Educause Security Discussion mailing list archives

Re: A "physical security" question - "cameras" versus "boots on the ground" - best practices


From: "Schmidt, Eric Ward" <erschmid () IUPUI EDU>
Date: Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:57:51 +0000

Michael,

An inexpensive but far reaching option for this type of scenario also came from the VA Tech incident - staff and 
faculty awareness training.  The training is called Active Shooter Awareness Training and it's analogous to the 
awareness training we all know for fire - stop, drop, and roll.   This awareness training provides staff and faculty 
various things to consider if you're on campus and you think you hear gun shots.  


Eric Schmidt

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 27, 2011, at 12:26, "SCHALIP, MICHAEL" <mschalip () CNM EDU> wrote:

Hi folks.....

Sorry if this is the wrong "group", but - I need some advice.....

We're struggling with a debate on physical security measures.  Following the Virginia Tech incident - our execs 
decided that we had to respond with increased security measures.  At some point - the decision was made that we 
needed to explore "security cameras".  Next thing we knew - there was a contractor engaged, cameras were installed at 
one campus (we have 6 across the metro area!), and now - the questions are finally being asked - "Are we doing the 
right thing...??"

Putting in cameras is fine - but then folks are trying to figure out "....who's going to be watching the camera 
feed?"  The other question that was asked was, "What is more of a deterrent - a security camera - or taking the cost 
of 30 cameras and hiring another pair of boots to walk around??"

So - I'm asking all of you:  What kind of physical security is preferred?  What kind of security measures are used in 
higher education to provide a reasonable level of security?  Are folks using more "technology" - or more "warm 
bodies"??

Looking forward to your wisdom.....

Thanks,

Michael


-- 
This message has been scanned for viruses and
dangerous content by MailScanner, and is
believed to be clean.


Current thread: