Since 1985ISO 27001 compliantPublic sector: GSA · CMAS · TESMA

LA 562-298-5000 · Chicagoland 312-432-5300 · Phoenix 602-733-6807 · Client Support

Education · K-12 Districts, Colleges & Universities

School Security, IT & Secure AI for K-12 Districts and Campuses

BTI Communications Group designs, installs and manages the technology that keeps students and staff safe and learning: secure AI, managed IT and cybersecurity, Meraki and Catalyst networks, Teams calling, paging and mass notification, and integrated video, access control and intrusion detection for multi-campus districts, colleges and universities.

  • One partner for campus safety, network, voice and cybersecurity
  • Lockdown, paging and mass notification tied to access control and video
  • Network and Wi-Fi projects aligned to E-Rate Category Two eligibility
  • Purchasing through GSA, CMAS and TESMA contracts
Schedule a Campus Safety AssessmentTalk to an Education Engineer
Since 198540 years in business
Since the 2010sIntegrated security
ISO 27001Compliant
GSA · CMAS · TESMAContract awardee
24/7 SOCManaged detection & response
1 business dayEngineer reply
At a glance

Integrated Technology and Safety for Education

BTI Communications Group is an integrated technology partner for school districts, colleges and universities. We combine secure AI, managed IT and cybersecurity with a 24/7 SOC, Cisco Meraki and Catalyst networks with Ekahau-validated Wi-Fi, Teams calling, paging and mass notification, and video, access control and intrusion detection, so a lockdown, a ransomware alert or a Wi-Fi outage is handled by one accountable team. In business since 1985, ISO 27001 compliant, and a GSA, CMAS and TESMA contract awardee.

The challenge

Challenges Districts and Campuses Bring to BTI

Ransomware and Student Data Exposure

Schools hold student records protected by FERPA and remain frequent ransomware targets, often with small IT teams covering many sites.

Slow, Disconnected Emergency Response

Lockdown buttons, door hardware, PA systems and cameras from different vendors that do not talk to each other cost seconds when it matters.

Wi-Fi That Fails at Testing Time

One-to-one devices, online assessments and dense classrooms expose coverage gaps that were never surveyed.

Aging Phones and Paging

Legacy PBX and intercom systems without reliable E911 location data or campus-wide notification.

AI Adoption Without Guardrails

Staff and students already use AI tools; districts need approved tools, data protection and clear policy.

Funding and Procurement Rules

E-Rate cycles, bond programs, grants and cooperative contracts each bring their own documentation demands.

One integrated program

Integrated Education Technology and Campus Safety

Every system below can be delivered on its own, but the real value is integration: an access-control lockdown that triggers paging, desktop alerts and camera call-ups at once, on a network built and monitored by the same team.

Secure AI & Copilot Governance

Approved AI workspaces, data-loss controls, permissions clean-up and usage policies so staff can use AI without exposing regulated data. See AI services and AI security, governance & risk.

Managed IT & Cybersecurity

Managed or co-managed IT and managed cybersecurity with 24/7 SOC monitoring delivered with high-security enterprise partners, endpoint detection and response, vulnerability management and incident response. Content filtering and Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace protection support CIPA and FERPA obligations.

Network Infrastructure & Wi-Fi

Cisco Meraki and Catalyst switching, routing and SD-WAN, with Ekahau predictive design and post-install validation surveys for dependable coverage. See our Cisco Meraki partner services and Meraki Wi-Fi.

Communications, Paging & Mass Notification

Microsoft Teams Phone calling with E911 location data, contact center, overhead IP paging and mass notification that reaches desk phones, speakers, displays and mobile devices together.

Video Surveillance & AI Analytics

Enterprise video from leading manufacturers, including Bosch as an authorized video dealer, plus YourSix cloud video and AI video analytics for faster search, alerts and multi-site visibility.

Access Control & Intrusion Detection

Card, mobile and lockdown-capable access control, visitor management and intrusion and alarm systems, integrated with video so every event comes with context.

GlobalView Managed Support

After go-live, GlobalView monitors and maintains IT, voice and security systems with proactive health checks, firmware management and defined service levels.

Request a District Technology Review

Compliance support

Education Compliance and Funding Requirements We Support

BTI maps technical controls and documentation to the regulations and programs districts and campuses answer to.

RequirementWhat it asks of youHow BTI helps
FERPA (20 U.S.C. 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99)Protect the privacy of student education records and control disclosure.Identity and access controls, MFA, encryption, logging and data-loss prevention around systems that hold student records.
CIPA (Children’s Internet Protection Act)Schools and libraries receiving E-Rate discounts for internet access or internal connections must certify an internet safety policy with technology protection measures (filtering).Content filtering design, policy enforcement across campus Wi-Fi and devices, and reporting to support certification.
FCC E-Rate (Category Two)E-Rate discounts eligible internal connections such as Wi-Fi access points, switches, routers and firewalls, within program rules and budgets.Meraki and Catalyst designs, Ekahau surveys and bills of materials scoped to eligible Category Two equipment, plus documentation for your E-Rate consultant or filing team.
California comprehensive school safety plans (Ed. Code 32280–32289.5)California K-12 schools must adopt and annually review a comprehensive school safety plan.Access control, lockdown, mass notification and video designs that support the procedures in your plan. See our California school safety plan guide.
California SB 553 (Labor Code 6401.9)Since July 1, 2024, most California employers, including school employers, must maintain a written workplace violence prevention plan, a violent incident log and training.Duress buttons, visitor management, video and alerting that support the hazard controls and incident documentation in your plan.
E911 rules (Kari’s Law and RAY BAUM’S Act)Multi-line telephone systems must allow direct 911 dialing, notify on-site staff, and convey dispatchable location.Teams Phone and paging designs with direct dialing, on-site notification and building, floor and room location data.

Sources: U.S. Department of Education (studentprivacy.ed.gov), FCC (fcc.gov/consumers/guides/childrens-internet-protection-act and the E-Rate program), California Department of Education and Cal/OSHA (dir.ca.gov). Requirements vary by state and institution type. BTI supports your compliance program with technical controls, documentation and evidence; it does not provide legal advice, and your organization remains responsible for its compliance determinations.

How we deliver

How BTI Delivers District and Campus Projects

Assess

Site walks, risk and compliance review, network and security inventory across every location.

Design

A written roadmap covering architecture, standards, phasing, budget and compliance evidence.

Deploy

Certified engineers and project managers stage installs by site to protect operations.

Integrate

Video, access, alerts, voice and IT tied together with documented procedures.

Manage

GlobalView monitoring, 24/7 SOC, reporting and quarterly reviews.

Why BTI

Why Education Leaders Choose BTI

40 Years, One Accountable Partner

In business since 1985 and delivering integrated security since the 2010s, BTI designs, installs and supports IT, voice, network and physical security as one program instead of five vendor contracts.

Security-First Operations

BTI is ISO 27001 compliant, and managed detection and response runs through a 24/7 security operations center operated with high-security enterprise partners.

Public-Sector Ready Contracts

GSA, CMAS and TESMA contract awardee, which simplifies purchasing for public agencies and institutions. See government contracts.

Engineers Who Answer

Send the form and a BTI engineer replies within one business day. After go-live, GlobalView support monitors and maintains every system we deploy.

Local engineers, national coverage

Education Technology Support From Our Regional Offices

Los Angeles

12155 Mora Drive, Suites 1 & 2, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670 · 562-298-5000. Serving Southern California and statewide programs.

Chicagoland

1441 Branding Ave, Suite 200, Downers Grove, IL 60515 · 312-432-5300. Serving Illinois and the Midwest.

Phoenix / Tucson

615 N 48th St, Suite 1048, Phoenix, AZ 85008 · 602-733-6807. Serving Arizona and the Southwest.

Multi-site rollouts are delivered nationwide with BTI project managers and certified field partners, then supported centrally through GlobalView managed support.

FAQ

Education Technology and School Security FAQ

What does BTI provide for school districts and campuses?

BTI delivers an integrated program: secure AI, managed IT and cybersecurity with a 24/7 SOC, Cisco Meraki and Catalyst networks with Ekahau-validated Wi-Fi, Teams calling, paging and mass notification, and video, access control and intrusion detection. All of it is supported after go-live through GlobalView managed support.

Can BTI help with E-Rate eligible network projects?

Yes. BTI designs Wi-Fi, switching and firewall projects that align with E-Rate Category Two eligible services and provides bills of materials, Ekahau survey reports and documentation your E-Rate consultant or filing team needs. Eligibility and funding decisions are made by the program, so we coordinate with your filing team.

How do access control, paging and mass notification work together in a lockdown?

A single trigger, such as a lockdown button, a mobile app or an administrator console, can secure doors, play a pre-recorded announcement over IP speakers, push alerts to Teams phones, desktops and displays, and call up the nearest cameras for responders. BTI designs and tests these workflows with your safety team.

How does BTI support FERPA and CIPA compliance?

BTI implements the technical controls behind your policies: identity and MFA, encryption, logging and data-loss prevention for systems holding student records, and content filtering across campus networks and devices. We provide documentation to support your compliance program; we do not provide legal advice.

Can districts buy through cooperative or government contracts?

BTI is a GSA, CMAS and TESMA contract awardee, which can simplify purchasing for eligible public agencies and institutions. Your procurement team can confirm which vehicle fits each project. See our government contracts page.

How quickly will we hear from an engineer?

Submit the form below and a BTI engineer replies within one business day. BTI has been in business since 1985 and supports education clients from Los Angeles, Chicago and Phoenix.

Talk to an engineer

Plan Your District or Campus Safety and Technology Roadmap

Tell us about your campuses, systems and timelines. An engineer replies within one business day.

Communication

Let's Start a Conversation

What's the best way for us to contact you?

IT Services

Let's Start a Conversation

What's the best way for us to contact you?

Top quality brands, expert engineering, transparent cost, and maximum ROI.