Auburn University, a prominent state educational institution located in Auburn, Alabama, has adopted an innovative key management solution to bolster campus security for its community, which includes approximately 22,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff members.
The university faced significant challenges in managing access across its sprawling campus of more than 230 buildings, some over a century old. Traditional keys remain crucial in securing these facilities, but managing them efficiently and securely is a major concern.
Addressing Security Needs
To enhance security and streamline access control, Auburn University turned to Morse Watchmans' KeyWatcher, a wall-mounted key storage cabinet.
This intelligent system replaces outdated lock boxes and unreliable manual logs, offering a sophisticated solution for key management. The KeyWatcher system ensures keys are only accessible to authorized users, requiring a specific authorization code for release. It also records detailed access history, which includes user identification, as well as check-out and return times.
Implementation and Usage
Auburn University employs seven KeyWatcher key banks to facilitate access for security
The decision to implement the KeyWatcher system was influenced by its ability to address various security and access control challenges. Auburn University employs seven KeyWatcher key banks to facilitate access for security, facility, and emergency personnel.
The system not only permits authorized key access but also maintains comprehensive tracking of key usage. This includes logging when keys are retrieved, by whom, and when they are returned. If a key is not returned within the authorized timeframe, an alert is sent to the central system to notify staff of the discrepancy.
Enhanced Security and Monitoring
The use of the KeyWatcher system has significantly reduced the number of lost keys and potential security breaches by minimizing unnecessary key exposure.
Keys are dutifully tracked during usage, monitoring both time and user information to ensure timely return. Should any key remain checked out beyond its authorized period, the system flags it, promptly informing relevant personnel to address the situation.
Try our KeyWatcher Configurator tool to design your ideal system to meet your requirements (Note: if using a mobile device, please turn the phone to landscape mode.)
