The forthcoming legislation known as Martyn’s Law, officially the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, imposes some sweeping changes across both public and private sectors. That notably includes higher education.

Table of Contents
  1. What Is Martyn’s Law? Protecting UK Universities from Terrorist Threats
  2. Practical Steps for Universities to Comply with Martyn’s Law
  3. Key Emergency Scenarios Colleges Must Prepare for under Martyn’s Law
  4. How Real Time Networks Supports Enhanced Campus Security
  5. Stay Ahead of Campus Security Risks with Intelligent Key and Asset Management Solutions

Major policy changes, like those brought about by Martyn’s Law, can lead to many short-term headaches while security teams figure out how to update their campus security programs. One aspect of campus security that many may not have considered is their physical key management. Martyn’s Law impacts how colleges and universities deal with physical keys in some important ways. 

This article lays out exactly what Martyn’s Law requires in higher ed and untangles how you should update your campus key management processes. 

 

What Is Martyn’s Law? Protecting UK Universities from Terrorist Threats

Martyn's Law aims to lessen the risk of and damage from terrorist attacks in the UK. It enforces elevated response capabilities on many public premises, including many higher education campuses. Its practical applications are rooted in the "Protect" and "Prepare" pillars of the government's broader counter-terrorism strategy, CONTEST. 

Martyn’s Law requires colleges and universities to implement measures to safeguard the community of students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors during an emergency. It allows for a balance between security and accessibility, but in many cases, security enhancements will be necessary. 

The Act's provisions have been shaped through collaboration with security experts, businesses, local authorities, and the dedicated Martyn's Law campaign team. Ultimately, the new Act aims to improve public safety from terrorism by mandating that specific public premises and events are prepared and equipped to protect people during an attack. Larger premises will be legally required to assess their vulnerability to terrorism and implement appropriate measures to mitigate those risks.

Martyn’s Law Compliance Levels: Standard and Enhanced Tiers Explained   

Under Martyn’s Law, requirements for higher education institutions vary according to the number of individuals it is reasonable to expect may be present on campus on a given day.

Martyn’s Law Requirements for Small Campuses (Standard Tier Explained)

Under Martyn’s Law, “smaller premises” are defined as institutions where 200-799 individuals may be present at a given time. The requirements in this tier are generally simple, low-cost activities feasible within smaller organizations' budgets. These limited expenditures aim to ensure smaller higher ed institutions can better manage access during day-to-day operations and reduce harm in the event of an attack. 

There is no requirement to put in place physical measures in the standard tier. Additional actions could be as simple as establishing policies for enforcing previously undocumented best practices, such as locking doors during off-hours and setting procedures for shelter-in-place events and evacuations.  

Those responsible for premises within the Standard Tier will be required to:

  • Establish and maintain, so far as reasonably practicable, appropriate public protection procedures that could reasonably be expected to lessen the risk of physical harm to individuals if an attack happens at or near the premises. 

Enhanced Security Requirements for Large Campuses under Martyn’s Law

Larger premises of 800 individuals or more, which can include qualifying public events at smaller institutions, fall under the regulations of the Enhanced Tier. All of the requirements for the Standard Tier apply. Then, further requirements include having measures to reduce the public’s vulnerability to acts of terrorism and the risk of physical harm if one were to occur. 

For example, appropriate measures for larger premises could include bag search policies, CCTV or other monitoring, and vehicle checks. 

Those accountable for premises and qualifying events within the enhanced tier—meaning qualifying locations and events where it's reasonable to anticipate more than 800 individuals being present concurrently—will be required to: 

  • Follow all requirements of the Standard Tier.
  • Maintain appropriate public protection procedures that will reduce both the risk of injury or death if an attack were to happen at or near the premises, and the vulnerability of the premises or event to a terrorist act occurring. 
  • Document the procedures in place, or that are proposed to be put in place to comply with Martyn’s Law, and provide this documentation to the Security Industry Authority. 

Universal Martyn’s Law Principles: What Every Campus Needs to Know

Regardless of the tier in which your organization or public events fall, all requirements can follow the principle of 'reasonably practicable.' This concept, also found in regulations from the Health and Safety Executive, dictates that in determining what is reasonably practicable, the responsible person must consider their specific circumstances, including the nature of the premises and the resources at their disposal. 

Ultimately, what is appropriate and reasonably practicable will be assessed individually for each premises within the scope of Martyn’s Law. The specific procedures deemed suitable and reasonably practicable for one location may not be the same for another.

 

Practical Steps for Universities to Comply with Martyn’s Law

Implementing reasonably practicable security measures may sound vague and daunting, but there are some fairly straightforward steps most colleges and universities in the UK can take to meet compliance. At a high level, every institution should first ensure that it takes a few fundamental actions: 

 

Essential Security Procedures for Higher Education Evacuation Plans       

Every higher ed institution should step back and critically evaluate evacuation procedures. Do they include management of high-impact scenarios like terrorist attacks? Consider specific scenarios such as bomb threats, active shooters, or simply the presence of dangerous individuals. 

 

Emergency evacuation plan for campus buildings showing escape routes and safety protocols.

How to Develop Effective Campus Lockdown Procedures  

Here is where ‘reasonably practicable’ really comes into play. You must develop clear and context-specific lockdown protocols that make sense for your campus. Urban, rural, arts, sciences, or vocational training, each type of institute will have different facilities and possible risks. Develop shelter-in-place and evacuation procedures that guide securing buildings and safely moving individuals away from potential danger. 

Adopt procedures for safely managing both physical keys and critical emergency response assets, such as radios, first aid kits, PPE, and firearms. An intelligent asset management system, like AssetTracer, can automate tracking and signouts so your personnel can focus on emergency response efforts.

Campus security and administrative team planning emergency preparedness strategies.

Creating Reliable Emergency Communication Plans for Universities         

Alongside your response procedures, you need reliable communication plans. There should be clear lines of communication with first responders and campus leadership from security, facilities, and other essential departments. You need to know where people are located on your campus as fast as possible, how evacuations unfold, and how access control functions. 

 

 
ampus security personnel monitoring real-time surveillance feeds for threat detection.

Discover Intelligent Key and Asset Management Designed for Universities

Enhance campus security and effortlessly meet Martyn’s Law compliance requirements with solutions tailored specifically for higher education.

 

Explore University Solutions
 

 

Key Emergency Scenarios Colleges Must Prepare for under Martyn’s Law

The steps above are general, but essential for every institution. To comply with Martyn’s Law, higher education institutions should also develop specific preparedness strategies for the following scenarios: 

 

  • Responding to External Campus Security Threats

    Implement procedures to secure the campus perimeter and safely bring all individuals indoors.

  • Handling Active Threats on Campus Grounds Effectively

    Focus on securing buildings and strategically moving people away from the immediate vicinity of the threat. 

  • Protecting Students and Staff from Threats Inside University Buildings

    Establish clear protocols for locking down individual spaces and, if necessary, barricading doors to provide immediate protection. 

 

How Real Time Networks Supports Enhanced Campus Security

Real Time Networks offers intelligent physical key and asset management solutions that support the principles of preparedness emphasized by legislation like Martyn's Law: 

Intelligent Key Cabinets

RTN intelligent key cabinets provide a secure and auditable system for storing and tracking physical keys. Only authorized personnel can sign out keys when permitted. They enhance accountability and provide a digital “paper trail” you can follow in real time so you always know who has which keys and where.

AssetTracer Systems: Intelligent Lockers for Campus Emergencies:

AssetTracer AT and UT locker systems provide automated equipment management during both day-to-day operations and emergencies. They can help you manage rapid response equipment when you need it the most. And you can also use them for routine tasks, such as tracking loaner laptops.

Centralized Key Management: Real-Time Security Monitoring:

With our networked RTN dashboard, you can manage keys through a centralized platform. You’ll gain real-time visibility over key access across your campus, during day-to-day operations and emergencies.

Why Audit Trails Improve Campus Security Accountability:

Real Time Networks systems automatically record every key transaction, including who accessed which key and when. You’ll be able to monitor key usage in real time, quickly identify any irregularities in use, overdue key returns, and immediately address potential security risks. You can quickly take action on any overdue or missing keys that pose a potential security risk.

Integration of Intelligent Asset Management Systems with Existing Campus Security Infrastructure:

Our key and asset management solutions are designed to integrate seamlessly with existing access control systems, HR databases, and other security platforms. This unified approach provides a holistic view of campus security and simplifies the management of access privileges across all university buildings and facilities.

Customizable Access Permissions:

Access to keys and assets can be precisely tailored based on individual roles, responsibilities, and security clearance levels. Highly granular control ensures that only authorized staff can retrieve keys or equipment relevant to their jobs. You’ll minimize the risk of lost and misplaced assets or keys, and know instantly if any are unaccounted for.

 

Stay Ahead of Campus Security Risks with Intelligent Key and Asset Management Solutions

As colleges and universities across the UK look to strengthen their security plans to comply with Martyn’s Law, it looks increasingly like intelligent key management systems can play an important role. Real Time Networks offers solutions beyond simply managing keys, providing a foundation for long-term security strategies that enhance compliance, improve operational efficiency, and, most importantly, contribute to a safer learning environment across all campus facilities. 

Explore our intelligent management solutions specifically designed for the Higher Education sector. 

Real Time Networks in a demo demonstrating secure intelligent locker system for key and asset control

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Jay Palter

Jay Palter

Vice President of Marketing & Partnerships