ENHANCING CAMPUS SECURITY & SITUATIONAL AWARENESS

By Matt Strautman, Director of Global Business Development, Flir Security Solutions

University campuses present unique security challenges: sprawling open spaces, diverse building types, and a culture that values openness and aesthetics. These factors often clash with the need for robust security measures.

Common issues include large outdoor areas with multiple entry points, limited infrastructure and connectivity, and the imperative to preserve architectural beauty while implementing safety solutions. Against this backdrop, Flir's Nexus-enabled security products offer a transformative approach to campus safety.

The Security Landscape in Higher Education

Recent studies highlight growing risks on college campuses, including active shooter incidents, theft, vandalism, and unauthorized access. Burglaries account for nearly 71% of campus crimes, while concerns about gun violence, harassment, and cyber threats continue to rise.

Many institutions also struggle with inconsistent access control, outdated emergency systems, and poor wireless connectivity, which can hinder rapid response during crises.

Moreover, campuses must balance openness and security. Students and visitors expect free movement, yet this openness creates vulnerabilities. Traditional perimeter defenses don't often provide continuous situational awareness once a breach occurs, leaving security teams reactive rather than proactive.

Challenges: Large Areas, Limited Infrastructure, and Aesthetic Concerns

  1. Large Open Areas: Universities often span hundreds of acres with green spaces, athletic fields, and multiple buildings. Monitoring these zones requires extensive coverage and seamless tracking of potential threats across different environments.
  2. Limited Infrastructure and Connectivity: Many campuses struggle with available power and/or network connectivity in all area where security is needed. This will often lead to blind spots in the camera system.
  3. Preserving Campus Aesthetics: Security upgrades must respect architectural heritage and landscaping. Visible barriers or bulky equipment can disrupt the inviting atmosphere that defines academic life. Solutions need to blend functionality with design.

How Flir Nexus Addresses These Issues

Nexus is a proprietary communication protocol designed to deliver real-time situational awareness without the complexity of traditional systems.

Here’s how it helps:

  • Seamless Device Integration: Nexus enables edge devices—such as thermal and visible cameras—to communicate directly in a server/client format, eliminating the need for more software or centralized servers. This reduces installation complexity and cost while ensuring continuous coverage across large areas.
  • Enhanced Situational Awareness: By linking multiple sensors, Nexus creates a tracking layer that identifies, classifies, and monitors targets as they move across campus. This capability is critical for open environments where a threat rarely stays within one camera’s view. Nexus ensures uninterrupted handoffs between devices for real-time tracking.
  • Cost-Effective and Scalable: Traditional systems often require expensive infrastructure upgrades. Nexus minimizes these needs, making it ideal for campuses with limited budgets or connectivity challenges. Its edge-based architecture also supports expansion without major construction or network overhauls.
  • Preserving Aesthetics: Flir's multi-spectral products and large option of coverage provides the ability to cover large areas with fewer devices. This allows universities to maintain their architectural charm while improving safety.

Broader Impact on Campus Safety

When combined with Flir's advanced analytics, Nexus empowers security teams to:

  • Detect and classify threats early.
  • Track movement across multiple zones.
  • Respond faster through integrated alerts and notifications.

This proactive approach addresses key vulnerabilities such as unauthorized access, property crime, and personal safety risks, while supporting compliance with emerging standards for emergency preparedness.

Conclusion

University campuses face a delicate balancing act: maintaining openness and aesthetics while ensuring robust security. Flir Nexus bridges this gap by delivering real-time situational awareness, cost-effective scalability, and design-sensitive deployment.

In an era of heightened risks—from physical threats to digital vulnerabilities—Nexus offers a future-ready solution that helps institutions protect their communities without compromising their identity.

References

National Center for Education Statistics. (n.d.). Campus crime data.

U.S. Department of Education. (n.d.). Campus safety and security reporting.

Flir Systems. (n.d.). What is Flir Nexus and why is it important.

International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators. (n.d.). Campus security challenges.