The University of Kentucky has revamped its surveillance framework to enhance security across its main campus, hospital, and the UK HealthCare network. This extensive upgrade is driven by the demands of overseeing diverse environments that include an educational campus and healthcare facilities.
"There are many differences when you look at policing on a college campus as well as healthcare institutions," stated Joseph Monroe, Chief of Police at the University of Kentucky. "The University of Kentucky police are responsible for both."
Comprehensive modernisation
To meet these varied security needs, the University has undertaken a sweeping modernisation of its surveillance systems, unifying them into a cohesive framework centred on Hanwha Vision technology. Previously, the surveillance network included over 60 disparate systems, many of which were analogue and operated at the departmental level. This fragmented setup resulted in blind spots, made coordination difficult, and complicated investigations.
Advanced analytics integration
The restructured surveillance system has notably improved incident response operations
Nathan Brown, Deputy Chief of Police of Administration at the University of Kentucky, highlighted the importance of receiving real-time information. "Now we can provide our first responders with information so they can most safely respond, especially in places like our ERs, where things can get volatile very quickly at times," he said.
Monroe added, "But with that, you have to think about privacy, HIPAA requirements." The enhanced system incorporates advanced cameras with multi-sensor capabilities, 8K and 4K ultra-high-resolution models, and edge-based analytics, allowing for data processing directly at the camera level.
The restructured surveillance system has notably improved incident response operations. Security personnel can access live and recorded footage instantly, facilitating quicker verification of reported incidents and enabling more efficient allocation of resources. Brown noted the importance of comprehensive security coverage: "We're developing a roadmap to make sure that every building has a 100% security perimeter camera coverage."
Efficient infrastructure
The introduction of multi-sensor cameras has significantly streamlined infrastructure demands by providing 360-degree visibility with a single unit, cutting down on cables and licensing requirements. This modernised approach not only broadens coverage but also reduces installation times and ongoing maintenance expenses.
Beyond its primary security functions, the University is employing camera analytics to enhance operational efficiency. Stephen Cornett, Security Systems Director, noted the increased use of on-camera analytics in operations planning.
Overall, the upgraded surveillance system bolsters the University of Kentucky's dedication to public safety, ensuring that security remains a priority throughout its operations. "Installing these cameras and the correct access control points at the right places," Brown emphasised, "Allows us to protect our community and make sure everyone understands that we're all in this together."
The University of Kentucky’s (UK) police department oversees the surveillance infrastructure for the school’s main campus, but their responsibilities also include an on-campus hospital and the UK HealthCare statewide healthcare network, significantly expanding the scope and complexity of security operations.
“There are many differences when you look at policing on a college campus as well as healthcare institutions,” said Joesph Monroe, Chief of Police, University of Kentucky. “The University of Kentucky police are responsible for both.”
Large-scale modernisation
To address these demands, the University of Kentucky completed a large-scale modernisation of its surveillance infrastructure, transitioning to a unified camera ecosystem built around Hanwha Vision technologies.
Prior to the upgrade, the University’s surveillance environment consisted of more than 60 independent systems, many of them analogue and deployed at a departmental level. This structure created blind spots, hindered coordination, and made investigations time-consuming, as security personnel were forced to navigate multiple platforms to reconstruct incidents – challenging for any surveillance team, but even more complex given the unique dynamics of a hospital environment.
Edge-based analytics
“It's important to have real time information to be able to get awareness of what's going on,” said Nathan Brown, Deputy Chief of Police of Administration, University of Kentucky. “Now we can provide our first responders with information so they can most safely respond, especially in places like our ERs, where things can get volatile very quickly at times.”
“But with that, you have to think about privacy, HIPAA requirements,” Monroe added. “There may be a time that you have to mask or blur out somebody’s video.” The UK deployment includes advanced multi-sensor cameras, 8K and 4K ultra-high-resolution models, and edge-based analytics that enable data capture directly at the camera level.
Incident response workflows
“We're developing a roadmap to make sure that every building has a 100% security perimeter camera coverage,” said Brown. “The first line of defence is making sure that you know who is coming into your facilities.”
This consolidated approach has significantly improved incident response workflows. Operators can now access live and recorded video immediately, enabling rapid verification of reported threats and supporting a more informed deployment of resources.
Reducing infrastructure demands
A major advantage of the new system lies in its use of multi-sensor cameras to replace traditional single-lens deployments. A single multi-sensor unit now delivers 360-degree visibility using one device, one cable, and one license. This approach has dramatically expanded coverage while reducing infrastructure demands, installation time, and long-term maintenance costs.
Beyond security, the University is leveraging onboard camera analytics to support operational efficiency. “One thing that we're moving forward with on our roadmap, and with our standards, is to use those on-camera analytics a lot more for our operations,” said Stephen Cornett, Security Systems Director, University of Kentucky Police Department.
Modernised surveillance system
Ultimately, the modernised surveillance system reinforces the University’s commitment to public safety, demonstrating through daily operations that security remains a top institutional priority.
“Installing these cameras and the correct access control points at the right places,” Brown said, “Allows us to protect our community and make sure everyone understands that we're all in this together."
