School Safety and Security

The goal of our visitor management system is to help keep students and staff safe by verifying the identity of visitors entering the building. When a government-issued ID is scanned, the system captures only the information needed to verify identity and record a visit.

Verkada’s system uses Checkr, a trusted third-party service, to screen visitors against public safety databases including:

• National Sex Offender Registries
• Government Watch Lists
• Criminal Records such as Department of Corrections, Fugitives, FBI Most Wanted, and Interpol records

If a match is confirmed during a safety check, the retained information can include the visitor’s name, date of birth, image of the ID, address, and badge photo. All data is encrypted both in transit and at rest using AES-256 encryption and TLS protocols, the same standards used for online banking.

Data is stored in secure, U.S.-based data centers through Amazon Web Services (AWS), which holds multiple independent security certifications such as SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, ISO 27017, ISO 27018, and FedRAMP (in progress).

We regularly evaluate all technology systems and applications used in our schools, including those selected and used by extracurricular programs. 

In every case, the goal is to protect student privacy, comply with state and federal laws, and ensure that the technology we support meets district safety and data security standards. These same standards have guided our implementation of the visitor management system.

If a parent or guardian does not have an ID available or prefers not to scan one, office staff can verify identity manually by checking the student information system, confirming with a staff member, or referencing a pre-approved guest list.

Although the system relies on government-issued IDs to ensure accurate verification, the accommodation provided here provides flexibility to remain respectful and inclusive for all visitors.

Visitor records and ID images are stored for 90 days based on the district’s current retention setting. Verkada’s system allows districts to define this timeframe to balance safety, recordkeeping, and privacy. After that period, the data is automatically deleted from the system.

No. Neither Verkada nor the Chelsea School District sells, shares, or grants access to any visitor information to third parties (including law enforcement or immigration agencies) unless explicitly required by law.

Chelsea School District’s system is used only for visitor management and is entirely independent of any law enforcement use cases. Verkada does not share or exchange data with other customers and complies with all applicable privacy and security laws.

Verkada follows all applicable privacy and data protection laws and ensures that each organization’s data is completely separate and inaccessible to other customers. All data collected through CSD’s system remains private, stored securely, and under the district’s control.

If a visitor is incorrectly flagged during screening, school staff can review, override, and clear the alert immediately. The system does not automatically deny entry; it simply provides information for staff to make an informed decision. If an error is found, staff can update the record to prevent future false flags.

Verkada does not share or store permanent “watch lists” between schools or customers. Each district’s screening data is independent and privately managed.

The system does not collect or verify citizenship or immigration information. 
The system’s purpose is to confirm that visitors entering a school are identified for safety purposes.

Parents or guardians without a government-issued ID can still check in through alternate methods such as staff confirmation, pre-approved guest lists, or manual name entry. 

No one will be denied entry solely because they do not have a specific form of ID.