data center security: always a main concern for businesses

DATA CENTER SECURITY: ALWAYS A MAIN CONCERN FOR BUSINESSES

DATA CENTER SECURITY :ALWAYS A MAIN CONCERN FOR BUSINESSES

• When it comes to what customers value, data center security tops the list.

• Of course, power, cooling, connectivity and other features play important roles in evaluating data center performance as well.

• But any defects in physical facility security can have devastating effects.


Protecting Against Physical Intrusion

•Data center security starts with the physical building being guarded against intrusion.

•A good security model begins with 24/7/365 in-house security staff, layered security zones, security cameras and 360-degree monitoring.

•It’s also critical to have a safe office to house data center security personnel.

•This office should provide a direct view of all non-alarmed entrance points to the facility.

•The security personnel needs to be able to evaluate and screen all people entering and exiting the facility.



•Preferably at the reception area, the data center security office should be enclosed with strong glass enclosures that can be quickly closed to keep out intruders.

•This space must be able to house security personnel alone so they can evaluate a situation and call for emergency assistance when needed. •Proven access control systems must regulate all facility entrances.

•Typical data center security methods for access control include swipe cards, digilocks, biometrics and turn-style doors that prevent tail-gating.



•Many data centers use a combination of these methods. Such combinations provide an excellent deterrent to intrusion attempts.

•Security personnel must also be trained on internal processes regarding

Who is authorized to enter the facility? Who can enter to make deliveries?

Who can remove equipment for repairs?

•Current access procedures require collaboration and vendor management.


Adding More Eyes and Ears to Data Center Security •No data center can possibly hire enough security guards to see everything going on in the facility around the clock.

•Installing cameras and monitoring devices such as CCTV control systems can monitor all external entrances and any other area of the facility continuously.

•The monitoring system must provide real-time alerts and record all activity for follow-up review and analysis.

•Alerts should be provided to the security team whether they’re in the security office or away on security rounds.


Adding More Eyes and Ears to Data Center Security •As with any technology, the monitoring system and security personnel will only be as good as the training provided, processes developed and procedures followed.

•If the internal data center security program is flawed in any way, the facility will be at risk.


It Boils Down to Trust •Companies select colocation providers for a number of reasons.

•However, security is always a main concern.

•After a business does its preliminary assessment of a provider, it then visits the facility to evaluate the physical features, including data center security.

•At the end of the day, the customer wants to see stringent security controls and monitoring technologies in place.

•It wants to see sophisticated cameras and monitoring equipment.


It Boils Down to Trust •But most of all, companies want to see a professional security team in place around the clock.

•Nothing builds trust more than a properly trained, expert security staff on-site continuously. •CyrusOne uses military-grade data center security protocols to protect all physical assets and provide zero threat of unauthorized access or infiltration.


It Boils Down to Trust •Our specific security profile includes:

On-site security guards 24/7/365

Video surveillance and recording of all exteriors and interiors

Biometric and key card access control

Turn style doors to prevent tail-gating

Reinforced physical structure including concrete bollards, steel-lined walls,

bulletproof glass and barbed wire fencing

ABOUT THE AUTHORNicole Aguillard is the marketing director for CyrusOne, a global enterprise colocation provider operating 23 highly secure data centers across the United States, London and Singapore.

For more information about our data center security and colocation solutions, please contact us online or call (855) 564-3198 today.

data center security: always a main concern for businesses

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