Before allowing students to begin living, studying, and enriching themselves on campus, universities have a duty to provide safeguarding.
There were over 31,000 crimes on campus reported in 2021, and only 2% of these reports were unfounded.
New and emerging technologies could spark the end for campus crimes. Keep reading as we explore the top tech innovations advancing campus security.
Cloud-Based Access Control
Cloud-based access control is the future of campus security systems. It provides the same security measures as traditional access control while offering a wide variety of additional benefits:
● Easy installation: since cloud-based access control communicates using remote methods, installing and planning complex wiring systems is unnecessary. Instead, companies can simply install the device and connect it to the cloud-based router.
● Remote management: System administrators can access and manage door locks from anywhere, viewing access logs using a mobile application for more responsive security procedures.
● Integration potential: with cloud-based security tools comes the potential for integration, allowing campus security to unify all security data on a single platform, eliminating data silos that could hinder security investigations.
In addition to these benefits, cloud-based access control supports using mobile access credentials instead of keycards and fobs. This presents the potential for cost savings, as keycard and fob replacement can incur significant costs throughout the academic year.
Mobile access control also supports a more convenient and hygienic strategy for entry - touchless entry. Students and faculty can enter the building simply by waving their hands over the access reader to trigger remote communication with their devices. The reader detects their credentials, and the door unlocks.
When onboarding new students, the university simply sends them an activation code allowing them to download their access credentials. There is no need to create thousands of fobs and keycards each academic season. Using this self-serve security onboarding method allows campus security to focus on more important tasks at the beginning of the year, such as establishing strong security presence across campus.
Visitor Management Software
One of the most popular integrations for cloud-based access control in education is visitor management software. Educational institutions have a duty to provide safeguarding and ensure only students and faculty are allowed on the premises unescorted.
To make this possible, many campuses are integrating visitor management software with access control. The software allows guests to digitally register when entering the campus, gaining temporary access control permissions to enter.
Once they leave, they won’t be able to enter again. Providing this security measure allows people to enter the premises for appointments and meetings while reducing the burden on staff.
Cloud-Based Surveillance
Cloud-based security cameras provide benefits similar to those of a cloud-based access control system. Security staff can easily deploy surveillance without planning complex wiring infrastructure. They simply connect the camera to the server, which allows them to view security camera footage from anywhere using a mobile application or browser.
Cloud-based security cameras have integration potential that enables AI integration, making campuses much safer. AI-enabled security cameras can perform automated threat detection, providing campus security with alerts based on triggers. For instance, it could detect a weapon on campus using object recognition or physical threats with behavior recognition.
Since campus security won’t be able to monitor video feeds and detect potential security incidents consistently, this solution is essential for responsive and proactive security. Without it, many threats would go unnoticed, leading to crimes on campus.
Reporting Platforms
Many campuses use reporting platforms, allowing students to contact security when they feel unsafe or report suspicious activity. Providing these platforms to students allows for instant security response, allowing their voices to be heard when they feel unsafe.
Advanced Alarm Systems
Advanced alarm systems are allowing for more crisis aversion on campus. Glassbreak sensors allow security staff to respond instantly to property damage and intrusion, while gunshot detectors can provide life-saving agility. Gunshot detectors sound an alarm that allows students and faculty to immediately take action, evacuate, or take cover.
Summary
The tech innovations listed above are becoming staples for effective, responsive, and agile security strategies on college campuses. Consider investing in these technologies as they storm the security landscape. Cloud-based technologies are the future of security, and more commercial industries are taking note.
