SMS emergency alerts now active

07 Jul 2026

SafeZone SMS alerts are now being rolled out across the University, enabling us to send urgent safety information directly to colleagues and students during emergencies.

Your safety is our priority. Following the launch of SafeZone on University-managed devices at the end of 2025, we are now rolling out Phase 2 of the SafeZone Safety Initiative. Instant, real-time SMS alerts (text messages) in the event of an emergency will now be enabled for all colleagues and students.

This capability allows us to swiftly inform the University community during any threat-to-life or high-priority situation and was developed in support of the University’s preparations for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act, as well as our wider commitment to building a safer, more resilient campus.

It means that, from now on, we will be able to send you urgent notifications directly to your mobile device, even if you aren’t logged into a University computer. This allows for instant communication during a wide range of possible serious incidents, including threat-to-life emergencies, severe weather, and cyber incidents. 

What you need to do

To ensure we’re able to contact you during an emergency, your number will be pulled from the Duo authentication app. If your number isn’t currently saved in Duo, you can update this by following our guidance.

What the messages will look like

Above are examples of SafeZone SMS notifications you may receive. These show how alerts will appear on your mobile, including how the sender is displayed and the type of information you’ll be given during an incident.

Messages will always be clearly labelled as SafeZone and written in plain, direct language so you can quickly understand what’s happening and what action (if any) you need to take.

Data used and how it’s protected

To deliver SMS alerts, SafeZone will only use your mobile number (with information pulled from Duo) and University email address. This is necessary for compliance with the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act.

Data will be managed and retained in line with the University’s privacy notice.