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Securing Our Schools: Threat Assessments, Access Control, and Analytics

In this episode of School Safety Today, host Michelle Dawn Mooney speaks with Genetec's Bruce Canal about building comprehensive safety ecosystems in K-12 and higher education environments. They explore the formation of threat assessment teams, the role of AI and video analytics in school security, and how access control systems contribute to a stronger campus safety culture.

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By Michelle Dawn Mooney · · Bruce CanalGenetecRaptor TechnologiesSchool Safety Today
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Key takeaways

01

Threat assessment teams are a foundational component of proactive school safety strategy

02

AI and video analytics are increasingly used to identify risks and improve situational awareness on campuses

03

Access control systems and a strong security culture work together to prevent and respond to threats in educational settings

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In this episode of School Safety Today by Raptor Technologies, Michelle Dawn Mooney sat down with Bruce Canal, Executive Lead for K-12 / Higher Education at Genetec, Inc. During the conversation, they focused on several critical aspects of enhancing safety in educational environments, including threat Assessments, access Control, and analytics.

Key Takeaways:

  • The formation and importance of Threat Assessment teams
  • The role of analytics and AI in school safety
  • The significance of access control and school security culture

Bruce A. Canal, CPP, has been in the school security environment for over 25 years, most of which as an end user. He is the Executive Lead for K-12 / Higher Education at Genetec, Inc. In this capacity, he is responsible for developing and driving business strategy for the education vertical, driving brand awareness, and cultivating partnership and end-user relationships. As a subject matter expert in education, he is involved in many education-related initiatives. Bruce is the former director of physical security for the 8th largest school district in the United States, Orange County Public Schools in Orlando, FL. His first career was serving as an officer for the Indiana State Police before accepting his first school director assignment. He is accredited by ASIS International as a Certified Protection Professional and is an active member of the "School Safety and Security" community. Bruce also sits on the ASIS Foundation Scholarship Committee, is a technology committee member of the Partnership Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS K-12), sits on the board of Zero Now for higher education, and is an active member of the National School Resource Officers Association. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Indiana University and an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University.

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About the author

MD

Michelle Dawn Mooney is a media professional and host known for her work in broadcast journalism and B2B content.

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About the Experts

MD
Michelle Dawn Mooney

Host, School Safety Today

Michelle Dawn Mooney is a broadcast journalist and podcast host who covers education technology and school safety topics. She serves as the host of School Safety Today, a show produced in partnership with Raptor Technologies. Her work focuses on amplifying expert voices across the K-12 safety and education sectors.

BC
Bruce Canal

Executive Lead for K-12 / Higher Education

Genetec

Bruce A. Canal, CPP, has over 25 years of experience in school security, primarily as an end user. He previously served as Director of Physical Security for Orange County Public Schools in Orlando, FL, the 8th largest school district in the U.S., and began his career as an officer with the Indiana State Police. He holds a BS in Criminal Justice from Indiana University and an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University.

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