Smart, Safe and Compliant: How Integrated Security and Connectivity are Defining the Modern Smart Campus

At North, we believe the future of education starts with a safe, connected campus. As universities rapidly evolve into digital-first environments, new possibilities emerge for how students learn, collaborate, and connect. But with this transformation also come new challenges around safety, resilience, and compliance. 

The introduction of Martyn’s Law marks a turning point, prompting institutions to take more proactive steps to protect their communities. Now more than ever, integrated security and intelligent infrastructure aren’t just nice to have - they’re essential. 

Martyn’s Law: A New Standard for Campus Security 

Martyn’s Law, born from the tragedy of the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, introduces a new legal requirement for public venues, including universities, to be prepared for and responsive to potential threats. That means detailed risk assessments, proportionate physical and digital security measures, robust emergency planning, and staff training. 

For universities, as open, high-footfall, and dynamic environments, meeting these expectations calls for a smarter, more joined-up approach. 

Bringing Security Together: Integrated Access Control and Video Surveillance 

This is where we come in. At North, we bring together physical and digital security to deliver seamless, end-to-end protection. Our integrated access control and video surveillance solutions give universities real-time visibility, live incident verification, AI-enhanced alerts, and instant lockdown capabilities, all from a single, intelligent platform. It’s a smarter way to meet compliance requirements under Martyn’s Law, while also improving day-to-day safety and campus management. 

Smart Infrastructure in Action 

Security is only one part of the equation. A truly smart campus is also a connected one. 

We design and deliver infrastructure that brings your buildings to life - like classrooms that automatically adjust lighting and climate based on occupancy, or environmental sensors that trigger emergency procedures in real time. 

These connected systems don’t just respond faster, they help campuses become more efficient, more adaptable, and more resilient. 

Private 5G: Built for Resilience 

To ensure that systems remain connected. We deploy campus-wide networks that deliver fast, reliable, and low-latency performance, ensuring that mission-critical systems remain connected even in the most demanding environments. 

Unlike public cellular or fragmented local networks, private 5G ensures critical systems operate without disruption, providing a secure, high-capacity backbone for emergency communications. 

Wi-Fi First, People-First 

Alongside IoT and 5G, a Wi-Fi-first strategy keeps students, staff, and visitors connected wherever they are. North designs campus-wide wireless environments that are secure, seamless, and optimised for identity-based access and role-based authentication, giving people the right permissions at the right time. 

Whether it’s mobile credentials, access to digital learning platforms, or secure entry into buildings, everything works together to create a smoother, smarter campus experience. 

End-to-End Security 

However, with IT/OT convergence, they are now interconnected, opening new opportunities - but also new risks. 

The convergence of IT and OT systems introduces powerful new opportunities – but also creates new risks. Whilst operational technology (OT) like HVAC, surveillance cameras and access control, and surveillance become more intelligent, it also becomes part of the attack surface. 

We help universities stay ahead of these risks by delivering a robust IT/OT security framework, including network segmentation, zero-trust architecture, real-time monitoring, and anomaly detection. 

Our unified dashboard approach means IT and OT systems can be managed from a single control centre, providing complete visibility and faster threat response across the entire estate. 

Your Partner in Future-Proofing 

At North, we don’t just implement technology, we create ecosystems designed around your goals, your people, and your campus. From cloud-based access management and AI-driven video surveillance to secure, high-performance networks, our approach brings everything together in one connected, compliant solution. 

With Martyn’s Law setting a new benchmark for safety, the expectations are higher than ever for digital experience. North empowers organisations to meet and exceed those expectations and can support you to build a smarter, safer and more sustainable campus.  

Get in touch to start your smart campus journey.