Schools are embracing AI-powered tools to enhance safety in a more efficient and privacy-protecting way
Verkada, a leader in AI-powered physical security technology, now partners with schools and universities that collectively serve an estimated 20 million students and 2.5 million teachers and staff worldwide. With increasing demands on school safety and operations teams, many education leaders are rethinking how they secure campuses and coordinate response – prioritizing technology that’s easy to use, respectful of privacy, and built to work in real-time.
“As schools navigate increasingly complex safety and operational challenges – including campus violence, unauthorized access, and emergencies – educators and administrators are looking for more efficient and reliable ways to protect their communities,” said Filip Kaliszan, Co-Founder and CEO of Verkada. “As their technology partner, we continue to evolve our solutions to ensure schools have the critical tools they need to proactively identify risks, rapidly respond in emergencies, and create secure environments where students and educators can thrive.”
Modern approaches to school safety increasingly rely on integrated technologies for faster decision-making and incident response. AI-enabled cameras enhance situational awareness and provide critical context during investigations. Environmental sensors help identify vaping and bullying, while intercom and guest management systems monitor and control entry points. With access control tools and alarms, administrators can initiate a lockdown within seconds via a panic button, web browser, or mobile app.
“We have a collective responsibility to ensure schools remain places of learning, not fear,” said Frank DeAngelis, former principal of Columbine High School and member of Verkada’s School Safety Advisory Board. “The entire education industry must continue to innovate, collaborate, and advocate for the tools and policies that will protect the next generation.”
From elementary schools to universities, educational institutions of all types use Verkada to enhance physical security, including:
- Mountain View Los Altos High School District (MVLA): “As a former school administrator, Verkada Intercom – paired with Guest – is one of the most powerful tools I’ve seen for campus safety,” said Bob Fishtrom, Director of IT Services.
- Bath Spa University: “I’m certain that any member of a team could come in and find what they need in seconds, no matter their level of technical skill. Simplicity is key in the adoption of a new tool, which is what made the value of Verkada immediately clear to me and my team,” said Andy Williams, Head of Facilities and Services.
- La Cañada Unified School District: “We can prioritize active areas and monitor multiple feeds at once – entrances, exits, and hallways. Whoever is making the 911 call can quickly assess and relay real-time information to emergency dispatch,” said Jamie Lee Lewsadder, Associate Superintendent of Technology Services.
To help schools maintain trust and transparency, Verkada offers features like Live Face Blur on video feeds and configurable privacy zones that block specific areas from being recorded. Granular controls and permissions give school administrators the ability to limit access to sensitive features, helping protect both student safety and privacy.
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