How to Improve Physical Security Inside Data Center

The heart of the information technology operation for any business is its data center, as this is where critical information is stored and processed, networks and systems are monitored, and operational reports are run, in addition to a host of other activities. The risk of an event that would slow or stop a data center's operation varies, depending on the security measures that are implemented. It is in the best interests of any company to protect its information technology assets to the greatest degree possible.

• 1

  Lock the doors, since this is one of the easiest measures to take to protect the data center. This keeps out deliberate bad guys, as well as inadvertent mishaps by well-meaning employees. Access should be limited to authorized personnel only, and service people who must have access to the data center.

• 2

  Install video surveillance both inside and outside the data center, and have a security person monitoring the video feed. You may or may not have people working in the data center at all hours, but either way, an extra set of eyes can see events unfolding that all of the monitoring systems may miss, such as a person in the data center when no one should be there.

• 3

  Ensure proper environmental control, since heat and dust are two of the biggest enemies of computing hardware. Data centers should be kept clean and cool, so the installation of more-than-adequate air conditioning systems, as well as daily cleaning is in order.

• 4

  Cyber criminals are looking for entry points to your networks and servers, rather than showing up at your data center physically. Install firewalls and intrusion detection/prevention systems to thwart digital intruders and stop them outside your data center.

• 5

  Install fire suppression. Fire in the data center is one of the highest risks, as the nature of technology is to produce heat, and printing on paper produces dust. Sprinklers, gas and oxygen depletion are some of the fire suppression methods available. Without some form of protection from fire, your data center is at great risk.