UT Police has been selected as a recipient of the 2023 CSO50 Awards. The recognition reflects the division’s commitment to security through its innovative technological projects and practices. 

The CSO50 Awards – organized by CSO, which provides news, analysis and research on security and risk management topics – honor 50 organizations for security projects and initiatives that demonstrate outstanding business value and thought leadership. 

Highlighted in the nomination was the Institutional Video Management System Stabilization, an undertaking that aimed to enhance the stability and capabilities of our institutional video management system to enhance the safety of MD Anderson and UTHealth Houston. Beginning in April 2022, the division began to centralize 3 disparate video recording solutions into one comprehensive solution. In some locations that could not support a fixed camera with appropriate analytical capabilities, the technology team deployed license plate reader cameras. 

The Institutional Video Management System Stabilization project is currently in Phase 2 after a successful Phase 1 which transferred 25 percent of the cameras from a now decommissioned video platform into the Avigilon security system. Phase 2 aims to ensure our high-traffic entry point locations have enhanced camera coverage and capabilities while continuing to move the remaining cameras onto the new platform.   

“We are incredibly proud to receive this prestigious award, which recognizes the innovative spirit and collective success mindset of our Combined Protection Model,” said Ray Gerwitz, the division’s associate vice president and deputy chief security officer. “This recognition reaffirms our commitment to embracing innovation and collaboration as we continue to evolve our security practices and build upon our efforts to better protect our community from harm.” 

The CSO50 Award winners were selected by a panel of judges comprising industry experts, academics, and thought leaders who evaluated nominations from across various sectors. 

To learn more about the CSO50 Awards and view the complete list of winners, visit the CSO website.