Using Tech Tools for Faster Response and a Safer Campus

New cameras, electronic door security, and emergency response technology are providing the Augusta University Police Department (AUPD) and IT Physical Security with additional tools to help protect the AU community.

What if an emergency happened on campus?

A call comes into AUPD. Officers need to know where the situation is happening and what is unfolding around them. At the same time, they may need to quickly secure access points and protect people inside campus buildings while emergency personnel respond.

This fall, AU has more technology in place to help them do both.

More than 200 new security cameras have expanded coverage across campus, while campus-wide electronic lockdown capabilities allow designated personnel to quickly lock exterior doors during an emergency. Together, these technologies provide two critical capabilities during an emergency: the ability to see what’s happening and the ability to act.

“Enhanced situational awareness is vital on a campus as large and diverse as Augusta University,” said Chief Lyon, AU Police Department. “Having timely access to this information allows us to assess situations quickly, make informed decisions, and respond effectively during emergencies. In critical moments, those seconds can have a significant impact and may ultimately save lives.” 

More Eyes Across Campus

More than 200 new area-coverage security cameras have expanded video surveillance across campus, giving AUPD greater visibility in areas where additional coverage is needed. The cameras can help deter unwanted activity, provide information during an incident, and assist police in understanding what happened afterward. 
 
New video technology also makes relevant footage easier to find. Rather than manually searching through hours of video, security personnel can quickly locate footage relevant to an incident. Less time searching for information means more time focused on understanding what happened and responding appropriately.

When Seconds Matter

Seeing what is happening is only part of an emergency response. The ability to quickly control access to a building can be just as important. AU has activated campus-wide electronic lockdown capabilities, allowing designated personnel to secure exterior electronic doors quickly in the event of an emergency providing an additional layer of protection while AU Police and emergency personnel respond. 
 
“Having the ability to lock down entire buildings or classrooms in the event of an immediate threat, such as an active shooter, can save lives,” explains Director C. Dyal of the AU Police Department. “The goal isn’t to replace the people responding to an emergency. It’s to give them more tools and more options when they are needed most.”

A Bigger Picture for Emergency Responders

The cameras and electronic doors are part of a larger connected security system. AU introduced interactive security maps that bring more than 1,300 security cameras, electronic access control devices, and emergency phones into a single view. The connected system gives police and security personnel a clearer picture of the campus and helps them quickly locate security resources during an incident.

Emergency Tools in the Classroom

More than 110 classrooms now have lockdown buttons, giving faculty and staff an immediate way to initiate emergency security measures when necessary. Having that capability directly in the classroom provides another layer of protection while help is on the way.

Security Where Students Live

New electronic locks were installed in Oak Hall and Elm Hall, improving access control for more than 250 residential rooms. The upgraded system provides modern electronic access for students and creates a platform that can support future residential security improvements.

Ready When It’s Needed

Behind the scenes, IT Physical Security maintained 100% uptime across campus security platforms through proactive monitoring, maintenance, and infrastructure improvements. AU also consolidated its Emergency Blue Phone system, allowing personnel to monitor device status and system health while expanding emergency phone and camera coverage in high-priority areas. 
 
“A lot of the work we do happens behind the scenes, but it’s all focused on one thing: making sure our security technology is ready when it’s needed,” said Gary Johnson, Manager, IT Physical Security and Badging. “By connecting cameras, electronic access, emergency phones, and other systems, we’re giving our police and security teams more information and more tools to respond quickly and effectively.”

Prepared for What Comes Next

These improvements are part of more than 63 IT Physical Security projects completed to strengthen campus safety, modernize security technology, and improve emergency response. No technology can eliminate every emergency. But preparation can make a difference. 

The cameras, electronic doors, classroom lockdown buttons, emergency phones, and connected security systems provide AU Police and IT Physical Security with more information, greater control, and more options when responding to an emergency. 

These investments are about more than technology. They’re about equipping the people responsible for campus safety with the tools they need to protect the people who learn, work, and live at Augusta University.