ASIS International, the US-based security management association, has released its American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-approved standard designed as a framework for developing, implementing, maintaining, and improving school security. The association says this first standard of its kind provides a benchmark for assessing and improving a school’s security posture regardless of size and funding.
Jeffrey Slotnick, CPP, PSP is Co-Chair, ASIS School Security Standard Technical Committee. He says: “This standard represents thousands of hours of dedicated volunteer work by a passionate cross-disciplinary team of professionals united in their commitment to improving school security. While there are no simple solutions for creating completely secure educational environments, this standard was specifically designed to help schools systematically assess and address their unique risks.
“This is a proactive tool to serve schools across the globe by providing practical, actionable guidance for those on how to secure learning environments while maintaining focus on their primary mission of education.”
While numerous tools and resources exist for school security, there has never been a voluntary standard to guide K-12 schools in creating more secure learning environments, ASIS says.
This framework was designed through school administrators, security professionals, architects, mental health practitioners, behavioural threat assessment specialists, facilities managers, emergency management experts, law enforcement, crisis communications professionals, and business continuity planners.
The standard takes a holistic approach to security by providing criteria for physical security, behavioural threat assessment and management, and emergency operations planning.
Drew Neckar, CPP, Co-Chair of the ASIS School Security Standard Technical Committee, says: “For the first time, schools across North America and around the world have access to a nationally recognized, ANSI-approved standard to provide a clear path for implementing a comprehensive school security program. This groundbreaking ANSI/ASIS School Security Standard transforms the security landscape for K-12 environments by providing those accountable for security measures a scalable roadmap that when implemented, doesn’t just meet security objectives, it creates a framework for continuous improvement based on industry benchmarks and empowers stakeholders involved in school security to build stronger, more resilient educational environments. This initiative reflects a growing recognition of the need for integrated security strategies that go beyond physical infrastructure to include behavioral and emergency response planning.”
If you are interested in being part of a team that creates an ASIS Standard, email [email protected]. Visit www.asisonline.org.
