For campus security, an integrated system is more than just technology

As potential attackers are becoming smarter and more brazen, it doesn't take long to become sold on the benefits of an integrated security system. That's especially true if you're the one charged with protecting high-traffic areas such as school campuses.

Now how to create one? For starters, it's important to realize that an integrated approach means a lot more than just ensuring technologies work seamlessly together. Rather, a real integrated system requires the entire organization and all its nuances to work as a cohesive unit.

Think about the electronic components of an integrated system. It is well-documented that being able to supplement security personnel with a system that seamlessly combines intrusion, access and video technology into a single interface improves situational awareness and enables faster response times.

It's not uncommon, for instance, for a large university to employ dozens of digital video recorders dispersed across campuses to support camera networks. The ability to manage those DVRs from a single location certainly streamlines operations. But a real integrated system takes it a step further and folds in access control to provide personnel with an all-encompassing platform that can tie access control events with relevant video.