Complete Guide to School Lockdown Security Systems

Guaranteeing the safety of students, staff, and the campus community has become a paramount concern. With the surge in the frequency of emergencies, school administrators are seeking comprehensive solutions to improve their readiness and response capabilities. That’s what modern lockdown systems for schools are designed to do.

The goal of a school lockdown alert system is to secure the building during a crisis. Implementing this security protocol is critical for reducing response times and ensuring coordinated actions during a disaster. Recent statistics emphasize the urgency of adopting these safety measures. 

According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, one in four US teachers experienced a gun-related lockdown in the past school year. This underscores the real and present dangers schools encounter.

Understanding and implementing effective lockdown security solutions is beyond compliance; it is a commitment to the well-being of the educational community. In this guide, you'll learn about lockdown systems in schools, how to use them to protect your school, and the most suitable lockdown system for your institution.

What is a Lockdown Security System?

A lockdown security system is a system built to secure every aspect of your building when a threat is detected. Once activated, the system secures the building by simultaneously locking all doors. The lockdown security system can be activated using buttons on mobile apps, key cards, laptops, or traditional lockdown buttons. 

For instance, in the event of an active shooter on campus, you can lock down the entire premises with just one tap on your laptop. Lockdown systems for schools help school owners and leaders automate emergency response and protect lives and valuables.

Why are Lockdown Systems for Schools Important?

School safety shouldn’t be left to chance, particularly because the days are becoming unpredictable. That’s why admins and decision-makers must be equipped with systems that protect the school community during emergencies. Let’s explore why a lockdown alert system is a must for every school.

• Rapid Response to Threats

With a school lockdown system, admins and employees can initiate a secure response within seconds. Upon spotting a threat, activating this security solution minimizes harm and confusion during a crisis.

• Better Preparedness

Lockdown systems in schools are more than just emergency solutions—they are part of a proactive safety strategy. Using the lockdown alert system during regular drills helps students and teachers stay prepared. This preparedness equips them to confront an actual emergency.

• Increased Student Confidence

Being in a learning environment where safety protocols are visible and reliable boosts student confidence. It gives them a sense of control and helps them know what safety steps to take during a disaster. Ultimately, an effective school lockdown system reassures students that the school is equipped to handle emergencies securely.

• Peace of Mind for Parents and Schools

Parents have peace knowing that their children are protected. With modern systems, school leaders can assure families that advanced, tested protocols are always on guard. This sense of readiness indicates the school’s commitment to safety and builds trust.

• Protection Against Weather-related Emergencies

Lockdowns aren't only for intruder threats or active shooters. Severe weather conditions like tornadoes, high winds, hurricanes, or other natural disasters can pose serious risks to the entire school community. However, a responsive lockdown security solution swiftly guides everyone to safety. This way, students and staff are preserved from harm when nature turns dangerous. 

Types of Lockdown Systems for Schools

Different school lockdown systems serve various purposes and provide varying levels of protection and automation. Below is a breakdown of the different options available.

Geographic Lockdown

As the name implies, geographic lockdown locks only specific rooms or regions of the school in response to a threat. This could be the gym, cafeteria, or specific buildings within the premises. 

A geographic lockdown is perfect for schools with multiple campuses or facilities with many buildings. It can also be used to handle localized incidents and reduce potential risks within a learning environment.

Full School Lockdown

A full school lockdown protocol is activated in response to immediate safety threats. All entry points are secured, and movements throughout the building are halted. 

This school lockdown system is ideal for serious emergencies, such as an active shooter situation, to guarantee a seamless response that prioritizes the well-being of everyone on site.

Internal Threat Lockdown

An internal threat lockdown is used when there's danger inside the school. The danger could involve situations like medical emergencies, chemical spills, or an individual on campus who is a potential threat. The aim is to maintain student and staff safety while the situation is managed.

External Threat Lockdown

When there's a potential threat outside the school, an external threat lockdown secures the campus against it. Examples of these threats include severe weather events, protests, community-related incidents, or other environmental threats. 

By securing all external doors, the school creates a protective barrier that prevents threats from affecting the activities and people inside. For instance, schools can trigger the lockdown button for external threats during a snowstorm or when a protest is happening nearby. By doing so, employees and students are preserved and separated from the external situation.

How Coram Can Instantly Trigger a Lockdown?

Coram empowers schools to act quickly with a fully integrated security solution that combines emergency management, access control, and video surveillance. All these work collectively to protect students, teachers, and valuables across campuses.

Here is how it works:

Instant Threat Detection and Response

Coram’s EMS allows staff to trigger a lockdown alert from their smartphones the moment they identify a threat. Whether it’s an intruder or natural disaster, swiping the lockdown button on the EMS app alerts the entire school. 

At the same time, this notification activates Coram’s connected systems automatically, eliminating manual coordination and delays.

Lockdown Activation with Access Control

Upon initiating a lockdown alert, the system instantly locks down all access points across the school, thanks to Coram’s access control system. 

Admins can predefine which doors lock, who can bypass them, and when they should reopen. Even better, the lockdown can be triggered from a live camera feed, providing real-time flexibility and control in critical situations.

AI-Powered Verification via NVR

To verify the incident as it occurs, Coram’s AI-driven NVR (Network Video Recorder)—compatible with any IP camera—uses modern AI capabilities to analyze live video feeds. This system identifies unauthorized access, weapons, or tailgating, and feeds the data into the EMS.

Once a threat is visually confirmed, the NVR can help escalate lockdown procedures or guide responders with real-time information. Interestingly, you can do all these without replacing your existing surveillance infrastructure.

Unified and Automated

Its ability to automate emergency triggers across systems is one key standout feature of Coram’s technological security solution. For instance, if the camera spots someone with a weapon, the NVR signals the EMS, which then notifies administrators and locks all connected entry points. 

These functions are all integrated into a single, standalone platform, eliminating the need for using separate systems from different vendors. Coram is an easy-to-use, all-in-one lockdown system for schools, which reduces human error.

Multi-Device Access, Customization, and Scalability

Admins can access the EMS dashboard from a mobile or desktop device, set up automated triggers, customize lockdown procedures, and assign user permissions. 

Whether you’re overseeing a single campus or managing a district-wide network of schools, Coram’s solutions scale with your school and give you total control.

Conclusion

As school safety concerns are increasing, having efficient and reliable lockdown systems in schools is crucial. These security solutions play an integral role in safeguarding campuses during life-threatening events.

By simply swiping the lockdown button on the Coram EMS app, schools can proactively secure themselves from internal and external threats. As threats evolve, administrators and security personnel must adopt a better approach to campus safety. 

Thus, investing in Coram’s lockdown technology is an advanced way to prepare your campus for any emergency and save lives.