A guide to school security technology including security cameras, visitor management, access control, and panic alarm compliance for K-12 districts in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
School security has undergone a fundamental transformation in recent years. What was once limited to a few cameras at building entrances has evolved into comprehensive technology ecosystems that integrate video surveillance, access control, visitor management, emergency communication, and panic alarm systems. For K-12 districts across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, understanding these technologies — and the compliance requirements that govern them — is essential for protecting students and staff while meeting regulatory obligations.
Modern school camera systems go far beyond basic video recording. AI-powered cameras from manufacturers like Verkada and Avigilon provide capabilities specifically designed for educational environments:
People detection without facial recognition: Cameras can detect and count people in hallways, cafeterias, and outdoor areas without collecting biometric data — an important distinction for districts navigating student privacy concerns and parental consent requirements.
Occupancy monitoring: Real-time occupancy counts help administrators manage crowd flow during arrival, dismissal, lunch periods, and special events. Alerts trigger when areas exceed capacity thresholds.
After-hours intrusion detection: AI analytics detect any movement inside buildings during nights, weekends, and school breaks — alerting security personnel immediately rather than waiting for morning walkthroughs to discover break-ins or vandalism.
Cloud-managed access for administrators: Principals, school resource officers, and district security directors access live and recorded video from any web browser or mobile device. During emergencies, this means security teams and law enforcement can view camera feeds before arriving on scene.
Controlling who enters a school building is the single most important security measure a district can implement. Modern access control systems for schools include:
Credential-based entry for staff: Teachers and staff use mobile credentials or proximity cards to enter through designated doors. Credentials can be scheduled to work only during assigned hours and at assigned buildings.
Visitor management kiosks: Lobby kiosks screen visitors against sex offender registries and custom watch lists, print temporary badges with photos, and log visit purpose and duration. These systems create auditable records of every visitor to the building.
Classroom lockdown integration: In an emergency, teachers can initiate a lockdown from a button in their classroom or from a mobile app. The access control system automatically secures all exterior doors and designated interior zones, while the camera system bookmarks the moment for law enforcement review.
New Jersey's Alyssa's Law requires all public schools to install silent panic alarms that connect directly to law enforcement. Pennsylvania and Delaware districts are also adopting similar requirements as part of their school safety plans. These systems must integrate with the school's broader security infrastructure — triggering camera bookmarks, lockdown sequences, and mass notification messages simultaneously when activated.
Harris Technology Services designs panic alarm installations that comply with state requirements while integrating seamlessly with existing camera and access control systems, ensuring that a single button press activates your entire emergency response protocol.
Every security camera, access control reader, panic alarm, and intercom endpoint depends on the school's network infrastructure. Districts frequently discover that aging network switches, insufficient PoE power budgets, and outdated wireless access points are the biggest barriers to deploying modern security technology.
A security technology deployment should always begin with a network assessment that verifies switch capacity, PoE availability, VLAN configuration, and internet bandwidth. Upgrading the network alongside the security systems ensures reliable performance from day one.
Harris Technology Services works with K-12 districts throughout Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Delaware to design, install, and manage comprehensive school security systems. Our team handles security cameras, access control, network infrastructure, and compliance requirements as a unified project. Contact HTS at (877) 877-9080 for a free school security assessment.
Connect with us to explore our scalable solutions tailored to your unique needs and receive a personalized free quote.
