Over-Reliance on Technology in School Security: A Case Study

Written By Rebecca Rendahl

In recent years, schools across the nation have increasingly turned to sophisticated security systems such as AI-powered weapon detection scanners, advanced metal detectors, and comprehensive surveillance networks. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the percentage of public schools using security cameras increased from 19% in 2000 to over 80% by 2018. The global school security market also reached $2.7 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach $4.4 billion by 2025. 

While these tools can be valuable components of a security strategy, they are most effective when implemented as part of a holistic approach. The following case study illustrates how even the most advanced security measures can fail without proper support measures.

Before reading this post, we recommend checking out our companion post, Strengthening School Security: The Vital Balance Between AI Technologies and the Human Touch.

Case Study: When Technology Alone Isn't Enough

Consider this scenario from the Human Error and School Safety training by REMS (Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools), funded by the U.S. Department of Education.  This training emphasizes that relying too much on technology, such as video surveillance and AI tools, can lead to complacency and mistakes. It points out how technology can sometimes fail due to human error and stresses that technology should be one part of a larger safety strategy.

A rainy morning creates an unusually dense crowd at a high school's main entrance. The school had recently invested in state-of-the-art AI weapon detection systems and metal detectors—technology the administration had promoted as "making the school safer than ever."

A student with untreated mental health issues enters with the crowd, carrying a concealed firearm. When the detector alarms, the sole School Resource Officer (SRO) directs the student to step aside for additional screening. However, in the congestion of students attempting to get out of the rain, the student blends into the crowd and slips into the building.

Once inside, several teachers notice the student's backpack but disregard the school's "no backpack policy" because they assume he passed through the AI scanners. Within minutes, the student enters a classroom and opens fire, injuring a teacher.

Key Failures Identified

The subsequent investigation revealed multiple human factors that technology alone did not address:

  • The SRO had previously submitted reports expressing concern about inadequate staffing during high-volume entry periods—reports that remained unaddressed.

  • The security officer responsible for monitoring surveillance cameras had stepped away briefly, missing the critical moment when the student evaded secondary screening.

  • Teachers had developed a false sense of security, believing the technology would catch all threats, and did not enforce established policies.

  • The student had displayed concerning behavioral changes in the weeks prior, but without robust mental health resources, these warning signs went unaddressed.

Building a Comprehensive Security Approach

This scenario illustrates why a balanced approach is essential:

  1. Staff Training and Awareness: Equip your SROs, security teams, teachers, and administrators with the right training to reinforce that technology is a tool—not a guarantee. Our Threat Awareness for Law Enforcement, Threat Awareness for Security Professionals, and Situational Awareness for Safety programs provide comprehensive training to ensure your entire staff is prepared, rather than dependent on technology alone.

  2. Open Communication Channels: It is essential to maintain open communication and seriously consider staff reports and suggestions. Had the SRO's concerns about staffing been taken seriously and addressed, additional personnel might have been present at entry points during high-traffic periods.

  3. Positive School Climate: It is vital to foster a school environment where students feel connected and safe enough to report concerning behaviors. In a positive school climate where students feel comfortable, peers might have noticed and reported concerning behaviors about the student before the incident, creating opportunities for early intervention. 

  4. Mental Health Resources: Implementing mental health programs is crucial for addressing the root cause of the issue. A robust mental health program might have identified the student's deteriorating condition earlier, allowing for intervention before the situation escalated to violence.

  5. Regular Protocol Assessment: Schools should be regularly reviewing, adjusting and updating safety protocols. A systematic review of entry procedures could have exposed this vulnerability specific to adverse weather conditions before it was exploited.

When schools treat technology as the sole solution to safety concerns, they risk neglecting these crucial human factors. The most secure schools maintain a delicate balance between technological tools and human judgment, recognizing that each strengthens the other in creating truly safe learning environments.

Take the Next Step: Training to Keep Everyone Safe

Second Sight Training Systems provides comprehensive safety training for everyone, from law enforcement and security professionals to school staff. Our training can complement advanced security systems to ensure the safety of students and staff.

Our advanced programs—Threat Awareness for Security Professionals and Threat Awareness for Law Enforcement—will equip security staff and SROs with the ability to systematically observe any environment, assess threat levels using visible behaviors, and identify potentially threatening individuals and situations. 

Our Situational Awareness for Safety course will teach students, faculty, and staff how to better understand their surroundings and spot potential risks and hazards. These skills can improve communication with security and law enforcement teams and help everyone be more prepared to stay safe.

Click the button below to learn more about our course offerings for schools.

Rebecca Rendahl
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