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Itec SA rolls out My Safe Space proof-of-concept

SMART Security Solutions introduced the My Safe Space initiative, conceptualised and steered by James Dalton and founded by the James Dalton Group. As a partner in the initiative, Itec SA launched the endeavour's first proof-of-concept (PoC) at Jeppe High School for Boys in September 2024.

Itec SA is the My Safe Space service provider and manages the finances. Itec Finance provides finance to schools on a rental model with a 0% annual escalation. Itec SA handles installing and maintaining the Guardian Columns and integrating the other technology partners' hardware, software and services. My Safe Space partners include: Vuma, Regal Security Distributors, Vumacam, Hikvision and MXTech. This is not a closed community, as Dalton explains that My Safe Space is brand agnostic.

Talton Cooke, Strategic Account Manager for Itec SA, notes that while the initiative is designed to reduce bullying and protect students, it cannot stop bullying altogether. Part of the My Safe Space plan is to create 'bully-free zones' at schools as a monitored safe space that kids can go to when they feel vulnerable, and get help.

Similarly, the project will assist learners and their parents when entering or leaving the school grounds. Hijacking is a relatively common occurrence when dropping off or fetching kids, but kidnapping is now a severe problem in the country. In fact, South Africa leads all countries in Africa in terms of the number of kidnappings occurring each day (which averages out to 51 kidnappings per day).

Cooke adds that it is not high-profile kidnappings for millions in ransom that are growing, but what is known as 'express kidnappings' where lower-income targets (including children) are kidnapped and held for a smaller ransom, for example, R10 000. This is a quick transaction with a high success rate for the criminals.

Proving the concept at Jeppe

In summary, the technology used by Itec SA in the PoC includes a Guardian Column kitted out with Hikvision cameras that collect vehicle licence plates for LPR (licence-plate recognition) analysis and visual images of the location. The data is sent via a 1 Gbps fibre line from Vuma, supplied free to schools, to the Vumacam control centre, monitored 24/7, and the licence plates matched to suspicious or stolen vehicle databases. (Vuma has already connected over 800 schools for free.)

This information creates an alert for suspicious vehicles (which may not be on a database, but act suspiciously around the school), which can be sent to private security companies and Johannesburg's Integrated Intelligence Operations Centre (IIOC). Alerts can also be sent to WhatsApp groups at the school to ensure prompt response.

The PoC at Jeppe High School for Boys included three cameras: two for LPR and one overview camera for visual verification. In addition to the connection to Vumacam, the security system is also integrated with the school's private security company, allowing the onsite guards to take action or summon armed response units. The school's internal SOPs (standard operating procedures) have also been modified to alert relevant staff trained to react in an emergency.

After the installation

In the first week after the installation, the control room received 18 alerts, one of which led to an escalation. One LPR camera picked up seven alerts to send to the control room, while the other caught 11.

Following the PoC, Jeppe indicated it would like additional columns added at other entrances to the school grounds because of the broad coverage and increased safety of all concerned.

As noted above, schools do not have to invest large amounts of capital in these projects. It is also worth noting that the My Safe Space solutions comply with PoPIA privacy laws, avoiding any potential headaches from privacy complaints.

The success of the Jeppe High School for Boys PoC has proven the value of technology in helping achieve the broader goals of the My Safe Space initiative, which is set to expand across the country. Cooke says Itec SA will grow its installed base organically at schools in Gqeberha, KZN, and Cape Town, where it already has a working relationship with the institutions, before expanding more aggressively throughout the country as corporate sponsors come on board to support schools in lower-income areas.

For more information, visit https://itecgroup.co.za/mysafespace/

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