University of Kentucky Upgrades Campus Security With OnGuard

Challenge: 72 Systems Were in Use When Attempting to Centralize Access Control 

Founded in 1865, The University of Kentucky (UK) is a public university located in the heart of the Bluegrass – Lexington, Kentucky. The university is the largest in the state, with over 30,000 students and a more than 13,000 person workforce. In addition to academic and residential complexes, the campus also consists of three medical centers, including a Level 1 Trauma Center. 

When the University of Kentucky Police Department (UKPD) first began exploring options to centralize access control on campus, it discovered 72 different security systems in use. “We assessed every system in the process of developing a new standard,” says Joe Monroe, Chief of Police, UKPD. An initial rollout with a startup manufacturer deployed a Mercury Security-based system. Unfortunately, the software was unable to scale to meet the university’s needs. It required too much human input to create access levels and experienced issues with integrations. To simplify operations, UKPD decided to upgrade to a scalable, enterprise-level solution open to third-party integrations. 

Solution: UKPD Uses the OnGuard System to Easily Delegate Security Management

UKPD researched successful installations at other large campuses which led to a partnership with systems integrator, Stanley Security. UKPD met with Stanley’s Software Solutions Group to discuss system requirements and selected an OnGuard system for access control across campus. 

Stanley software engineers and UK’s IT infrastructure team mapped the installation out in detail in advance of deployment. The team then tested the new system in select buildings, and the results were instantly positive. “Through close teamwork, we were able to seamlessly convert over to the OnGuard system through careful planning of integrations and by utilizing the existing Mercury panels,” observes Vicky Daugherty, Senior National Account Manager, Stanley Security. 

Today, the deployment includes over 9,000 access control points, 4,000 of which feature integrations with Assa Abloy WiFi locks. UKPD is the main administrator of the security system and has an operations center based out of the police department. However, managing such a large system requires a team approach. The OnGuard system allows UKPD to easily delegate security management of buildings and departments to stakeholders who have been vetted and trained. 

The system includes robust lockdown capabilities in the event of an active shooter or other serious incidents. Lockdowns can secure specific areas or the entire campus. 

a custom integration with SAP identity management automatically transfers information about students and staff, such as move-in/out dates, into the OnGuard system. For example, UKPD no longer needs to spend a week at the beginning and end of each semester manually activating and deactivating student access to residence halls. “We’re always looking at ways to combine security and operational efficiency to benefit our community,” said Nathan Brown, Major, UKPD. “The open nature of the OnGuard system allows us to implement integrations that not only enhance security but also save hundreds of man-hours per semester.” 

Results: UK Improves Security & Simplifies Operations

UK now has a comprehensive security system that allows for integrations that improve security and simplify operations. In the future, UKPD plans to expand the access control system to cover every door across campus, enabling them to do away with physical keys. 

“The OnGuard system works so seamlessly that students and faculty across campus have gained further confidence in our department,” notes Monroe. “Our goal is for members of the community to maintain peace of mind so they can focus on studies and work.”

Learn More About OnGuard Access Control from LenelS2

Enjoy the convenience of browser-based physical access control with the convenience of unlimited scalability for your growing institution. With the ability to integrate seamlessly with a large variety of existing business systems, such as HR and ERP platforms, the OnGuard platform provides campuses with a complete, unified access control solution.

To learn more about how you can improve your campus security, contact our team today.