Security 101, a national provider of integrated security solutions, launched Safe Learning 101, a new program developed in collaboration with Wayne Black, a nationally recognized school security expert, who spoke with Security magazine about his involvement with the initiative.

Safe Learning 101 brings together consulting expertise and the ability to design, implement and support proactive security strategies and modern infrastructure, establishing a program that formally unites an independent school security authority with a nationally scaled integrator. “It’s a dual approach: Let’s figure out what you need first, and then we’re going to implement those things as best as that school can get the resources to do,” said Kirk Evans, director of sales, Security 101.

Safe Learning 101 supports schools at every stage of their security maturity, from those with minimal infrastructure or limited budgets to districts seeking modernization, proactive tools or system consolidation. The program creates an expert-guided security framework that helps schools identify vulnerabilities and implement practical improvements before incidents occur. 

“It’s all about the starting point for us,” Evans said. “Traditional systems are often driven by a specific need without a full understanding of how those systems fit into the broader security strategy. For example, one company comes in and brings cameras, another company comes in and brings access, another company comes in and does weapons detection, but they’re all not talking to each other, or they all haven’t thought through other considerations. How is it going to talk with the lighting? How is it going to talk with the gate systems? All of those things need to be thought through with a broader security strategy. With Safe Learning 101, we begin with an independent assessment and prioritization. Technology becomes part of the solution, not the solution itself.”

The program combines strategic planning tailored to each school’s environment, culture and resource constraints; technology design and deployment delivered by Security 101’s engineering and integration teams; and grant preparation and RFP development support. Security 101 then designs, installs and supports the integrated security systems that bring the consultant’s recommendations to life.

“We’re good at the technology, and we’re good at what we do, but there are parts of the school risk assessment that aren’t our expertise,” Evans said. “Historically, we’ve been brought in after key decisions have already been made. This program allows us to engage earlier in the process, helping customers define their risk, prioritize their needs and align solutions and outcomes, not just specifications.”

Security 101 partnered with Wayne Black — who has conducted hundreds of school security evaluations across the country, authored School (IN)Security and served as an expert in several high-profile school violence cases, including Parkland and Uvalde — to tap into the parts of the school that aren’t within the team’s realm of expertise. “We are not trying to consult people on things that we don’t have an expertise in, so we’re bringing in experts in a combined effort to work together with them,” Evans said. “It’s a holistic approach for us to work together and start from the beginning and do it right.”

Black’s firm, Wayne Black & Associates, advises school systems, law firms, law enforcement agencies and public sector leaders on threat assessment, risk mitigation and emergency preparedness.

“There are many reasons children get hurt in schools, but there is not one good reason,” Black said. “With the Safe Learning 101 approach, we give schools a clear, independent path forward, identifying risks, prioritizing what matters most and implementing practical steps that prevent violence before it happens.”

Safe Learning 101 is the first launch of Safe Systems 101, Security 101’s new program designed to scale independently-led, vertically-tailored security initiatives across multiple industries.

While Safe Learning 101 is the flagship program, Security 101 plans to expand the Safe Systems 101 framework into additional sectors where organizations face rising operational risk, tightening compliance requirements and a growing need for strategic security partnerships. These include healthcare, government, multifamily environments and other high-risk or highly regulated verticals.

“Safe Learning 101 is the foundation for a broader framework we’re building across multiple verticals,” Evans explained. “In education, we expect the program to continue evolving as new technologies emerge and as schools place greater emphasis on proactive perimeter-based security and early detection. More broadly, this model of combining independent expertise and scalable implementation can be applied to other sectors facing similar challenges.”

Over time, Security 101’s goal is to create a portfolio of vertically focused programs that help organizations move from reactive security to proactive risk management.

“This program reflects exactly who we are today,” said Greg Daly, CEO, Security 101. “We’re combining the national reach and technical capability of a major integrator with the flexibility, personalization and concierge-level service that sets us apart. Safe Learning 101 gives schools a trusted, independent foundation to build on, and the ability to take immediate steps toward a safer environment.”