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  3. Physical Security

Video Surveillance (CCTV) and Electronic Access Control

  • Service available to: Faculty, Staff, Researchers
  • Themes: Equipment, Safety, Security, Spaces
  • Service Category: Physical Security
  • Service Areas: Building Surveillance (CCTV), Building Alarms and Monitoring, Incident and Emergency Response Management, Physical Access Management
  • Fees May Apply:

Description of Service

This service provides faculty, staff, and researchers with access to video surveillance technologies (i.e. Closed Circuit Television or CCTV) and that can enable continuous or periodic viewing or monitoring of an area for security purposes. It also provides access to electronic access control systems.

Video surveillance can be located in buildings, on building exteriors, and in parking lots. Video surveillance can be useful for:

  • Enhancing the personal safety of faculty, staff, students and members of the general public while using premises monitored by video surveillance systems.
  • Providing a deterrent to crime.
  • Helping to protect property and other assets of the university and individuals.

Electronic access control systems can be located on exterior and interior building doors. Electronic access control can be useful for:

  • Enhancing security for a particular area that has high-value assets (e.g. intellectual property, sensitive research) or where sensitive or controlled goods may be stored.
  • Supporting regulatory compliance by providing audit trails for a particular location.
  • Substituting card access for standard keys in locations that have high volumes of key turnover.

This service includes:

  • Assessing the physical security risk of the location.
  • Conducting a Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) for video surveillance for the location.
  • Providing options, designing a solution, and estimating costs.
  • Arranging for installation of video surveillance equipment and/or electronic access control.
  • Responding to alarms when needed.

Video surveillance and electronic access controls assist with the university’s response to and investigation of alleged criminal acts. Many university locations are already electronically protected, such as high traffic public area. Video surveillance is also installed in Protective Services’ patrol vehicles. Areas that are electronically protected may have a warning sign posted.

Access

Faculty, staff, and researchers can request a CCTV video surveillance and electronic access control evaluation by emailing electronic.protection@usask.ca

Faculty, staff, and researchers at the Saskatoon main campus and K W Nasser Centre (Downtown Campus) needing to report a security incident should contact Protective Services at 306-966-5555.

Faculty, staff, and researchers at the following locations need to report security incidents differently:

  • Merlis Belsher Place and West Winds Primary Health Centre – call the Saskatoon Police Service
  • University campuses in other locations (e.g. Regina, Prince Albert, La Ronge, etc.) – call the local law enforcement for that jurisdiction.

Please do not report emergencies via email!

Availability of Support

Core Hours: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
After Hours: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

Service Standards

  • The university has a responsibility to ensure that its video surveillance cameras for security purposes are operational and appropriately maintained in the event that video evidence is required. Unauthorized cameras place the university at risk.
  • Video surveillance will be installed only when less intrusive options have been considered but determined to be inadequate for the purpose.
  • The central Protective Services Dispatch Operations Centre is located in a high-security area that has restricted access and is staffed at all times.
  • Protective Services maintains an alternate phone line for when there are power and/or network issues that affect the university. In those situations Protective Services can be reached at 306-956-5555.

Service Exclusions, Limitations, and Restrictions

  • Protective Services may require the removal of any video surveillance systems installed on property owned, occupied, and under the control of the university when:
    • Location of video surveillance system does not meet criteria for installation.
    • Technology not compliant with the current technical specifications for the installation of a new video surveillance system.
    • Approval for video surveillance system was not received from Protective Services.
  • Decommissioning or relocation may also occur when video surveillance is no longer needed in a particular area (i.e. the space use has changed).
  • Signage is not required in every space where CCTV data may be captured. Factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, the publicness of the space, the risk of criminal activity, and the need for deterrence. Legal services and/or the privacy office will be consulted with as necessary to determine when signage is necessary.

Service Charges

  • There are no service charges for the assessment, solution design, and cost estimate.
  • Units are responsible for hardware costs and equipment installation. The current rate for installation is $75/hour.

Related Terms

CCTV, Card access, Closed circuit television, Door alarms, Electronic access control, Electronic protection, Electronic security, Intrusion alarms, Video surveillance