After extensive research, Baylor University elected to deploy the NiceVision video management solution. In 2019, the system was upgraded to VisionHub with Qognify NVRs and more than 550 cameras.
Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas, Baylor University is the oldest continually operating university in the state. Baylor is the largest Baptist University in the world, with a campus that accommodates more than 15,000 students and covers 1,000 acres, more than 85 buildings and a new oncampus football stadium. It is a nationally ranked research institution and has a reputation for educational excellence that prepares students for worldwide leadership and service.
The challenge
A priority for all educational institutions is ensuring the safety of its student body, faculty and campus facilities. Baylor sought a video surveillance solution that could provide coverage for its current environment and grow with the university into the future. The solution needed to be flexible to allow for centralized and decentralized management and allow for varying levels of access to the system and recorded material.
The solution
After extensive research, Baylor University elected to deploy the NiceVision video management solution. In 2019, the system was upgraded to VisionHub with Qognify NVRs and more than 550 cameras.
VisionHub’s centralized and decentralized management capabilities enable Baylor to restrict access to view and operate cameras to relevant campus departments. “One of the things we really liked about the Qognify system is that we are able to differentiate what specific users are able to do and what they have access to,” commented Jon Allen, Assistant Vice President & Chief Information Security Officer, Baylor University.
Protecting student privacy is critical for the university. The Qognify solution allows the university to restrict access to recorded video to police investigators and other security personnel.
The result
Since the implementation of the NiceVision solution, Baylor reports a major decline in criminal activity. The university attributes this decline to the deterrent effect of cameras across campus and the ability to produce high-quality video evidence in criminal investigations.
Another concern for the university was the amount of bandwidth a comprehensive video surveillance solution would require. “We were able to configure the Qognify solution on our campus network so that the video coming into the NVRs is on its own network”, said Allen. This approach allows Qognify to operate without interfering with campus network traffic, which is important as Baylor continues to grow.
Qognify not only responded to Baylor’s present security concerns, but also demonstrated the flexibility to meet their future needs. Bob Hartland, Associate Vice President for IT Infrastructure, explained that his first indication that the NiceVision solution would suit Baylor’s needs actually came from a competing vendor, “We brought in two or three other vendors, and one of the things I thought was interesting was that one vendor in particular kept comparing themselves to Qognify, saying that they were going to get to where Qognify was… and I’m thinking, ‘Well, I think I should be talking to Qognify.”
The customer
“We wanted to come in with an enterprise system that could be deployed across the university, would allow us to control permissions, and would ensure the consistency of the quality of video across all of our different systems. We wanted a product we could have confidence in and be able to support.” Jon Allen, Assistant Vice President & Chief Information Security Officer, Baylor University.
“More people have admitted to their involvement in illegal activities. NiceVision has really helped the overall security of the campus.” Brent Howell, Investigator, Baylor University Police Department.