Bio-metrics at Universities

Bio-metrics at Universities

Written by Dale Murphy MSc, CSyP, Head of Security Services, University of Hertfordshire

With the ever increasing demand on Higher Educational (HE) establishments to provide an outstanding service to their students, educational Security Managers need to ensure that the service they are delivering contributes and dovetails into the establishments’ core focus of enhancing the student experience. Those antiquated days of simply providing man power to a problem have long gone for all of us and with the ever increasing demand on Security Managers to provide an outstanding service, technology advancements need to be taken seriously.

Bio-metrics at UnivsitiesOne of the biggest problems that we are challenged with within HE isn’t always about the ‘financial restraints’ that we all face, but generally more about how we achieve the fine balance between maintaining the ability of our students to go about their daily business whilst managing the increasing pressure to secure and protect our physical buildings and assets by providing ‘Smart’ Security.

Installed within this balancing act is the need to understand an individual’s right to privacy, alongside their right to maintain their freedom of speech and movement, something that every student should expect and demand whilst at University. Regardless of our specialities, every security manager will hear the cry of “Big Brother” when we consider redeployment, or an increase in our CCTV requirements. I am the first to admit that this is an important cry to acknowledge and understand. In recent years we have seen the axis of the ‘Big Brother’ concern move away from our more ‘fixed CCTV’ cameras to our security officers and emergency services wearing body worn cameras and their ability to record audial conversations. We are witnessing an increase in concern over Bio-metric technology and this being catapulted to the top of the list as a potential infringement of an individual’s civil liberties.

However, using Bio-metric technology wisely and efficiently, whilst understanding and managing the expectations of the individual, remains an important asset within our security arsenals. Would a University use facial recognition and fingerprint analysis to gain entry to a Library? Probably not, would we use this technology to monitor individuals in our public areas, again I would suggest not.

However, would we consider using bio-metrics to control access to sensitive areas such as medical laboratories and chemical storage areas? Then yes, I believe that we would. Would we replace an access control system to a more selective Bio-metric control system that would allow us to restrict access to individuals who are trained to deal with emergency situations such as an oxygen depletion system being set off? Then absolutely I would consider it. In these situations I don’t believe that we would hear many cries of ‘Big Brother’!

Bio–metrics is with us to stay. We see its use in our daily lives, from finger print recognition on our computers and other devices, to iris recognition on smart phones. As security managers we would be foolish to disregard this valuable asset and we need to embrace this important technology wisely in providing smart security solutions and using bio-metrics as an additional security tool to protect and maintain the freedom of our students, our staff and our visitors.

Can Bio metric advancements help us with this freedom? Yes, I believe that it can, will it quieten down the sceptics? Not with Hollywood’s continued portrayal it won’t. The most important thing for University Security Managers to consider is the need to ensure that we do not lose sight of our primary aim, to provide and maintain a safe and secure environment to all our students, staff and visitors without encroaching on their personal space. Used wisely and smart, then Bio-Metric technology can help us to achieve this aim.

 
[su_button url=”https://www.securitynewsdesk.com/newspaper/” target=”blank” style=”flat” background=”#df2027″ color=”#ffffff” size=”10″ radius=”0″ icon=”icon: arrow-circle-right”]To read the SecurityNewsDesk Newspaper click here[/su_button] 

About Security Buyer

Security Buyer is the leading authority in global security content, delivering expert news, in-depth articles, exclusive interviews, and industry insights across print, digital, and event platforms. Published 10 times a year, the magazine is a trusted resource for professionals seeking updates and analysis on the latest developments in the security sector.

To submit an article, or for sponsorship opportunities, please contact our team below.

Rebecca Spayne picture 2025

Rebecca Spayne

Managing
EDITOR

Georgina Turner image

Georgina Turner

Sales
Manager

Afua Akoto image - Security Buyer

Afua Akoto

Marketing Manager

Read the Latest Issue

Follow us on X

Follow us on X

Click Here

Follow us on LinkedIn

Follow us on LinkedIn

Click Here

Advertise here

Reach decision makers and amplify your marketing

Advertise here

Click Here

Related News

OneLink

Product Spotlight – Gallagher’s OneLink

Gallagher Security presents, OneLink – the product that is elevating remote security through the power of the cloud 
Stephen Tickle

Comelit-PAC Appoints Stephen Tickle as Regional Sales Manager

Comelit-PAC has appointed Stephen Tickle as its new Regional Sales Manager.  Stephen will focus on supporting PAC’s access control…
Doorbird Carousel

Product Spotlight – Door Communication for the “Neue Wallufer”

 A customised solution case study for a residential complex is presented by DoorBird and CompuNet Systems GmbH 
suprema

Suprema Achieves EN 60839 Certification

Suprema, a global provider of AI-powered access control and security solutions, has achieved EN 60839-11-1:2013 Grade 3 certification
Gallagher

Gallagher Security cultivates key partnerships in Riyadh

Organised in partnership with the New Zealand Embassy, Gallagher Security hosted an event in Riyadh to explore business…
ASSA ABLOY

Electric locks are a vital component in digital access

To protect the important openings in their buildings, organizations need locks they can trust. This means more than just strength…
Tecnosicurezza

Tecnosicurezza Launches AmpliSec

Tecnosicurezza has launched AmpliSec – its first connected high-security electronic locking system designed specifically for safes…
Paxton

Paxton Employees Fundraising for Air Ambulance

Employees at the Brighton based security technology manufacturer Paxton have voted for their charity of the year
Videx

Videx Unveils the ERA23V

Videx has launched the ERA23V, a sleek and innovative video entry panel designed to redefine door entry and access control.
Cover Story - Empowering the Mobile Workforce with HID

Cover Story – Empowering the Mobile Workforce with HID

HID presents the latest in portable readers, depicting a modern world where secure access moves with you…
Scroll to Top