i-Pro’s ClassSecure: Smarter Classroom Security

i-PRO’s ClassSecure: A School Safety Solution Designed with Discretion

i-PRO recently unveiled the ClassSecure Safety System, a school security solution designed to address the sensitive needs of the education sector. This system distinguishes itself by offering tailored features that prioritize both safety and privacy.

ClassSecure incorporates advanced technology alongside user-friendly elements, creating a comprehensive classroom security system that integrates into a school’s existing security infrastructure. It also works seamlessly with third-party platforms to ensure the protection of students and staff.

To delve deeper into the ClassSecure Safety System, we spoke with Adam Lowenstein, Americas Product Director at i-PRO, in an exclusive interview.

The Genesis of ClassSecure: Addressing School Security Gaps

Q: Can you share the inspiration behind ClassSecure? What specific challenges in school security led to its development, and what hurdles did you encounter in bringing this unique solution to market?

Adam Lowenstein: ClassSecure emerged in response to the growing momentum of Alyssa’s Law. We recognized a critical need for rapid response during emergencies while maintaining privacy at all other times. The law aims to expedite first responder access to classrooms. However, existing solutions often proved too isolated, complex, or intrusive. Teachers and administrators need simple solutions during crises, and parents don’t want constant surveillance in classrooms.

We designed an end-to-end solution to address these concerns while complying with Alyssa’s Law. Our goal was to provide instant communication and visual confirmation for first responders without compromising privacy. The main technical challenge involved integrating panic alerts, video, and mass notifications into a seamless, unobtrusive process.

Striking the Balance: Real-Time Security, Compliance, and Privacy

Q: Schools seek safety solutions that don’t feel like surveillance. How does ClassSecure balance real-time security, compliance, and privacy?

Lowenstein: Our core principle was to keep classroom cameras off by default. With ClassSecure, the camera remains in Privacy Mode with the lens concealed and the screen black unless the panic button is activated. The PTZ sensor physically rotates from behind a privacy screen to provide a view of the classroom. This ensures a “live” feed without delays from booting up or connecting to an IP network.

When an emergency alert is triggered, the system activates, providing live situational awareness. This approach assures teachers, parents, and administrators that privacy is maintained daily while enabling first responders to access critical information during emergencies.

NovoTrax Integration: A Unified Approach to Safety

Q: Tell us about the integration of ClassSecure with NovoTrax’s unified life safety and mass notification platform. How does it work technically, and how did this collaboration come about? Is ClassSecure a direct result of it?

Lowenstein: Our collaboration with NovoTrax was a natural progression. They had established a strong reputation with their EduTrax platform for unifying life safety and notification systems. Integrating this with classroom video was a logical step.

Technically, ClassSecure runs natively on NovoTrax’s platform, allowing panic alerts, live video and audio, location data, and door lockdowns to be coordinated in a single workflow. The comprehensive solution includes VideoInsight VMS, EduTrax, MonitorCast access control, Bluetooth panic button, microphone, and the ClassSecure camera. The primary advantage is the seamless integration of these components. While the NovaTrax partnership wasn’t solely for ClassSecure, this product represents the first tangible outcome of our combined technologies.

i-PRO’s Vision: Comprehensive Safety Solutions

Q: How does ClassSecure align with i-PRO’s broader vision for security solutions, and where does it fit within your existing product lineup for education and other vertical markets?

Lowenstein: ClassSecure signifies a shift at i-PRO from providing cameras to delivering complete end-to-end safety solutions for schools. Districts can now deploy a portfolio that includes fixed and body-worn cameras, the intuitive VideoInsight VMS, MonitorCast access control, classroom panic buttons, and privacy-protected cameras. Our partnership with NovoTrax reinforces i-PRO’s open approach, extending EduTrax SaaS with integrations to third-party systems like two-way radios, audio intercoms, flat panel displays, and more.

Market Launch and Pricing Strategy

Q: Do you have a specific region or state in mind for the initial launch of ClassSecure? Where are you planning to expand later? What will the pricing structure be?

Lowenstein: We are initially focusing on U.S. states where Alyssa’s Law is enacted or pending, as schools in these areas have a pressing need and available funding. We anticipate nationwide and even international opportunities as silent panic systems become standard practice.

ClassSecure will be offered as a complete solution through authorized partners trained in its deployment. Each installation will be customized to the district’s specific needs, with a straightforward model that includes hardware, training, and support, rather than complex recurring license fees.

The ClassSecure Camera: Purpose-Built for the Classroom

Q: What camera model is included with the ClassSecure system? What capabilities does it include or exclude, and what hardware adaptations have been made for classroom use?

Lowenstein: The classroom camera is a new design based on our PTZ cameras but specifically tailored for this application. It offers the reliability of an i-PRO PTZ with deliberate limitations, such as no continuous recording or idle streaming. Its sole purpose is to activate during emergencies and provide a clear, secure view of the classroom.

This required redesigning the housing, lens concealment, and user interface to ensure it feels like a safety device rather than a surveillance tool. ClassSecure also includes a microphone for real-time audio during activation. Like all our cameras, it comes with a 7-year warranty in North America.

Emergency Workflow: Seamless Integration for Rapid Response

Q: Can you walk us through a typical emergency workflow using ClassSecure? What happens when a teacher activates the camera, and how does it integrate with broader campus safety and security systems?

Lowenstein: When a teacher presses the panic button, law enforcement and school staff are immediately notified via the EduTrax platform. The classroom camera switches from privacy mode to live streaming video and audio for first responders. First responders receive alerts and streaming access via their ResponderTrax application.

Integrated functions like door lockdowns or campus-wide alerts can be triggered automatically. Other fixed or body-worn cameras on campus can be integrated into the incident view, providing a unified picture. The goal is to eliminate delays and guesswork for responders.

User-Friendly Design: Simplicity in Stressful Situations

Q: Teachers and school staff aren’t security experts. What steps have you taken to make the camera system easy to understand, install, and use, especially under stressful conditions?

Lowenstein: ClassSecure is designed with the understanding that teachers aren’t security professionals. The panic button is simple, discreet, and designed for intuitive use. Certified partners handle installation and training, ensuring that teachers only need to press the button for help. Notifications, video activation, and coordination all happen automatically in the background.

Customization and Additional Features

Q: Beyond activating the camera and alerting law enforcement, what other user controls and features does ClassSecure offer? What customization options are available for school security professionals?

Lowenstein: ClassSecure supports different levels of alerting beyond the core panic alert and video workflow. The system can be configured to respond differently based on a short or long press of the panic button. A short press could summon the school resource officer and school administrators, while a long press would alert law enforcement directly.

This ensures that law enforcement isn’t called accidentally but still provides teachers and staff with necessary assistance. The system is designed to scale, offering a more comprehensive ecosystem, including our MonitorCast access control and advanced AI features within the i-PRO VideoInsight VMS for forensic research on campus events.

The Future of School Security: Technology and Responsibility

Q: Looking ahead, what developments do you foresee in school security? What role can advanced security technology play in this highly regulated field?

Lowenstein: We anticipate continued regulatory pressure and rapid technological advancements. Cloud integration will enhance coordination across agencies, while edge AI will make systems smarter without compromising bandwidth or privacy. The key is to implement these technologies responsibly, aligning with standards like ISO/IEC 42001 for AI governance, building on open platforms, and balancing safety with trust.

There’s also an opportunity to improve emergency training plans by reviewing event logs to enhance response times. The next generation of technology in education must support teachers and students without feeling intrusive.