A press conference yesterday in Orlando at the Global Security Exchange, a trade show for security vendors, gave attendees a closer look at the proposed ASIS International School Security Standard, which covers physical protection, threat assessment and emergency operations specific to schools. The framework was created by ASIS International, a membership association of more than 30,000 security professionals that also serves as a standards development organization, accredited by the nonprofit American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
While named after the international association that drafted it, the school security standard is a proposed American National Standard, which means it’s a voluntary framework being recommended for U.S. schools — although other countries may decide to adopt it as well — and has met ANSI’s 10 essential requirements for due process. These include open participation, representing a balance of interests, and coming from a documented consensus, among other things.
ASIS recruited a group of 50 volunteers to begin building the standard more than two years ago. Jeff Slotnick, a veteran security professional and co-leader of the standard’s development team, said during the press conference that the group has “committed thousands of hours in developing a comprehensive tool that brings together the best practices from security experts, educators, law enforcement and mental health professionals.”
“It’s like a complete set of blueprints for school safety,” Slotnick said.
Regarding the role of technology in this standard, the section on physical protection systems and measures offers detailed recommendations on the use of surveillance cameras and intrusion detection sensors around a school’s perimeter. It also provides specific instructions on how to install and use panic buttons and emergency school communication systems.
Within its 100-plus pages, the standard touches on emerging technology as well, discussing the potential use of artificial intelligence, biometrics, the Internet of Things, robotics and drones to bolster school security.
However, Slotnick and other ASIS leaders who spoke at the press conference emphasized that the security framework is designed to help all schools, especially those that may not have the staff or resources to implement the latest safety technology.
“This standard isn’t just for big schools or wealthy districts,” Slotnick said. “We’ve designed it to be useful for all schools, no matter their size, location or resources.”
The standard has so far undergone three rounds of internal comments and revisions, followed by a public comment period that ended Sept. 9. More revisions, a second public comment period and further internal review will take place before the standard is complete, which should be around this time next year, according to ASIS officials.
