Case Study: CCTV Server Upgrade at Madingley Hall

By admin | July 28, 2026

Supporting the long-term security of Madingley Hall

Advance Fire & Security has worked in partnership with the University of Cambridge for more than 10 years, providing ongoing maintenance and support for the CCTV and access control systems at Madingley Hall.

Dating back to the 16th century, Madingley Hall is a Grade I listed building that has formed part of the University for more than 78 years. Today, it hosts conferences, educational events, accommodation and a wide range of University activities, making reliable electronic security systems essential while protecting the historic character of the property.

Upgrading ageing CCTV infrastructure

After many years of dependable service, the site’s CCTV recording servers had reached the point where replacement was required.

The University needed a trusted contractor capable of delivering the upgrade quickly, ensuring the CCTV system remained reliable while keeping disruption to staff, visitors and day-to-day operations to an absolute minimum.

Thanks to our long-standing knowledge of the site and its existing security infrastructure, our team was able to assess the requirements immediately and develop a solution without delay.

Delivering the project with minimal disruption

Having maintained the site’s security systems for many years, we were able to move quickly from quotation through to installation.

The project included:

  • Replacement of the existing CCTV recording servers
  • Installation of modern server hardware
  • Migration of the existing CCTV system
  • Full commissioning and testing
  • Careful planning around the operational requirements of the Hall
  • Completion with minimal disruption to the building’s daily activities

Our engineers ensured the CCTV system remained fully operational throughout the upgrade, providing a smooth transition to the new infrastructure.

Improving reliability and future scalability

The new CCTV servers provide a more reliable and resilient platform for the University’s security system while creating capacity for future improvements.

The project was quoted, approved and completed within just a matter of days, demonstrating Advance Fire & Security’s ability to respond quickly without compromising on quality or attention to detail.

The University was extremely pleased with both the speed of delivery and the standard of workmanship, further strengthening a partnership that has continued for more than a decade.

Identifying future security improvements

As part of the project, our engineers also identified further opportunities to improve security and operational efficiency across the site.

Following discussions with the client, we were asked to prepare a proposal for a wireless electronic handle access control solution. This would provide greater flexibility when managing access throughout the historic building while minimising disruption to its historic fabric.

The proposal has since been submitted and is currently being considered as part of the University’s future investment programme.

A trusted long-term security partner

Advance Fire & Security continues to support Madingley Hall with the ongoing maintenance of its CCTV and access control systems.

This project demonstrates the value of long-term partnerships with heritage and educational organisations. By combining technical expertise with an understanding of sensitive historic environments, we help clients modernise critical security infrastructure while protecting the buildings in their care.

Posted in Case Studies, CCTV