The Future of Campus Security is in the Cloud
Colleges and universities are facing increasing pressures to manage security cost-effectively and at scale. With growing campuses, constrained budgets, and rising student expectations for seamless technology, many institutions are turning to the cloud solutions as the answer.
Enter the game-changing partnership between Genea and Transact + CBORD. Together, we are empowering higher education institutions to modernize campus access control through intuitive, cloud-based technology that integrates seamlessly with existing systems.
If you’re looking to transform your campus security, this blog explores the benefits of cloud-based access control, the unique features of Genea and Transact + CBORD’s partnership, and how your institution can benefit.
Why Universities Are Choosing Cloud-Based Access Control
Keeping Campuses Secure and Agile
Traditional on-prem systems consist of expensive servers, complex installations, and manual maintenance. These legacy systems lack the flexibility and scalability necessary for today’s dynamic campus environments. Cloud-based solutions, such as Genea’s access control platform, eliminate these challenges by removing hardware lock-ins and enabling remote management.
Imagine if your team could instantly modify door plans, deactivate lost credentials, or handle emergencies with just a few clicks, all from any location. That’s the reality cloud security delivers, ensuring campuses remain agile and secure.
Reducing Costs Without Sacrificing Efficiency
Investing in traditional access control systems often involves high upfront costs for hardware, installation, and ongoing maintenance. These systems also tend to require significant manual intervention when scaling to accommodate new facilities or users. Cloud-based solutions eliminate many of these pain points by leveraging the flexibility of the cloud.
Transitioning to the cloud offers significant long-term savings by cutting operational expenses, reducing overhead, and extending the life of existing hardware. Leveraging non-proprietary hardware, such as Mercury controllers, means institutions can cost-effectively update their systems without the need to rip and replace all their existing infrastructure – a win for campus budgets.
A Unified, Seamless User Experience
Managing campus security often involves juggling multiple, disconnected systems, from access control and video surveillance to case management. This creates siloed operations and inefficiencies. Genea and Transact + CBORD solve this problem by integrating these systems to create a fully connected platform. Advanced APIs connect your student information systems (SIS), transaction systems, housing information, access credentials, and security systems effortlessly, giving institutions a unified view of campus activity.
Key Features of Genea + Transact + CBORD’s Access Control Integration
1. Real-Time Data Flow Between Systems
One of the central benefits of this integration is Transact + CBORD’s Access Control Integration (ACI), which seamlessly syncs student and staff, credentials, and door plans between Transact + CBORD and Genea. Student access permissions can be automatically updated based on enrollment status or housing assignments, reducing administrative burdens and ensuring accurate access privileges. This automated process eliminates the manual labor required by IT teams or Card Offices to add, correct, or deactivate users in the system, freeing up critical resources.
2. Mobile-First Functionality
Today’s students expect technology that fits their connected lives. Genea and Transact + CBORD offer mobile credentials that allow students to use their smartphones or smartwatches for contactless door access, transactions, and more. Mobile credentials are far less likely to be lost or misplaced, as individuals tend to always keep their phones with them. This reduces the burden of issuing replacements for lost ID cards, leading to cost savings and improved convenience. This eco-friendly solution eliminates the need for plastic cards while providing a more secure credential with real-time updates and ultimate convenience.
3. Emergency Planning & Preparedness
Campus security must prepare for the unpredictable. The Genea platform allows administrators to build custom emergency plans to lock and unlock doors with a single click. Assign and distribute role-based access privileges to law enforcement and other first responders.
4. Intuitive User Interface and Permissions
Managing a university’s access control system should not be a complicated or time-intensive task. The Genea dashboard is built with ease of use in mind. From monitoring door activity to managing hardware, the interface offers tools for both campus security teams and department administrators. Role-based permissions ensure that specific users only access relevant capabilities, whether it’s unlocking a door or accessing system-wide reports. These intuitive tools empower universities to focus on their core mission of education rather than being bogged down by cumbersome security procedures. By streamlining operations and reducing administrative workload, cloud-based access control supports a more efficient and effective campus.
5. Data Protection
As universities adopt cloud-based solutions, data security becomes an essential consideration. Protecting sensitive information, such as student records and access logs, is critical to maintaining trust and compliance with privacy regulations.
Genea and Transact + CBORD prioritize data security by implementing robust encryption, multi-factor authentication, and consistent monitoring to prevent potential breaches. Our platforms are designed to meet industry-leading cybersecurity standards, including SOC2 and GDPR compliance, ensuring that universities can confidently adopt cloud-based systems without compromising data integrity.
6. Professional Deployment Support
Large-scale projects often come with fear of complexity and cost overruns. Genea and Transact + CBORD address this head-on by providing a professional services team that assists at every step of the migration process, from data cleanup to project management. Institutions transitioning from proprietary on-prem systems can expect a smooth, fast implementation process.
Long-Term Value for Universities
Schools that adopt a Genea and Transact + CBORD solution aren’t just solving immediate security challenges; they’re future-proofing their infrastructure. Non-proprietary Mercury hardware ensures compatibility with the latest technology updates for decades, removing the need for costly hardware replacements.
Furthermore, Genea’s open-platform allows for seamless integration with a range of third-party tools, from video management systems, elevators and locks, to visitor management software. The flexibility guarantees that universities can continue expanding and evolving their systems without vendor lock-in.
Real-World Advantages for Students and Staff
Benefits for Students
- Convenience: Students can unlock doors, pay for meals, and attend events with their smartphones or wearables. No more waiting in long lines to update ID cards.
- Safety: Sophisticated access control systems ensure that unauthorized personnel are restricted to high-security areas, such as dormitories and labs.
Benefits for Administrators
- Automation: From onboarding new students to revoking access for graduates, the automation of credentials reduces workloads across departments.
- Remote Management: Administrators can manage multiple campuses and respond swiftly to security events from anywhere.
Secure Your Campus with Confidence
Genea and Transact + CBORD are leading a new era of campus security, where efficiency meets flexibility, and physical barriers no longer limit innovative solutions. With our combined expertise, universities can streamline operations, ensure student safety, and scale confidently for the future.
Universities that prioritize innovation and adaptability will gain a competitive edge while ensuring the well-being of their students, faculty, and staff. To see how Genea and Transact + CBORD can transform your campus, schedule a demo today.
