New system provides better security

Five years after the events of Sept. 11, 2001, colleges and universities across the country are continuing to implement plans to safeguard critical facilities, hazardous materials and sensitive research.

UW–Madison has been no exception, says Jerald Jansen, the university police department’s assistant chief for planning and development.

One of the greatest ongoing challenges is the development and implementation of the Andover access-control system, consisting of credit card-like proximity key cards and card readers at perimeter doors.

The rollout of the system began in 2004 and is replacing a myriad unconnected systems as buildings are remodeled or as an older system becomes obsolete.

The new system provides better security through a centralized, state-of-the art control system that allows building managers to set their opening and closing hours, add or delete people from the system, or view access events.

A new police department division, Planning and Development, was organized to address the twin missions of emergency management and infrastructure/physical security. To launch the project, a priority list of buildings was prepared with the agreement that all new construction would be mandated to include the Andover access-control system. High on the list of priorities were large venues such as Camp Randall and the Kohl Center, and those dealing with sensitive research.

Implementing a quality and comprehensive access-control system, along with providing needed physical barriers at certain venues, comes at a considerable cost, Jansen says.

Although federal and state grants eased the burden somewhat, the university had to fund the startup of the system, as well as software and hardware upgrades and additional staff to plan for and monitor the growing system. A model was developed to help recoup some costs. Going forward, departments and units may be charged a yearly support fee based on the numbers of users in the system during a yearly “snapshot.”

Funding needed security is a partnership among campus, police and departments, Jansen says. While the bulk of the financial costs will fall to the college, school or department, the police department will also carry some of the load in its budget to provide the staff and expertise for a world-class system of access control and security.

For more information on access control, contact Jansen at 265-0077 or visit http://www.uwpd.wisc.edu/Access%20Cards%20and%20Control.html.