Security asset management in higher education face some of the more strenuous challenges in the security industry. Security systems at universities and colleges manage thousands of identities and devices, in open and accessible buildings for diverse and dynamic populations.
Technology portfolios include access control, video management, intercom and intrusion detection systems, communication and mass notification platforms. They also potentially integrate with multiple third-party applications, such as credentialing, point of sales, parking. Management of portfolios can range from day-to-day administration and maintenance to long-term planning and lifecycle management.
These multifaceted requirements make creating a project portfolio for management large and expensive to build, complex to manage, and challenging to maintain. Portfolios can therefore risk exposure to legacy systems, inefficient processes, and high costs of ownership.
The administrative challenges around identity management in higher education are particularly complex to manage. Data sources can be legacy, decentralized, or not under security’s purview. Student and staff ID badges are also often used for multiple applications downstream, such as parking, meal vouchers, point of sale, or housing assignments. This makes data integrity vital and badge security essential. Challenges may lead to unauthorized access and approval, inefficiencies and delays in processing, or administrative overhead.