What is Data Center Security? And How to Improve It?

data center security solutions

Introduction

The data center is a critical piece of any company’s infrastructure. The more complex your business becomes, the more important it is to keep your data safe. Data centers are vulnerable to theft, sabotage and other types of attacks that could lead to loss of critical information or even cause life-threatening injuries for employees working in them. Data center security plays an important role in preventing these types of incidents from happening by providing protection from potential intruders who might be trying to gain access into your facility using various methods such as hacking techniques or physical force against security guards stationed there (cf.).

Data Center Security – Definition

Data center security is a topic that can be confusing to the average user, but it’s actually quite simple. In fact, there are only two main threats that affect data centers: 

  • Physical access to your hardware (i.e., someone breaking into your building) 
  • Malicious software on your equipment or network (i.e., malware or viruses) 

Why Is Data Center Security So Important?

Why is data center security so important? Data centers are the backbone of the modern business world. They store and process sensitive and confidential data, which makes them a target for cybercriminals. Data centers can be physical targets as well, so you have to be prepared for both types of attacks. Data center security solutions should also include physical protection against intrusion or sabotage—so that if an intruder breaks into your building, he won’t be able to leave with any valuable information or hardware on his person (or inside). 

Tips to Improve Data Center Security

  • Make sure all data center doors are locked.
  • Use access cards to control who enters the data center.
  • Install fire suppression systems, if necessary.
  • Keep hot and cold aisles separate, so that only one person can be operating in each at any given time (or limit access to those areas).
  • Limit access to the data center by installing ID badges for employees who need it most—those who work on servers or manage sensitive information such as payment card data or personal records—and requiring them wear these tags at all times when they’re in their assigned area of responsibility within the facility.
  1. Have a Separate Server Room

Server rooms should be secure and isolated from the rest of the data center. This means having no windows, only a single entrance, and controlled access to it. It also means being climate controlled and fireproof; if there is not enough space for all servers in one room it’s best to have multiple server rooms instead of just one big one (the same goes for cooling). 

Finally, monitor video surveillance at your facility so that you can see who enters or leaves any given area at any given time. 

  1. Limit Accessibility & Use Access Cards

Access control is an important part of data center security that can be used to limit access to all areas of the facility. The use of access cards is one way to do this. Access control is also vital in preventing unauthorized access to servers, racks and even individual computers inside your data center. It’s important that you have good controls on who has access and where they go so you know who has been working on which computer systems at any given time.

Using smart card technology allows employers like IBM (NYSE: IBM) or Hewlett Packard Enterprise (NYSE: HPE) can enforce policies such as limiting employee hours spent at desks without supervision or restricting certain users from having access altogether if they are underperforming their duties properly.

  1. Secure Your Physical Entrances & Exits

Not only do you want to protect your data from criminals, but also from other people who may come in to steal it. The best way to do this is by adding physical security measures like lockable doors and card readers, as well as biometric scanners for employee identity verification. If an intruder does get inside your building (or if someone with ill intent gets access), having an alarm system is also a great idea because it will alert authorities when triggered by an intrusion or movement within the premises 

  1. Prevent Hot & Cold Aisles from Mixing

The most important thing you can do to protect your data center is to keep the hot aisle and cold aisle separate. This means that there should be a clear physical line between them, and no door or partition that allows air from one area to cross over into the other. 

Hot air needs to flow through your data center so it can be cooled down in order for systems like servers and storage units to run properly. Hot air needs plenty of space in order for these fans (or pumps) inside those devices work efficiently at cooling down their heatsinks or radiators respectively. 

However, if you have too much heat coming out of one end of your building—whether it’s due poor airflow through ductwork or something else—then cold air will get sucked back into this section instead! This causes an imbalance between both sides; therefore, leading directly towards increased energy usage costs down the road due primarily because there won’t always be enough warm/coolant mixture present within each machine room where they’re located within our facility!

  1. Install Fire Suppression Systems

Fire suppression systems are a key element in any data center security plan. They help protect your facility from fires, which can be caused by either natural or man-made disasters. In fact, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), it’s not uncommon for data centers to have multiple fires each year—and that doesn’t even include backups that may be destroyed during such incidents! To prevent this from happening on your property or at an offsite location where you store data backups, you need to install fire suppression systems like sprinkler systems or detectors.

The first thing you should do before installing these types of devices is make sure there aren’t any restrictions placed on them by local authorities like zoning laws or building codes prohibiting their use; otherwise they’ll never get installed properly! Once those issues are addressed then check out our recommendations below:

Protect your data center before you get hacked!

You must begin to protect your data center before you get hacked. This is not a time for panic or inaction, but rather a time for action. The sooner you start, the better off your company will be.

A good first step would be to conduct an audit of all of the security measures in place and make sure they meet industry standards and regulations. This can be done by contacting an experienced auditor who can help with this process or through an automated system that tracks compliance issues over time.

Conclusion

So, how do you improve your data center security? The answer is simple: by following these five best practices. By doing so, you will not only protect your business but also ensure that it runs smoothly and efficiently.

Read More: What Is Data Center Security? 7 Ways to Ensure Your Interests Are Protected | TI Infotech Blog