control at openings to provide centralized instant lockdown. A wireless networking option allows an opening to be secured while protecting the historic infrastructure on campus and eliminates the need to run wires to every door.

Mortise deadbolts yield higher levels of security in residence halls and other sensitive areas, such as research labs. These locks are also compatible with popular master key systems and all popular exit devices. They provide a host of power and cylinder options and offer field-configurable settings. The locks provide a privacy function for areas requiring discreet notification, such as common area bathrooms.

Software managed access control systems provide cost-effective solutions for de-centralized campuses. They offer simple solutions to easily change user credentials, track usage and manage data without installing a facility-wide network. Changes are communicated on a lock-by-lock basis through authorized credentials or universal programming tools. Credential options for these solutions include smart cards, as well as proximity cards and magnetic stripe cards.