School Security: NYS ASBO Education Summit
The NYS ASBO Education Summit gathered education and operations leaders from across the state, offering valuable insight into the evolving concerns schools face and reaffirming the urgent need for integrated, future-ready security strategies.
For Chimera Integrations, these conversations weren’t new, but they were validating. We’ve seen firsthand how school security needs have outpaced traditional systems. The summit reinforced what we already know: districts are looking for expert partners who don’t just sell equipment, but help them think bigger, plan smarter, and protect what matters most.
“Attending the NYS ASBO Education Summit reaffirmed the critical role security plays in today’s learning environments. Connecting with school leaders and showcasing Chimera’s integrated solutions reminded us why our work matters, protecting students, staff, and the future of education.”
-Cyle Farwell | Chimera’s Business Development Manager
Integration Is No Longer Optional. It’s Urgent.
Many schools still rely on fragmented, aging systems: standalone cameras, unconnected access control, and outdated emergency response plans. But today’s threats move fast, and outdated systems can’t keep up.
A modern approach to school safety means unifying your technology. Access control, surveillance, lockdown tools, and mass notification systems should all work together. This kind of integration enables faster decision making, streamlined communication with first responders, and complete visibility across campus because in a crisis, clarity matters.
Chimera’s Approach: Purpose, Not Products
Chimera is vendor agnostic, which means we’re free to design systems around each school’s actual needs, not a pre packaged solution. We work with trusted manufacturers across the security industry and customize every design to your environment, your budget, and your long term goals.
Our team includes former law enforcement, school security directors, and technical specialists who understand both the technology and the day to day challenges schools face. We don’t just talk about safety. We engineer it to fit into your real world.
What Schools Are Really Up Against
A major challenge echoed throughout the summit is that schools are doing their best to address 2024 level threats with infrastructure from a decade (or more) ago. That disconnect leaves critical vulnerabilities.
And while budget constraints are real, more equipment isn’t always the answer. Smarter, connected systems make existing tools more effective. With a phased plan and the right partner, even limited upgrades can lead to big improvements in awareness, response time, and day to day confidence.
Schools are also beginning to feel the pressure of cybersecurity. With the rise of cloud-based platforms, mobile access credentials, and remote administration, physical security and digital security are rapidly converging. Tomorrow’s safest campuses will be the ones that treat both as one integrated system.
Final Takeaway: Start Before It’s Critical
The most secure schools aren’t necessarily the ones with the most tech. They’re the ones where people, process, and systems are in sync.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to enhance what’s already in place, the best time to act is before something forces your hand. Start with a walkthrough. Identify the gaps. Build a plan. And partner with a team that knows how to help you grow into it.
