Evaluating Electronic Security Partners: Insights from Campus Safety Experts

In an article originally published in Security Sales and Integration, key figures across various industries—K-12, higher education, healthcare, and entertainment—discuss the intricacies of choosing electronic security contractors. The piece underscores the importance of trust, honesty, and commitment in fostering successful integrator partnerships, reflecting on how these relationships are pivotal for navigating financial constraints and evolving security needs.
Guy Grace, a retired security director from Littleton Public Schools and now a consultant, emphasizes the need for integrators to adapt to the financial and cultural specifics of school districts. Eric Clay, from CoxHealth System, highlights the necessity of vetting an integrator’s qualifications, especially their ability to secure healthcare networks against cyber threats. Meanwhile, Robert Carotenuto of The Shed seeks integrators who prioritize the institution’s needs over the monetary aspects of their relationship, aiming for solutions that align with the venue’s budget and mission.
The article also delves into the unique safety challenges faced by different sectors, with healthcare experiencing a high incidence of workplace violence, necessitating technologies to protect staff. Cultural institutions like The Shed strive to balance security measures with maintaining an open, welcoming environment. In schools, the challenge lies in integrating technology and emergency preparedness without compromising the learning environment.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further complicated the landscape, prompting a reevaluation of security measures and the adoption of technologies like thermal cameras and frictionless access control, though not universally. The University of Florida, for instance, decided against deploying thermal temperature detection due to cost and efficacy concerns, instead leveraging existing security systems to manage building occupancy and track access.
The piece concludes with insights from Bob Hayes of the Security Executive Council on the need to reassess security strategies in the post-COVID era, emphasizing the importance of aligning security practices with the evolving risks and operational realities of businesses.
Overall, the article highlights the complexity of selecting and working with security integrators, the unique challenges across different sectors, and the need for adaptability in the face of technological advancements and global events like the COVID-19 pandemic.