Eagle Eye Networks CEO Dean Drako Announces $1,000,000 Drako Cloud Security Grant for Schools

Eagle Eye Networks announced that it has funded the Drako Cloud Security Grant for Schools for up to $1M; individual schools who are awarded the grant will receive a fully functional security camera system—including cloud management and recording, mobile phone remote access applications, cameras, networking equipment to connect IP cameras, and secure gateways to the cloud—at no cost for 1 year. Eligible schools include accredited private and public schools in the United States: elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and colleges.

A recent survey showed that that 72 percent of adults in the United States favor the use of security cameras to improve safety in schools. Further, a majority (56 percent) of adults favor that schools maintain a mix of cloud and on-premise video storage. The top reasons for mixed cloud and on-site storage include: preventing video loss and tampering; providing greater storage flexibility; and delivering better remote access.

“We are funding this cloud security grant to make it easier for more schools to provide the highest level of safety to their students and staff,” saysDean Drako, president & CEO, Eagle Eye Networks. “Eagle Eye Networks’ cloud surveillance offers many benefits to improve campus security, including flexible retention, leading mobile access, scalability, and an overall lower total cost of ownership.”

Grant winners will receive a grant for one full year of funding for the cloud-based Eagle Eye Security Camera Video Management System (VMS) and associated components. The solution includes cloud recording services, centralized management, gateways, cameras, and necessary networking equipment. Encrypted retention of up to 1 year for all the video is available for each camera. Optionally, schools can use their existing security cameras, and convert their surveillance system to the Eagle Eye cloud-based VMS.

The cloud-based Eagle Eye VMS is cyber-secure and simple to use both locally and remotely, through web browsers or the Eagle Eye mobile applications. It includes the ability to assign viewing and download permissions, including first responder emergency video.

“The Fairfield community school district selected the Eagle Eye Security Camera Video Management System (VMS) for all four of our school campuses, with 2100 students. We wanted a cloud video surveillance system to reduce our IT infrastructure and costs,” says Steve Thalheimer, Superintendent, Fairfield Community School District. “Eagle Eye’s off-site cloud video storage will save our district the complex IT overhead of setting up our own local video storage and managing disaster recovery solutions. Further, Eagle Eye Networks’ CEO Dean Drako is also the founder and former CEO of Barracuda Networks, so we have confidence Eagle Eye has the expertise necessary to create a cyber-secure, cloud-based system.

Thalheimer adds, “Our school district’s top priority is to protect our students and staff. Eagle Eye Networks’ cloud-based system will allow our staff and law enforcement to have as much information as possible in any situation. We can use their First Responder Real-time Video Access to immediately give first responders immediate access.”

The Drako Cloud Security Grant for Schools is appealing to help schools offset costs, as more districts move to include security camera coverage on campuses, and wish to ensure their surveillance systems allow first responder emergency access. Further, some states require schools with security cameras to maintain the recordings for a certain time period; as the laws change, the flexible retention offered by a cloud-managed video surveillance system can reduce the need for additional equipment purchases.

The Eagle Eye Security Camera VMS will work with a broad array of IP and analog cameras. School grant recipients who wish to add new cameras are responsible for the cost of camera wiring and installation; Eagle Eye Networks can refer the school to a Certified Dealer if desired. At the end of the 12 months, if the school chooses to continue using the Eagle Eye VMS, they would purchase the equipment and start their Eagle Eye Cloud VMS subscriptions. The school also has the option to remove the equipment and return it to Eagle Eye Networks, at no charge.

Grant applications will be accepted starting March 31, 2016. Application deadline is July 1, 2016. Grant winners will be selected based on the merits and timeliness of their application.

To learn more and apply for the grant, please visit: Eagle Eye Networks Drako Cloud Security Grant for Schools.