Cutting Protection Costs in School Security Puts Occupants at Risk
- Joseph Hayes
- 3 minutes ago
- 3 min read
School security is no longer a theoretical discussion. It is a real-world responsibility that directly impacts the safety of students, teachers, and staff. In a recent LinkedIn poll, I asked a straightforward question:
When it comes to school security, what is the biggest mistake being made?
The results were clear:
Cutting protection costs: 45 percent
Waiting until after an incident: 36 percent
Policies over physical protection: 18 percent
Over-securing schools: 0 percent
Nearly half of respondents identified cutting protection costs as the most dangerous decision. This highlights a serious issue in school security planning. Cost-driven decisions are often made at the expense of verified performance and occupant safety.
The Hidden Risk of Cutting School Security Costs
When budgets tighten, physical security systems are often among the first items reduced. This can include thinner materials, downgraded assemblies, reliance on component-only testing, or systems selected primarily for cost instead of threat mitigation.
While these decisions may appear responsible on paper, they frequently introduce significant risk.
School security systems must perform under violent and unpredictable conditions.
When protection is reduced, performance is reduced, and that risk is transferred directly to the occupants of the building.
Security systems are not aesthetic features. They are engineered life-safety infrastructure.
Tested Components Versus Tested Systems
One of the most common mistakes in ballistic protection for schools is relying on tested components instead of fully tested systems.
A piece of ballistic glass may have test data. A frame profile may be analyzed. Hardware may carry individual ratings. However, real-world threats do not interact with components independently.
They attack the entire system.
True ballistic protection requires full system testing where framing, glazing, anchorage, and hardware are tested together as a single assembly. Without this level of testing, there is no assurance that the system will perform as expected during a real attack.
When specifying bullet resistant windows and doors for schools, decision-makers should always ask suppliers for test results on their tested systems, not just individual components.
Learn more about fully tested ballistic systems at:
How Cost Cutting Puts Students and Staff at Risk
When protection costs are reduced, the consequences are not theoretical. The risk is transferred directly to students, teachers, and administrators who depend on these systems for safety.
Properly engineered ballistic systems help to:
Slow or stop an active threat
Prevent forced entry into occupied spaces
Create protected areas of refuge
Buy critical response time for law enforcement
If a system fails due to inadequate testing or value engineering, there is no opportunity to correct it. Security failures do not allow second chances.
Over-Securing Schools Is Not the Problem
One of the most revealing poll results was that zero percent of respondents believed schools are being over-secured. This reinforces an important point. The concern is not about turning schools into fortresses.
The concern is about installing protection that actually works.
Modern ballistic protection systems can be discreet, architecturally integrated, and appropriate for educational environments while still delivering meaningful protection.
Investing in Proven Ballistic Protection for Schools
The takeaway from this poll is clear. Cutting protection costs may reduce upfront expenses, but it significantly increases long-term risk.
When lives are involved, school security decisions should be based on:
Verified ballistic testing
Proven system-level performance
Real-world threat scenarios
Long-term durability and reliability
Because when it comes to school security, the true cost of failure is far greater than any savings achieved on paper.
Learn more about Action Bullet Resistant solutions:
Frequently Asked Questions About School Security and Ballistic Protection
What is the biggest mistake schools make with security budgets?
Cutting protection costs reduces real-world performance. If a security system fails during an incident, the risk is transferred directly to occupants.
What is the difference between tested components and tested systems?
Tested components are individual items such as glass, frames, or hardware. Tested systems verify how framing, glazing, anchorage, and hardware perform together as a complete assembly under attack.
Why does system testing matter for schools?
Threats do not interact with components independently. System testing confirms the full assembly performs as intended under real-world conditions.
What should schools ask suppliers before specifying ballistic protection?
Schools should request test results for fully tested systems that match the configuration being specified, not just component-level test data.
What is UL 752 and why is it important?
UL 752 is a ballistic resistance standard that classifies protection levels and helps align security systems with real-world threat profiles.
Can ballistic protection be integrated without making schools feel intimidating?
Yes. Modern ballistic systems can be architecturally integrated while maintaining a welcoming educational environment.
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