Campus security often relies on mass notification. This technology is an innovation that we all take for granted now, but schools are not the only institutions that have campus grounds to protect. Even though many changes have disrupted the way we used to live our lives, safety should remain everyone’s top priority. After all, although change is the only constant in life, some things tend to stay the same.
Use Cases Are on the Rise
First and foremost, it’s important to note that use cases are on the rise. Flexibility will be one way forward that will still yield benefits even after the pandemic subsides. Even with the world in recovery, a mass notification will be even more effective in terms of any emergency situation – or in circumstances that call for an outpouring of joy and elation. Remote workers, patients, and worried families can get updates in real-time, which can hopefully reduce associated anxieties.
However, all of this hope is mitigated by the possibility of violence almost anywhere – and not just on K-12 school campuses or the grounds of colleges and universities. Movie theaters, newspaper offices, and religious institutions have all seen tragic horrors inflicted on them and within them. Surveillance camera triggers, gunshot detectors, and earthquake sensors are some of the cutting-edge technologies being deployed to complement existing tech that is already in wide usage.
New Regulations Are Being Created
Likewise, new regulations, like regular updates to Title IX rules, are being created and enforced all the time. Federal and state authorities had already been issuing mandates, guidelines, and requirements that would need mass notification to be disseminated in order to work. Some notable examples include Kari’s Law, Alyssa’s Law, NFPA 72 Chapter 24, and Ray Baum’s Act. after the pandemic is over, any new health crises that arise would be subject to mass notification alerts. Anticipating future outbreaks and building new response tools will help make common-sense measures such as wearing masks, washing hands, and practicing social distancing easier to implement.
Collaborative Tools Increase the Likelihood of Success
Speaking of tools, collaboration tools will become even more prominent. Microsoft Teams, Cisco Webex, and even Skype, Zoom, or FaceTime can help businesses maintain day-to-day operations, such as holding status meetings and interviewing new employees but without being in person. Mass notification features pre-built into tools such as these will be a tremendous boon going forward; speed and scope are critical when time is of the essence.
Interconnection Goes Beyond the Internet of Things
The Internet of Things (IoT) has been an essential part of the way many companies manage their technological assets. Just think about the proliferation of devices such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets and how they displaced pagers, PDAs, and fax machines as interlinked communication methods. A single blast to a comprehensive email list or text messaging setup can be more useful than attempting to use outdated instant messaging platforms that have fallen out of favor – even social media isn’t instantaneous.
Plus, digital signage has really taken off given how the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) has become so prevalent. In short, integration is the secret ingredient in making sure that safety, security, and ease of access to critical information becomes even more streamlined after COVID-19 is just a bad memory.
Trust the Professionals at ARK Systems
Located in Columbia, Maryland, ARK Systems provides unsurpassed quality and excellence in the security industry, from system design through to installation. We handle all aspects of security with local and remote locations. With over 30 years in the industry, ARK Systems is an experienced security contractor. Trust ARK to handle your most sensitive data storage, surveillance, and security solutions. Contact ARK Systems at 1-800-995-0189 or click here today. Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!