An effort to further improve security at the Barbados Community College is closer to being a reality with the soon-to-be-released BeSecured APP.

Developed by BCC for BCC, the student and staff collaboration has already reached the testing phase, with training for the college’s security staff on the way.

BCC Tutor and lead developer Chris Smith worked with Computer Studies students closely, monitoring the app’s progress and ensuring BeSecured is both functional and accessible for students and staff across the Eyrie campus.

“It is a notification app where if there is an emergency on campus the security personnel would pinpoint where the event is occurring and issue a notification.”

He explained that this would allow students and staff to avoid unsafe areas on the campus, preventing potential injury and further emergencies.

BCC Chief of Security O’Neal Small described the app as “highly beneficial” and congratulated the Computer Studies staff and students for a job well done.

“The app communicates directly to persons and can potentially save lives.”

Mr. Smith thanked students for their participation in the app’s development, revealing that the process first started in the summer of 2025.

Responsible for the back end, Mr. Smith entrusted the rest of the work to two students who performed admirably under his supervision.

While the division hoped to release the BeSecured APP last semester, testing began in the second week of February and is ongoing, with hope that the app will go public soon.

Users must be on campus and using the campus Wi-Fi to receive alerts but the app will be completely free and available for any current students and staff to download.

Release dates are yet to be announced, but we encourage the college body to keep an eye out for further updates as we continue to prioritize your safety at school.