In the wake of an emergency, seconds matter. Yet, for decades, school safety has relied on a complicated patchwork of security systems (cameras, door locks, and alarms) that are often difficult to integrate, slow to deploy, and prone to human error. In a moment of crisis, when a teacher or administrator is forced to consult a checklist of procedures, the system has already failed.
The industry is now undergoing a crucial transformation, moving from complex, reactive security measures to unified, automated life-safety ecosystems. As serial entrepreneur and XSponse CEO Lee Mandel explains on the latest episode of the Innovator Insights podcast, the future of security is about minimizing human friction and maximizing speed through technology.
We dive into the three core technological shifts driving this change, pulled directly from our conversation with a true innovator in the security space.
1. The Foundation: Why POE is the New Gold Standard
The old method of security installation was a maze of cables and connections. Each device, a camera, a door lock, a panic button, needed its own power source and its own data line, making installation complex and maintenance a nightmare.
This creates a fundamental vulnerability:
“A lot of these systems are so complex to integrate and install. They all have different requirements, different cabling, and they’re all dependent on one another. And if one component fails, the whole system fails.” – Lee Mandel
The solution lies in Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology.
PoE allows a single Ethernet cable to deliver both data and electrical power to a device. Lee Mandel describes the XSponse system as a unique PoE ecosystem, where every endpoint is a node on the network.
The Critical Benefits of POE Security Systems:
- Simplified Deployment: Installation is faster and cheaper, requiring only a single cable run back to the network switch.
- Reduced Points of Failure: Since every device is independent and connected directly to the network, the failure of one component doesn’t cascade and take down the entire system.
- Enhanced Reliability: Every device gets its own IP address and is constantly monitored through the network, allowing for easy management and maintenance.
2. The Intelligence: Automated Response Technology (ART)
In a crisis, a person’s first reaction is to freeze. Relying on a human to perform a multi-step emergency protocol is unreliable.
“We base everything on muscle memory… you don’t want to take out that checklist and worry what you have to do because in the heat of the moment, no one is going to think the steps they have to take.” – Lee Mandel
This is where Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the concept of Automated Response Technology (ART) become life-saving.
ART is an event-driven system built on the principle of triggers, actions, and events. The system learns the environment and, upon receiving a trigger (e.g., a panic button activation), executes a complex, pre-programmed series of actions instantly.
The Components of Automation:
- The Trigger (Input): This can be a physical action (a staff member hitting a button on a wearable badge) or a sensor input (a gunshot detector, a vape sensor, or an AI-flagged anomaly).
- The Action (Automation): The system instantly executes a cascade of actions:
- Initiating a full building lockdown.
- Sending real-time live video feeds to first responders.
- Broadcasting a specific PA message or digital display alert.
- Pinpointing the exact location of the trigger on a map.
- Customized Response: The devices are programmable. A three-button push on a wearable device could alert a nurse for medical assistance, while an eight-button push initiates a full police lockdown. This customization ensures the response is proportionate to the emergency.
3. The Ethical Edge: Bridging Privacy and Life Safety
One of the greatest barriers to deploying advanced safety technology, particularly cameras, is the concern over privacy, especially in private spaces like classrooms.
Lee Mandel and his team at XSponse tackled this head-on by designing technology that respects privacy until a life-safety event demands otherwise.
“We’ve never actually had eyes into the classroom where the events unfortunately are typically taking place. Mainly due to privacy concerns and issues like that.” – Lee Mandel
The solution: a mechanical shutter.
Devices like the X-Shield are equipped with a patented mechanical shutter that remains physically closed, guaranteeing privacy when the cameras are not in use.
How the Shutter Protects and Responds:
- Privacy by Default: The camera shutter is closed, even if a software failure occurs.
- Event-Driven Access: Only upon a deliberate emergency activation (the trigger) will the mechanical shutter open in milliseconds, instantly sharing the live stream with authorized first responders.
- Real-Time Situational Awareness: This critical live stream gives police and medical teams seconds to assess the situation and locate the incident within four feet of the building, significantly speeding up response time when minutes, or even seconds, save lives.
Innovating for a Safer Future
The future of school and public safety is no longer about bulky, outdated hardware. It’s about an intelligent, unified ecosystem that minimizes complexity, eliminates human error, and provides first responders with the crucial information they need instantly.
This shift, driven by technologies like PoE and AI-powered automation, is how innovators like Lee Mandel are transforming the security landscape with XSponse, moving from reactive surveillance into proactive, intelligent life-safety systems.
To hear the full story of how Lee Mandel went from a technology integrator to the CEO of a next-gen life safety manufacturer, listen to the full episode of Innovator Insights.
Listen to the full interview with Lee Mandel now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, or watch the episode on our YouTube Channel
