The University of Kentucky (UK) has undertaken a significant upgrade of its surveillance infrastructure under the oversight of its police department, which manages security across the campus, an on-campus hospital, and the statewide UK HealthCare network. This modernization is designed to address the unique challenges of policing both an educational and healthcare environment.
“There are many differences when you look at policing on a college campus as well as healthcare institutions,” said Joseph Monroe, Chief of Police, University of Kentucky. “The University of Kentucky police are responsible for both.”
Large-scale Modernization
To better meet security demands, UK has transitioned to a unified surveillance system centered on Hanwha Vision technologies. This modernization effort consolidates previously fragmented systems, comprised of over 60 independent, mostly analog installations, into a cohesive network. Such consolidation mitigates blind spots, enhances coordination, and streamlines investigations, which is especially critical given the complexities of monitoring a hospital setting.
Edge-based Analytics
Deputy Chief of Police Nathan Brown emphasized the importance of real-time data, stating, “It's important to have real time information to be able to get awareness of what's going on... especially in places like our ERs, where things can get volatile very quickly at times.” In addition to enhancing situational awareness, the system respects privacy and HIPAA regulations by offering features like video masking or blurring as needed.
The deployment includes advanced multi-sensor cameras and high-resolution models (8K and 4K), along with edge-based analytics that enable immediate data capture directly at the camera level.
Improved Incident Response
A significant benefit of the new surveillance network is its use of multi-sensor cameras
Brown also noted the development of a roadmap to ensure comprehensive camera coverage across all buildings, “The first line of defense is making sure that you know who is coming into your facilities.” This integrated system has improved response workflows by allowing operators immediate access to live and recorded footage, which aids in quickly verifying threats and allocating resources effectively.
Reducing Infrastructure Demands
A significant benefit of the new surveillance network is its use of multi-sensor cameras. These devices provide 360-degree visibility with a single unit, reducing the number of cameras, cables, and licenses required, ultimately lowering installation and maintenance costs.
Beyond security, the UK police department aims to enhance operational efficiency by utilizing onboard camera analytics. Stephen Cornett, Security Systems Director, commented, “One thing that we're moving forward with on our roadmap, and with our standards, is to use those on-camera analytics a lot more for our operations.”
The modernized surveillance system underscores the University of Kentucky’s dedication to public safety, ensuring that security remains a central institutional focus. “Installing these cameras and the correct access control points at the right places,” Brown remarked, “Allows us to protect our community and make sure everyone understands that we're all in this together.”
The University of Kentucky’s (UK) police department oversees the surveillance infrastructure for the school’s main campus, but their responsibilities also include an on-campus hospital and the UK HealthCare statewide healthcare network, significantly expanding the scope and complexity of security operations.
“There are many differences when you look at policing on a college campus as well as healthcare institutions,” said Joesph Monroe, Chief of Police, University of Kentucky. “The University of Kentucky police are responsible for both.”
Large-scale modernisation
To address these demands, the University of Kentucky completed a large-scale modernisation of its surveillance infrastructure, transitioning to a unified camera ecosystem built around Hanwha Vision technologies.
Prior to the upgrade, the University’s surveillance environment consisted of more than 60 independent systems, many of them analog and deployed at a departmental level. This structure created blind spots, hindered coordination, and made investigations time-consuming, as security personnel were forced to navigate multiple platforms to reconstruct incidents – challenging for any surveillance team, but even more complex given the unique dynamics of a hospital environment.
Edge-based analytics
“It's important to have real time information to be able to get awareness of what's going on,” said Nathan Brown, Deputy Chief of Police of Administration, University of Kentucky. “Now we can provide our first responders with information so they can most safely respond, especially in places like our ERs, where things can get volatile very quickly at times.”
“But with that, you have to think about privacy, HIPAA requirements,” Monroe added. “There may be a time that you have to mask or blur out somebody’s video.” The UK deployment includes advanced multi-sensor cameras, 8K and 4K ultra-high-resolution models, and edge-based analytics that enable data capture directly at the camera level.
Incident response workflows
“We're developing a roadmap to make sure that every building has a 100% security perimeter camera coverage,” said Brown. “The first line of defense is making sure that you know who is coming into your facilities.”
This consolidated approach has significantly improved incident response workflows. Operators can now access live and recorded video immediately, enabling rapid verification of reported threats and supporting a more informed deployment of resources.
Reducing infrastructure demands
A major advantage of the new system lies in its use of multi-sensor cameras to replace traditional single-lens deployments. A single multi-sensor unit now delivers 360-degree visibility using one device, one cable, and one license. This approach has dramatically expanded coverage while reducing infrastructure demands, installation time, and long-term maintenance costs.
Beyond security, the University is leveraging onboard camera analytics to support operational efficiency. “One thing that we're moving forward with on our roadmap, and with our standards, is to use those on-camera analytics a lot more for our operations,” said Stephen Cornett, Security Systems Director, University of Kentucky Police Department.
Modernised surveillance system
Ultimately, the modernised surveillance system reinforces the University’s commitment to public safety, demonstrating through daily operations that security remains a top institutional priority.
“Installing these cameras and the correct access control points at the right places,” Brown said, “Allows us to protect our community and make sure everyone understands that we're all in this together."
