Gunnebo Entrance Control issues ‘Rethinking Campus Security’ White Paper

As university campuses evolve into multifunctional spaces that serve students, staff and local communities together with international visitors, maintaining both security and openness in parallel has become a growing challenge.

The White Paper explores how universities can reimagine their approach to entrance control and campus safety to meet the expectations of a new generation of students. This is while navigating the demands of legacy infrastructure, decentralised sites and a heightened awareness of potential threats.

Effective safety measures

“Students, staff and visitors expect transparency and visible as well as effective safety measures,” said Tina Hughan, global marketing and sustainability director at Gunnebo Entrance Control. “They want to feel safe on campus at all times, but not restricted. Our White Paper explores how the latest entrance control systems can achieve that balance, protecting people and spaces, while maintaining the freedom and openness that define the university experience.”

Across many institutions, the traditional concept of a campus as a safe and contained academic space has expanded. Today’s campuses host cultural events, public gatherings, residential life and open-access learning, often across buildings and spaces that span decades (or even centuries) of architectural development.

This diversity presents unique difficulties in implementing coherent and effective security strategies, particularly so when striving to preserve the welcoming and inclusive ethos of education.

The White Paper investigates how strategic entrance control can help bridge this gap. By integrating intelligent entrance solutions, such as biometric readers, advanced turnstiles and behavioural analytics, universities can gain better control over who enters and exits their facilities.

These solutions also support efficient people flow and operational agility, both of which are essential in high-traffic and multi-use environments.

Fragmented infrastructures

Tina Hughan continued: “Many universities are working with fragmented infrastructures and siloed systems, which makes it challenging to deliver consistent and responsive security across multiple sites.”

Hughan added: “By investing in scalable and integrated entrance control platforms, institutions can overcome these barriers and build a more resilient foundation for the future. Our aim is to help them rethink what campus security can be, creating environments that are safer, more connected, efficient and aligned with the evolving values and expectations of campus education.”

Gunnebo Entrance Control’s White Paper is grounded in insights from real-world applications and extensive consultation with academic institutions. It offers practical and actionable guidance for facilities managers, security professionals and university leadership teams.

*Copies of the new White Paper can be download at www.gunneboentrancecontrol.com/rethinking-campus-security/