Connected technologies are helping schools turn campus data into insights that support safety, operations, and the student experience.
Schools have long been early adopters of technology, but many institutions are still working to realize the full potential of the Internet of Things (IoT). The latest episode of the Secure Insights podcast explores how connected technologies can help both K–12 schools and higher education institutions create smarter, safer, and more efficient campuses.
Host Alex Walthers, Team Lead, Technology Integration Partners, Axis Communications, is joined by Jill Renihan, Segment Development Manager, Education, Axis Communications, and Andrew Kertesz, Channel Partner End Customer Manager, Canada, Axis Communications, to discuss findings from the report, Smart campuses, smarter decisions: Unlocking the potential of IoT in schools. The report was written by the Hoffman Agency.
The conversation examines why some schools must overcome challenges to expand their use of IoT, despite having already relied on connected technologies for applications such as video surveillance and access control. Budget constraints, legacy infrastructure, cybersecurity concerns, and siloed departments are often the culprits, even as these institutions learn how connected infrastructure can create opportunities that extend beyond traditional security.
Throughout the episode, Jill and Andrew explore how schools can use data from connected devices to make more informed decisions about their facilities and operations. Occupancy and traffic data, for example, can help institutions better understand how classrooms and buildings are actually being used. Environmental sensors can provide insight into factors such as air quality and CO₂ levels, helping administrators support more comfortable learning environments.
The episode highlights how IoT can support the broader campus experience. Universities often function much like small cities, with classrooms, residence halls, bookstores, cafés, stadiums, parking areas, and event spaces all operating within the same environment. Connected technologies can help institutions better understand crowd movement, manage queues, improve space utilization, and identify opportunities to improve the efficiency of everyday campus operations.
The conversation also looks at how schools can approach modernization without necessarily replacing everything they already have. Open standards can allow organizations to build on existing infrastructure while creating a more flexible foundation for future applications. This becomes especially important as AI plays a larger role in analyzing information to help teams make faster, more informed decisions.
It’s about being aware of what you already have. We’ve talked about access control and video surveillance; I think [institutions] already have those things but don’t necessarily think of them as IoT devices. A lot of the devices that they’re already using, or the software that they’re already utilizing to manage those devices, they all have analytics capabilities built into them. The users just haven’t been shown how to use. It’s more of an information barrier than a technology barrier.
— Andrew Kertesz, Channel Partner End Customer Manager, Canada, Axis Communications
Ultimately, creating a smarter campus does not require transforming every system at once. The episode encourages schools to begin by assessing their existing technology, identifying a specific operational or security challenge, and determining where connected data could help address it. Starting with a focused use case can help organizations demonstrate value while building a roadmap for broader IoT adoption.
Whether you're a school administrator, campus security professional, facilities leader, IT director, system integrator, or technology decision-maker, this episode offers practical insights into how IoT can help educational institutions make better use of their existing infrastructure and prepare for the campuses of the future.
To hear the entire conversation, watch the full episode below.
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