A safe data centre starts with a well-secured site

Data centres are the heart of digital infrastructure, which our current way of life depends on. That is why it is important that data centres have proper security. This starts with the security of the site. In this blog, Robbert van Ham, Product Manager at Heras, explains which factors play a role. And how to assess the location of your data centre for various security risks. Have you considered these 7 safety factors?

Data centres play a vital role in our world, which is why it is important to have the best possible security 24/7. To determine the most effective means of protection, we must first identify the security need. We do this by posing a number of questions and devising possible scenarios.

Is existing security sufficient?
First of all, we look at existing security. We investigate whether existing solutions offer your data centre sufficient protection. And whether the security is appropriate as a whole. Specifically we ask are there any weaknesses? Is the site compartmentalized into closed safety zones?

Mapping usage
It is also important to know the frequency of movement taking place on your site every day. How many visitors do you get? How many employees are onsite daily? How many suppliers visit? Once we have mapped these flows of movement, we can assess the requirements that the security solutions must meet.

Access under control
Access is an important part of security. Who has permission to enter the site? How do you know who is on the site at a given time? Do people have to register in advance for access? For example, is there a need for a lock in which people are screened? And which access solutions are suitable for this?

An appropriate appearance
Then we consider what appearance the security should have. Should the protective equipment visibly deter intruders? Perhaps you regularly receive visitors in your data centre and want to maintain a clean, open appearance? It could be that your data centre is inconspicuous and do you not want to disrupt that appearance with heavy security solutions. Different solutions fit different circumstances. If you want as much visible deterrence as possible, we could go for high steel mesh fences with barbed wire, for example. If you are looking for a safe solution with a more friendly appearance, we will, for example, use discreet cameras and a bar fence with hidden vibration detection.

An eye for the environment
We also pay attention to the location of your data centre. What impact do environmental factors have on the safety of your site? For example, is there water that forms a natural barrier against intruders? Is there a residential area nearby that limits the maximum height of your fencing? Or does your data centre border on roads that make it possible for potential intruders to approach your site?

Optimal integration with additional security
We always look for optimal connection with your other security measures. We take into account the alarm response by, for example, an external emergency room. We then ensure that the security measures delay intruders sufficiently so that security guards have time to respond. And if there are security guards on your site, we can set up a local control room with screens that allow them to monitor the entire site.

Take into account all scenarios
We also list the scenarios against which your site security must be resistant. Have there been security breaches in the past? Which scenarios can reasonably be expected? And what does that mean for the security of your site? For example, some data centres are sensitive to activist statements. Others must be able to withstand extreme situations, such as vehicles entering the demarcation at high speed. In that case we opt for crash-rated solutions.

Combine all factors for an appropriate solution
The security of your data centre starts at your site. This means there is a lot involved! In this blog, you only read a few of the many factors that play a role. Together, these factors determine which solutions suit your data centre. You will read more about these solutions in a subsequent blog.

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