The Changing Face of School Security: An Allegion Podcast

S1 Ep. 12 Digital Citizenship and the Next Generation: The Intersection of Cyber and Physical Security

Cybersecurity and online safety are more important than ever in today’s digital age. Today’s youth probably doesn’t remember a time when the world wasn’t digitally connected. The onset of the Internet as an everyday tool has opened a world of opportunities, both positive and potentially harmful. 
With schools incorporating more digital tools into their daily routines, students and educators alike have a greater opportunity—and necessity to learn about cyber safety. 
Continuing the topic of cybersecurity, Antoinette King, CISSP, PSP, DPPS, SICC joined Paul Timm in this episode of The Changing Face of School Security to discuss cybersecurity education in schools, with an emphasis on digital citizenship and online safety, converging physical and cyber safety in the digital age, and the impact of the digital world on physical safety and mental health. 

S1 Ep. 11 Empowering Educators: Teaching Cybersecurity in the Digital Age with CISA

Technology as an everyday tool has created more complex and diverse cybersecurity threats in our nation than ever before. Since it's become an integral part of learning in schools, it’s important for educators to learn and teach the importance of cybersecurity and help mitigate the threats we face. 
The government saw a need for accessible materials covering school safety, and SchoolSafety.gov was born. There, school leaders can find evidence-backed resources on topics like cyberbullying, mental health, school violence, threat assessments and more. 
Don Hough of CISA joined Paul Timm in this episode of The Changing Face of School Security to discuss the role of CISA in school safety and SchoolSafety.gov, cybersecurity in school security, and the evolving threats that schools face, including targeted violence. 

S1 Ep. 10 Her Final Words: From a Nightmare, New Hope Blooms

“I love u guys.” 
These were the last four words Ellen and John-Michael Keyes received from their daughter, Emily Keyes, in a text message on the day she was held hostage and then killed in the Platte Canyon High School shooting. 
For victims’ families and friends, this is a real-life nightmare. And for the Keyes, this nightmare was their catalyst in creating a nationwide organization led by those affected by and with an interest in school safety. 
John-Michael joined Paul Timm in this episode of The Changing Face of School Security to discuss the mission of the I Love U Guys Foundation, the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) and the Standard Reunification Method (SRM), and the importance of emotional health in schools, supported by a “Dashboard of Wellness”. 

S1 Ep. 9 Building Resilient Schools: Protecting Student Mental Health & Safety

When COVID-19 first made waves, it caused a major disruption in schools and in turn, greatly affected students’ mental health and behaviors. 
Student mental health is a growing cause for concern today, not just for the students themselves, but for overall school safety. It’s important that schools have protocols in place to prevent and respond to threats, bullying, and violence appropriately. That’s where a behavioral threat assessment model can be valuable.
In this episode of The Changing Face of School Security, Dr. Melissa Reeves, Ph.D., NCSP, LCMHC, and expert in mental health and behavioral counseling in schools, joined host Paul Timm to discuss behavioral threat assessments, Dr. Reeves’ professional experience in school crisis prevention and intervention, and programs that aim to support mental health in schools, especially for at-risk students. 

S1 Ep. 8 Adapting School Security: From the PASS(t) into the Future

No two schools are alike, and while best practices surrounding safety can apply to most situations, no security plan is one-size-fits-all. School security requires a specialized, careful approach and planning.
That’s where The Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS) comes in. PASS brings together educators, public officials, and industry experts to develop a coordinated approach to K-12 safety using proven practices, education and free resources.
In this episode of The Changing Face of School Security, Chuck Wilson, the co-founder and chairman of the Board of Directors for PASS, joined host Paul Timm to discuss the origin, mission, and growth of PASS over the years, significant changes in school security protocols, including thermal imaging and vape detection, and his predictions for the evolution of school security in the coming years.

S1 Ep. 7 Advocacy for Advanced Tech: Emerging School Safety and Security

As technology evolves, so must the ways we secure our schools. But how do you determine the right solutions for your facility?
In response to critical events or emergencies, schools may feel pressured to act quickly when it comes to safety and security. While it’s important to respond to such concerns, many schools are left with equipment that’s outdated or not effective for their specific needs.
In this episode of The Changing Face of School Security, James Marcella, the Director of Industry Associations for Axis Communications, joined host Paul Timm to discuss the value of K-12 advocacy organizations in safety & security, applications for video surveillance technology in access control and the importance of integrating technology into operational planning.

S1 Ep. 6 Beyond the Badge: NASRO’s Mission to Enhance School Security

School security is a complex issue requiring support and guidance from experts. That’s where organizations like the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) comes in.
School Resource Officers (SROs) are important fixtures in schools. Not only do they aim to create a safe day-to-day school environment, they are also crucial to planning and implementing long-term security measures. They help take this responsibility off the hands of teachers and staff.
Not just anyone can be an SRO, however. The role requires extensive training, knowledge, and commitment to school safety and security.
In this episode of The Changing Face of School Security, Mo Canady, Executive Director of NASRO, joined host Paul Timm to discuss NASRO's mission partnerships and instructional offerings and trends that involve and affect school resource officers.

S1 Ep. 5 90 Minutes, No Lives Lost: Molly Hudgens’ Story

September 28, 2016, started as a typical school day for Molly Hudgens, a guidance counselor at Sycamore Middle School. That is, until an eighth-grade student approached her office with a fully loaded handgun and a plan to harm people on campus. After 90 minutes that felt like hours, Molly was able to disarm the student, but struggled to communicate with the School Resource Officer or call for help. Her careful actions and thoughtful communication tactics ultimately aided her that day, preventing a potentially tragic event from happening. In this episode of The Changing Face of School Security, Molly joined host Paul Timm to discuss her firsthand experience preventing the Sycamore Middle School shooting, the importance of communication and School Resource Officers, and how to support students beyond the classroom and into adulthood. 

S1 Ep. 4 From FBI to School Security: Combatting Swatting and Improving Safety in Education

After 23 years in the FBI, Jin Kim decided he wasn’t done advocating for safety and joined Safe and Sound Schools to continue his passion in school security. 
In recent years, Jin saw that schools and law enforcement had issues with security and “swatting”, or prank calls made to emergency services to falsely report violence or threats to dispatch armed officers. Not only does this waste time and resources, it creates fear and the potential for danger, even if no threat is present. From there, Jin made it his mission to educate schools and law enforcement on tactical readiness and active shooter response training. 
Jin joined host Paul Timm on The Changing Face of School Security to discuss his journey from FBI to school safety activist, the issues with “swatting”, and his recommended best practices during school shooting events. 

S1 Ep. 3 How Technology is Making Schools Safer—and Bullying Easier

Kids aren’t just facing bullying in-person—it’s also from behind their phone and computer screens. 
Jeff Bean started his career in school safety as a School Resource Officer (SRO) during his time as a police officer. As concerns for safety changed and grew, he started SafeSchools4All, an educational resource for parents, faculty, administrators and students that aims to create safe school environments. 
When technology changes and grows, it can enhance security but also foster unsafe environments for students. SafeSchools4All helps parents and teachers stay up to date on topics involving bullying and other safety issues, providing guidance on discussions with kids. 
Jeff also advocates for the use of security technology, especially for student Chromebooks or other electronic devices. Listen to learn his perspective on the changing environment of school security.