Lessons from the Field: Securing Campuses and Other Open Environments

• By Dean Cunningham
• September 05, 2025

Securing large, open areas like college campuses or healthcare facilities is no easy task, and campus security teams often find themselves under the microscope. Fortunately, advancements in security technology have put valuable new tools in the hands of security professionals, granting them greater visibility throughout their environments and providing more accurate information than ever. Advancements in video analytics, body-worn devices, and other security technology has changed how many campuses approach security—as well as how they work with law enforcement.  

But the jurisdictional nature of law enforcement means there is no one-size-fits-all recipe for effective coordination, and it underscores the need to build strong relationships with local agencies. By working together to establish clear and appropriate mechanisms, security teams can ensure they understand when—and how—to share information, improving their relationship with law enforcement while also enhancing their own preparedness.  

Advanced Technologies Play a Growing Role in Campus Security
Hospitals, college campuses, and other sprawling locations are generally protected by a significant number of security cameras that monitor both interior and exterior environments. That has been true for decades—but modern devices provide advanced capabilities and older, analog cameras never could. As devices have become more powerful, advanced video analytics capabilities have become increasingly commonplace—allowing campus security teams to take advantage of automated incident detection and more reliable security alerts. Instead of relying on individual officers to monitor campus-wide video feeds, security teams can leverage technology like video and audio analytics to monitor for suspicious or anomalous behavior automatically. In some cases, the system may even be able to engage an automated response, such as playing a pre-recorded message that warns trespassers to turn around.  

These capabilities have helped make campus security teams significantly more effective—but they represent the beginning of the journey, not the end. New possibilities are always emerging, particularly as security devices become increasingly integrated. Access control technology can be directly integrated with video platforms, automatically locking doors if suspicious activity is detected (or recognizing authorized personnel and granting them access). Mass notification systems can play recorded messages and display evacuation instructions if smoke or fire are detected. Some analytics can even detect aggressive behavior, raised voices, or other signs of potential conflict, allowing security teams to intervene before an incident has a chance to escalate. However, it is worth pausing to note one particular technology that has been embraced by campus security teams: body-worn devices.  

Body-worn cameras have long been associated with law enforcement, but they are becoming increasingly accessible—and useful—to other security professionals as well. Today, retail loss prevention teams often use them to document interactions with would-be shoplifters, medical professionals use them to limit liability and ensure compliance with best practices, and college security teams use them to record potential incidents—among many others. These devices (and the digital infrastructure needed to support them) were once expensive and difficult to maintain, but modern body-worn cameras have become both more affordable and easier to use, making them a realistic option for security teams seeking to protect a wide range of locations.  

That’s good news, because body-worn devices provide critical, real-time information. Body-worn cameras can livestream video directly to the Security Operations Center (SOC), allowing security leaders to observe events as they unfold. If necessary, that video can even be shared directly with local Real-Time Crime Centers (RTCCs), allowing law enforcement officers to gain valuable insights before engaging in a potentially dangerous situation. Body-worn devices can also provide important location context, including the precise GPS coordinates of the wearer’s location. Modern devices can even pinpoint what floor of a building the wearer is on, eliminating confusion and ensuring that support can arrive at the desired location as quickly as possible. For hospitals and college campuses that have multi-story buildings, this can reduce response times significantly, limiting damage and even saving lives.  

Coordination with Law Enforcement Is Critical
Inevitably, there will be incidents that require the intervention of law enforcement—and when that happens, both sides need to be prepared. That means having a plan in place well before an emergency occurs, with established procedures agreed upon by both sides. Part of the challenge is the simple fact that law enforcement is highly jurisdictional: the authority of public safety is ultimately derived from the community, and different communities have different preferences. In some states, law enforcement can respond directly to an emergency call at a state university. In others, they need to coordinate with campus security. Legislation like the Clery Act, which requires colleges and universities to alert the campus community of potentially dangerous events make this partnership even more critical. These factors all underscore the importance of cooperation between security teams and law enforcement—and of establishing clear boundaries and standards. The healthcare and education fields are both subject to considerable regulatory scrutiny, particularly with regard to privacy—which means granting law enforcement personnel access to camera feeds or sensitive areas isn’t always a straightforward process. For instance, while a college may agree to share exterior camera feeds with law enforcement, it may not wish to share interior feeds of its living spaces (except in extreme emergencies). Understanding those boundaries (and when it is appropriate to break them) can help avoid conflict during an emergency, when tensions are already high. The last thing security teams want is to create unnecessary friction or confusion with law enforcement and delay the incident response process.  

From the logistical side, that means campus security teams should have a specific group or task force with a full understanding of the rules and regulations they need to adhere to, as well as who needs what information to do their job. That group should be in regular communication with law enforcement, ensuring that all available information is passed along as appropriate during an investigation. The ability to quickly relay forensic video to those who need it can significantly shorten the investigation and reduce response times—which can make a real difference. Faster response times help limit the impact of criminal activity, but they can also save lives: even just a few minutes can significantly improve survival rates in a life threatening situation. It’s also important to note that if the organization wishes to eventually press charges, a clear and professional investigation helps build a much stronger case.  

With the right communication processes, procedures and policies in place, the modern security technology we discussed earlier can provide a significant coordination advantage. Those cameras equipped with advanced analytics can provide law enforcement with a live view into a dangerous situation, allowing them to prepare and equip themselves appropriately. Those body-worn devices that can pinpoint the wearer’s location can help first responders identify where they are needed and arrive as quickly as possible. Access control systems can grant entry to law enforcement personnel during a lockdown while display boards direct evacuees away from dangerous areas. Integrated video feeds can even track suspicious subjects as they move across coverage zones, providing officers with the live updates they need to approach with caution. By building a strong and communicative relationship with law enforcement, campus security teams can ensure they know what information to share—and when and how to share it.  

Building Relationships Is a Critical Element of Security
Having the right technology in place is important—but for campus security teams, technology can’t solve every problem. Protecting large, open environments like healthcare facilities and college campuses is a big job, and outside law enforcement agencies and other first responders will inevitably play a key role in helping to keep occupants safe. Modern, integrated security solutions like video analytics, body-worn devices, access control stations, and other security advancements play an important part—but if security teams cannot coordinate effectively with law enforcement, they are missing a significant piece of the puzzle.  

Building relationships is a critical—but often overlooked—element of security. But campus security teams have found that cooperation with law enforcement can be an effective force multiplier—especially in an age where modern security devices can provide officers with the high-quality, real-time information they need to respond quickly and appropriately to dangerous situations. When an emergency happens, campus security teams can’t afford confusion. By ensuring that the necessary permissions, processes, and procedures have been determined well in advance, they can put both their own security professionals and their law enforcement partners in the best possible position for success.

This article originally appeared in the September / October 2025 issue of Campus Security Today.