Security technologies for schools and universities in the UAE

Educational campuses in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the broader Middle East face new challenges as the global security landscape continues to transform. Despite the region hosting some of the world’s safest cities, advancements in technology and a rise in security incidents raise concerns about the risks and threats posed to the more vulnerable segments of the population, namely students.

Learning centres across the region prioritise students’ well-being, as demonstrated by International Baccalaureate pass rates in UAE schools exceeding global averages. However, as many schools see growth in both student numbers and diversity, new obstacles emerge that could compromise their safety, potentially impacting academic results.

Traditional security models aren’t able to adapt to the rapidly evolving campus security landscape, given the increasing sophistication of cyber and physical attacks worldwide. If educational campuses want to help ensure student safety, smart security systems can be the scalable solution that helps mitigate the ever-changing risks and threats.

Mitigating evolving threats to educational campuses

Cybersecurity is one of the more pressing concerns in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), with the UAE estimating 200,000 attacks daily across the public and private sectors, including the education sector. As a global innovation hub, the country is among the first to embed artificial intelligence (AI) into the school curriculum to promote awareness and knowledge of cyberthreat mitigation.

It’s the reputation for innovation across the Gulf that is attracting some of the top minds on the planet, bringing leaders of the education industry into schools, universities and academies. However, as the region grows in academic prowess, the newfound variance also poses greater physical security risks.

Cities such as Dubai are seeing greater diversity, a stronger economy and more networking opportunities as a result of investment in quality education. But as global geopolitical tensions, economic instability and social unrest are on the rise, more threats can follow into centres that are gaining reputation, where individuals and groups can seek to damage or disrupt public facilities to advance their causes, including educational campuses.

The GCC isn’t free of the risks and threats prevalent in the current global security climate. As they continue to expand in quantity and complexity, educational campuses need to place greater emphasis on developing a security strategy that adapts to protect students and faculty better.

Leveraging smart security technology

Addressing today’s security climate means that institutions will need to become more proactive than reactive in mitigating risks and threats in the education sector. Expanding detection and response capabilities can be integral to improving campus safety measures.

Smart technology can be the catalyst for helping schools, universities and academies shape a flexible security strategy that scales and adapts to diverse needs. A unified approach, including advanced hardware and software, can help security teams obtain the resources needed to identify threats and respond more quickly, rather than addressing incidents after they occur.

Prime examples of integrating smart security technology into campuses include advanced access control, which can help security teams reduce unauthorised access to sensitive areas through biometric scanners and remote management. The devices demonstrate how to leverage technology to create a more proactive security strategy on campus.

Access control is a frontline layer that helps protect students and staff from security breaches and the associated safety risks. However, it’s part of a more comprehensive security strategy to help enhance infrastructure and continuously adapt to developing threats.

Implementing a comprehensive campus security solution

In response to the evolving security landscape, predictions are that the Middle East’s physical security market will grow significantly, rising from $81 million in 2023 to nearly $214 million in 2032. More public and private sectors continue to implement comprehensive security solutions to protect their people and assets, helping to ensure operational integrity.

Education, as one of the Gulf’s most rapidly growing sectors, is also adopting similar security strategies to help create safer learning environments and protect staff and students. Below are the core technologies helping develop these smart security solutions:

• Access control: Remotely managed access control systems can help improve protection for classrooms, storage and other important areas of a campus. Biometric scanners can reduce unauthorised access to facilities, helping mitigate security breaches.
• Video security cameras: AI-assisted video security systems can play an integral role in detecting unusual activity around the education centre. The devices can analyse visual data in real time, continuously learning to identify suspicious behaviour and enabling faster response times.
• Smart detection sensors: Devices with integrated internet of things (IoT) sensors can provide additional layers to a security strategy when visual oversight is challenging. Technology such as sound, motion and air quality sensors can help alert security personnel to unusual activity across campuses.
• Visitor management system (VMS): Platforms that log visitor activity can help create a safer study environment by recording who enters and exits campuses. VMSs enable security teams to observe who is on-site at all times, allowing a swifter, more accurate response should an incident occur.
• Data analytics: One of the main objectives of a comprehensive security solution is to provide a scalable, adaptable system that meets current safety needs. Data analytics platforms with AI-assisted algorithms can integrate with other devices, continuously analysing data to provide security planners with deep insight into how to improve campus security as circumstances change.

Securing campus security for the future

The UAE and GCC countries continue to attract top global talent, offering excellent education in innovative fields such as AI, cybersecurity and space sciences. However, as the region grows in academic reputation and becomes more diverse, both physical and cyber threats become more apparent, including on educational campuses.

Regular reports of global security incidents demonstrate that the climate is changing rapidly, with more frequent attacks involving intricate planning. Traditional security strategies can no longer mitigate the rising risks and threats.

Comprehensive security solutions supported by smart technology can be the adaptive approach needed to protect the Gulf’s education sector, scaling to meet needs and providing the insights required to keep the region an attractive study destination.