Chicago Public Schools Physical Security System

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is the second-largest school district in the United States, serving 361,000 children, and the second-largest employer in Illinois with more than 45,000 employees. The CPS system operates more than 600 locations, including 500 pre-K–12 schools and alternative learning centers along with other support centers and administrative offices. With 75 percent of the student body coming from an economically disadvantaged background, CPS’ vision is that every student in every neighborhood will be engaged in a rigorous, well-rounded instructional program and graduate prepared for success in college, career, and life.

CPS’ Board of Education trusted Sentinel Technologies and Level-1 Global Solutions with system-wide technology and network security upgrades to help enhance their digital learning capabilities and communications and keep Chicago’s students safe. CPS also required a major network infrastructure overhaul to keep pace with rapid changes in technology and improve the security, reliability, and performance of its critical infrastructure and assets. Outdated network equipment at the schools needed upgrading to current Board of Education standards to ensure greater network stability, additional bandwidth, remote management capabilities, and increased WAN/LAN security and network performance.

In partnership with Dell and Sentinel, Level-1 has replaced CPS’ older analog cameras with a modern surveillance system to monitor 600+ schools and facilities throughout the city of Chicago using a network of more than 4,000 cameras. Level-1 lead and managed the design and deployment of new security camera and access control systems to integrate with CPS’ existing Genetec Security Center system. This included coordinating and supervising the work of multiple vendors and contractors and supporting all project management and installation, configuration, and maintenance services as well as troubleshooting, diagnostic and problem resolution services.