In recent decades, campus security has evolved from a peripheral concern to a critical priority as students and families place a growing emphasis on safety in the college decision-making process. An ADT-Clery Center survey found that more than 82% of college students are concerned about their personal safety on campus. As a result, it’s critical that institutions ramp up investment in new technologies, moving from reactive to proactive systems and incorporating video analytics tools capable of addressing threats in real time.
The federal Clery Act—which requires higher education institutions to publicly report crimes and maintain transparency through weekly logs and annual reports—has helped drive this transformation. As technology advances, schools must increasingly look for future-proof security tools that integrate old-school systems with today’s latest high-tech solutions. Yet, challenges remain in building security ecosystems where disparate technologies work together to provide better insights and situational awareness for campus officials and security teams.
The difficulties partially stem from the fact that campuses are sprawling, open environments that resemble small, self-contained cities that combine public accessibility with high foot traffic from students, faculty and visitors. This dynamic complicates efforts to monitor and secure spaces effectively. The logistical hurdles of managing large, open areas with interconnected buildings create challenges that enclosed facilities like airports don’t typically face. With multiple entry points, large outdoor areas and thousands—or even tens of thousands—of people moving through daily, maintaining campus safety today increasingly requires cutting-edge technology.
Historically, campus security has been a reactive affair that relied on post-incident video reviews and manual interventions. In the wake of new threats such as active shooter incidents, this approach is now insufficient. Advances in technology have shifted the paradigm to proactive security that equips universities with tools to detect and address issues in real-time. Video analytics, including tools such as attribute search and gunshot detection systems, allow campuses to identify threats before they escalate and, when incidents do happen, reduce response times—a critical factor in life-threatening situations when minutes and even seconds matter.
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One of the greatest challenges many institutions face is upgrading their fragmented technology systems which have been implemented over decades. Security infrastructure today often includes a mix of older and newer technologies, making a cohesive system difficult to develop and expensive to build. The ability to integrate multiple security tools into a consolidated framework is a powerful driver for universities, enabling improved operations that extend the return on investment of existing infrastructure.
Advanced analytics play a prominent role in streamlining security operations. For instance, facial matching technology—separate from facial recognition technology—enables universities to locate individuals based on video footage, which can be crucial in cases of missing students or criminal investigations. Similarly, attribute search capabilities allow administrators to filter videos based on specific descriptions, such as clothing or behavior, significantly accelerating the investigation process. Occupancy counting tools are another useful element that tracks the number of people in a specific building or area, which can provide a clearer picture of the situation to first responders during emergencies.
Collaboration with local law enforcement and community partners is another important feature. Integrated platforms allow universities to share real-time video feeds and data with local authorities, enabling faster, more coordinated responses to incidents. For example, at a school in Lee County, Florida, campus cameras are directly connected with local law enforcement networks, creating a unified system that enhances public safety.
As campus security increasingly influences enrollment decisions and shapes university life, institutions must rise to the challenge with thoughtful planning, innovative solutions and integrated, future-proof technologies. By investing in advanced tools that enhance situational awareness, improve response times and mitigate threats, universities can ensure campuses remain safe places for growth, discovery and connection. The stakes are high, but the potential for meaningful impact is even greater.
