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With only 40% of schools feeling fully prepared to handle intruders, the need for modern safety technology has never been more urgent. However, the challenge for educators lies in securing our campuses without making them feel like fortresses or losing the trust of the community.
In a recent interview with EdTech Chronicle, our Executive Vice President of Experiences and Design, Chris Burton, discusses the critical shift from manual logs to intelligent visitor management in K-12 and higher education. Burton highlights how paper-based systems create dangerous security blind spots — they can’t be searched during emergencies or cross-referenced across campuses — making them a significant liability in an era of tightening budgets and understaffing.
By adopting a digital-first approach, schools can reduce visitor management time by up to 80% while strengthening their physical security. The goal is to move beyond simple administration and treat visitor management as a foundational safety platform. This allows schools to stay “audit-ready” and emergency-prepared, ensuring every guest, contractor, and volunteer is verified and accounted for without compromising the warm, open learning environment that defines their values.
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Key Takeaways
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Eliminate Security Blind Spots:
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Replace manual paper logs with a unified digital system that allows campuses to share risk data and search visitor records instantly during an emergency.
Integrate Crisis Response:
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Ensure your visitor management system is a core part of emergency preparedness, providing real-time data to account for all non-student personnel during lockdowns.
Bridge the Training Gap:
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Move beyond basic protocol compliance by training front-office staff in risk pattern recognition and digital security literacy.
Prioritise the Human Experience:
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High security shouldn’t feel cold; modern digital systems provide a dignified, “concierge-style” experience that maintains a welcoming atmosphere for students and families.