Lake Forest College Modernizes Campus Security and Access Systems
Illinois liberal arts school updates video surveillance, door access and mobile safety tools in three-month project with Siemens.
- By Jesse Jacobs
- August 31, 2026
Lake Forest College recently completed a campus-wide physical security modernization project to upgrade its access control systems, video surveillance networks and emergency communications infrastructure.
The three-month overhaul replaced legacy security systems across the 107-acre liberal arts campus. The project included installing more than 100 high-resolution cameras and upgrading more than 100 access control points throughout 29 campus buildings.
As part of the deployment, the institution introduced a new mobile safety application called Safe Forester. The app provides students, faculty and staff with direct access to real-time emergency alerts, digital communication tools and personal safety escort requests.
College officials prioritized cybersecurity and digital infrastructure alignment throughout the installation process. The new hardware and software integrate directly with the institution's existing single sign-on system and network segmentation protocols to enforce encrypted communications across all connected endpoints.
The physical security upgrades were planned and deployed in collaboration with Siemens Smart Infrastructure, continuing a campus infrastructure partnership that spans several decades. The implementation was completed on schedule with no change orders.
Looking ahead, the institution plans to expand its core security platform to aggregate data across broader facility operations, including building automation, fire monitoring and energy management systems.