Aalborg University is Denmark’s fourth largest higher education institution and is organized across three campus cities; Aalborg, Copenhagen and Esbjerg. In addition to those superlatives, it also hosts Europe's largest access control system, according to a statement.

With 4,500 card readers on doors to classrooms, laboratories, offices and libraries and more than 100 external cameras and intrusion alarms, the G4S security solution at Aalborg University is a large-scale, integrated access control, alarm and video monitoring system. All of the readers are linked to access control management software, covering 55 buildings with 20,000 access card users every year. And the university continues to add more buildings.

Large-scale access control

As Aalborg University has increased in size, both in terms of the number of students and premises, security has become increasingly complex and challenging. The university team needed a system to automate manual processes and allow thousands of students to be enrolled every semester with the correct security passes. The university manages the creation of new access cards and stores the protected data on its own servers.

Each access card is programmed with the relevant levels of access for each individual, student or university employee.

The installed system uses intrusion alarms, video monitoring systems and access software across all its buildings. Managed from a central control facility in Aarhus, the centralized security platform monitors all video footage and alarm activations at once, allowing security professionals in the control room to react quickly when issues arise.

Central Monitoring

The security technology also has environmental benefits, with sensors fitted to hundreds of smart windows. The system receives signals from the windows to keep different buildings comfortable and energy efficient, opening and closing windows as required.

G4S provides patrolling security professionals who ensure the buildings are secure around the clock, but particularly at night when the campuses are largely empty. Security across the four campuses is discrete and all are open plan with no perimeter fencing. Each security professional carries a tablet device that alerts them in the event of an emergency.

By employing such an extensive access control and alarm system, Aalborg University can respond more quickly to incidents and better ensure the safety of their community.