The behind-the-scenes work of school IT departments during software implementation can quickly slow down other essential projects, especially if they’re brought in at the last minute.
When IT is part of the conversation early, districts can modernize school safety systems without disrupting their core responsibilities. Products designed to protect sensitive information, mitigate risks, and streamline daily processes help technology teams stay focused on what matters most.
Here are four reasons why IT professionals appreciate integrated and secure platforms:
1. Simplified IT Management with Centralized Control
“One of the biggest benefits of the Raptor System is how easy the setup process is given that the data talks between the modules. Additionally, our department doesn’t have to navigate multiple dashboards to update and maintain the information since it’s all in one place. The ‘single pane of glass’ theory really does apply to Raptor.” Troy Seyfort, Director of Technology at Menomonee Falls School District
An integrated platform gives IT a single source of truth, saving time and simplifying oversight.
IT staff can administer global and product-specific settings from one central area, instead of moving between separate products to make adjustments or configurations.
2. Unmatched Data Security and Privacy
Every school IT team faces continuous cybersecurity threats and must protect sensitive data under strict state and federal privacy laws, paying particular attention to those regulations focused on protecting student data.
Key considerations for software security and privacy include:
- True single sign-on (SSO) through Google Authenticator to ensure authorized access only, allowing staff to use familiar login credentials and reducing IT interventions for password management.
- Customizable user roles with automated provisioning to Active Directory for easy, role-based access management.
- SOC2 Type 2 compliance for both Privacy and Security, giving sensitive data—including personal identifiable information (PII) for staff and students—the most comprehensive level of protection under the Systems and Organization Controls (SOC) protocol.
“Cybersecurity and student data privacy is a huge portion of what we do every single day. When we began looking for a visitor management system to meet new state requirements for data security, I looked at Raptor and also saw the emergency management piece, which we hadn’t been thinking about previously. Anytime I can put a couple of eggs in one basket with a single partner and know that both our data and safety needs are being met, I’m always more apt to do that than to fracture our relationships across multiple partners. It makes support so much simpler.” Gary Lambert, Director of 21st Century Learning at Beekmantown Central School District
Protecting the security and privacy of customer information should include:
- A standardized risk management process led by the Security and Compliance Program Manager and overseen by top-level management
- Annual assessments of service providers to manage third-party security controls based on business risk
- Encryption of data at rest and in transit;
- Regular vulnerability scanning and web-application penetration testing
- Business-continuity and disaster-recovery plans that are maintained and periodically tested
3. Asset Management Made Easy
Badge-based panic-alert systems often require expensive hardware and complex asset management.
For example, proprietary mesh networks require the purchase of expensive, single-purpose dedicated hardware that must be installed, maintained, and eventually updated lest it become obsolete. They aren’t a one-time purchase, but rather a commitment to ongoing expenses.
Fully integrated, software-based systems, by contrast, cost significantly less to deploy and maintain. They reduce total ownership costs by more than half compared with single-purpose hardware systems—which are limited to one type of emergency response—and can be updated without replacing entire units. App-based solutions are not only more flexible, but also far more cost effective.
“When we installed the software we used previously, we’d have to do it not only on every PC as an application, but on every individual user’s profile on that PC. It was constant intervention on our part, so it was a huge relief when we moved to Raptor and never had to deal with that cumbersome process again.” Gary Lambert, Director of 21st Century Learning at Beekmantown Central School District
4. Support That Simplifies New Technology Integration
With hands-on collaboration and in-person training, school staff gain a deeper understanding of how the technology functions and how it supports district-wide safety initiatives. Strong engagement drives strong adoption and long-term success.
Additional in-person training allows school staff to collaborate directly with training professionals and helps align the software with each district’s culture and safety goals.
“Raptor checks all of the boxes and is available to be purchased with SPAT grant money that the state has offered. And, not to mention, the implementation and customer service that we received from Raptor was excellent.” Scott Rogers, Superintendent at Brazos ISD
The Raptor Difference: Centralized and Secure
Protecting your students’ and staff’s data often starts with choosing the right technology partners. That’s why maintaining the security of our customers’ sensitive data is one of Raptor’s top priorities.
“Our approach includes enforcing robust, industry-standard controls designed to safeguard customer information while ensuring the integrity and availability of our systems.” — Wyman Lewis, Chief Information Security Officer at Raptor Technologies
Not only are we committed to making it easier for school IT teams to manage tools, data privacy, and assets all in one secure, centralized environment, we’re always assessing and improving our own data security and compliance practices.
To provide our customers the best protection, Raptor has implemented:
- Service Organization Control (SOC) Type 2 Examination
- Monitoring of System Activity
- Data Management and Storage
- Data Privacy and Compliance
- Employee Training
- Incident Response and Notification
- A Commitment to Transparency and Security
Learn How Raptor Can Help
The importance of integrated school safety technologies cannot be overstated. Raptor’s solutions are tailored for the educational sector, creating safer, more efficient learning environments.
To learn more about how Raptor can simplify your school’s IT workloads and strengthen safety infrastructure, download our free guide.
Related Resources
GUIDE: THE ROLE OF IT STAFF IN MODERNIZING SCHOOL SAFETY
Considerations To Streamline Safety and Security Demands on School Technology Departments
Webinar
