Strengthening school safety is a top priority for families, communities and educational institutions, and innovative solutions are necessary to protect against varied and expanding physical and digital threats. Technology can play a critical role in addressing these concerns, from bolstering physical surveillance to fostering effective communication in a crisis.
However, effectively leveraging these tools requires thoughtful integration and a clear understanding of the unique ways school facilities and activities function. Below, 20 members of Forbes Technology Council share details about tech-forward tools and initiatives that could help make school facilities and events safer for students, staff and the broader community.
1. AI-Monitored Security Cameras
Few security cameras are actively monitored by humans. By layering AI and video analytics tools into security systems, schools can enhance safety with 24/7 monitoring of camera feeds. These systems detect unusual activity or suspicious objects in real time, enabling staff to respond promptly to incidents, reducing risks and improving overall safety without relying solely on human oversight. – Dmitry Sokolowski, VOLT AI
2. Sensor-Synced Digital Maps
One practical approach is to create a digital map of the school, synced with real-time sensor data like door locks, cameras and temperature monitors. This immediate visibility would help administrators spot unusual situations early and respond before they escalate, ultimately strengthening safety for students, staff and the community. – Sai Sandeep Ogety, ogetysaisandeep.org
Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
3. IoT Camera And Sensor Systems
AI-powered Internet of Things cameras and sensors can enhance school safety by integrating biometric facial recognition, weapon-detecting devices and drones. These systems can identify unauthorized access, detect weapons and deploy drones to monitor suspicious activity. AI cameras can activate safety measures like locking doors and alerting authorities in real time, ensuring a quicker response to ensure safety. – Nishant Satya Lakshmikanth, LinkedIn
4. AI-Driven Behavioral Analytics
Smart building integration with AI-driven behavioral analytics detects potential security risks significantly faster than traditional systems. By synthesizing data from social feeds, physical sensors and anonymous digital footprints, schools can identify concerning patterns and mobilize mental health support before situations escalate. – Jitender Jain, Walmart Global Tech
5. Emergency Communication Systems
Emergency communication systems—apps with geofencing and mass alert capabilities—can send real-time notifications during incidents. Schools can use these to guide staff and students to safety, quickly inform authorities and share updates with families. This minimizes panic and coordinates a quicker, safer response during emergencies. – Srikanta Datta, Coupang
6. Predictive Analytics
Officials can enhance school safety by leveraging predictive analytics to identify potential risks before they escalate. By analyzing behavioral data, social interactions and external factors, schools can proactively address issues like bullying or mental health concerns. This data-driven approach helps create a safer environment for students, staff and the wider community. – Kalyan Gottipati, Citizens Financial Group, Inc.
7. Smart Audio Systems
Smart audio analytics systems integrated with video monitoring can detect potential threats by recognizing concerning keywords and patterns. The technology can provide real-time alerts to staff when issues arise, enabling quick responses to safety concerns before they escalate. – Anil Kumar Moka, Capital One
8. Access Control Using Biometric Authentication
Smart access control systems using biometric authentication can enhance school safety. These systems can verify identities through fingerprints or facial recognition, track entry and exit patterns and alert security about unauthorized access. This provides real-time monitoring while being less intrusive than metal detectors or constant surveillance, helping maintain a welcoming learning environment. – Brij Kishore Pandey, ADP
9. Digital Check-In Systems For Visitors
Just as modern corporate offices use advanced visitor management systems for security, schools can adopt similar technology: a digital check-in system where visitors scan government-issued IDs at secure kiosks, receiving temporary QR-coded badges after automated background checks and watch list screening. This mirrors corporate security best practices while ensuring controlled access. – Meghana Puvvadi, NVIDIA
10. Emotional And Physical Monitors
AI-driven classroom devices could transform school safety by monitoring students’ emotional and physical well-being, analyzing indicators like stress or focus. These devices can provide transparent, real-time reports for parents and teachers while offering personalized guidance to students during critical moments, fostering proactive interventions and nurturing a supportive, secure learning behavior. – Vishal Pawar, CloudOMax Corp.
11. Safety Cameras On School Buses
AI-powered safety cameras on school buses can monitor student behavior, detect potential safety issues inside and outside the vehicle, and ensure drivers’ compliance with traffic laws, creating a safer environment for students during their commutes. – David Julian, Netradyne
12. Lessons In Cybersecurity Best Practices
Teaching administrators, teachers and students how to follow cybersecurity best practices—including using a password manager, enforcing multifactor authentication and regularly updating software—helps make schools safer. These practices help reduce cyber incidents, which K–12 schools face daily. Empowering the education community with cybersecurity knowledge and tools is crucial to protecting sensitive data and creating a secure learning environment. – Darren Guccione, Keeper Security
13. XR-Enhanced Crisis Scenario Training
In today’s day and age, crisis scenario training is critical. While regular drills are essential, extended reality technology can provide a safe space to model intense, high-pressure scenarios. This immersive technology could help staff build confidence and situational readiness, thereby fostering a robust response if they are faced with a real-world emergency. – Paul Peloquin, Thumbscore
14. Foot Traffic Monitoring And Guidance Systems
Schools can employ sensors to watch how students and staff move through hallways and doors. When things get crowded, an automated system could guide people to different routes, helping prevent dangerous foot traffic jams and making sure everyone stays calm and safe, even if something goes wrong. – Margarita Simonova, ILoveMyQA
15. Multichannel Emergency Alert Systems
Implementing a multichannel emergency alert system that allows instant communication between students, staff and local authorities can significantly enhance response times during critical incidents. This could involve a combination of SMS, push notifications and wearable devices for staff, allowing them to instantly notify others of emergencies, whether physical or digital. – Vamsi Krishna Dhakshinadhi, GrabAgile Inc.
16. Geofencing
Geofencing enhances school safety by creating virtual boundaries around safe zones. If a student exits these zones without authorization, staff receive real-time alerts, enabling immediate intervention. This technology ensures student safety, provides accountability and can integrate with apps to notify parents, creating a secure and connected environment for schools, students and families. – Manasi Sharma, Microsoft
17. Internet Safety Education
I think students should take courses on how to safely navigate the internet. They should learn the basics about what scams look like, how misinformation spreads, the consequences of sharing your data or physical location, and so on. As the internet evolves, so will scams and malfeasance, and properly equipping kids can help fight it. Cyber literacy is as important as financial or civic literacy. – Jordan Yallen, MetaTope
18. AI-Powered Emotional Support Assistants
Schools can leverage generative AI-powered assistants to provide scalable emotional support and guidance to students and staff, offering a level of care previously unattainable. These assistants act as always-available, nonjudgmental companions, helping with onboarding, detecting stress or bullying, and connecting individuals to counselors, thereby fostering a more inclusive, safer school environment. – Sarthak Handa, Amazon Web Services
link