Overview
Universities face unique physical security challenges due to their open environments, diverse populations, and broad range of activities. Academic institutions must balance accessibility and collaboration with the need to protect people, research data, information systems, and critical infrastructure.
University campuses contain numerous assets requiring protection, including:
- Research laboratories
- Data centers and server rooms
- Administrative offices
- Student records and financial systems
- Medical and healthcare facilities
- Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)
- Specialized equipment and intellectual property
Physical security failures can lead to theft, sabotage, unauthorized disclosure of private and restricted/restricted-regualted information, disruption of operations, regulatory violations, and safety concerns for students, faculty, and staff.
Key physical security expectations include:
- Limiting physical access to facilities containing sensitive information systems.
- Verifying and controlling visitor access.
- Monitoring physical access points.
- Protecting and managing physical access devices such as keys, badges, and access cards.
- Escorting visitors when necessary.
- Maintaining records of physical access.
- Controlling and securing alternate work sites containing sensitive information.
Physical security remains a foundational element of information security within higher education. By applying the physical protection principles, The University can better protect research activities, sensitive information, critical infrastructure, and the broader campus community. A risk-based physical security program that combines access controls, monitoring, visitor management, environmental safeguards, and governance processes helps the University support both security and academic openness while meeting regulatory and contractual obligations.