When most businesses think about a secure data centre, they immediately think of firewalls, encryption, and other cybersecurity measures. But physical security is just as important for data centres. All the cybersecurity in the world won’t help you if the building housing your data servers isn’t secured.
Below are some critical physical security measures that every data centre should be employing.
Perimeter security
Like any other sensitive site, data centres need to have a secure perimeter. High-security perimeter fencing will immediately improve data centre security by making it difficult to access the building without using the security gate. It is recommended that for any data centre perimeter that a tested, rated and approved perimeter fencing and gate system is specified to keep the data centre safe and secure and provide your client with peace of mind that high standards in manufacturing are kept. These rated and approved fencing systems are typically independently tested by CPNI, LPS1175, PAS 68 or IWA14
Physical access control
The only people who should have physical access to your data centre and servers should be those with a genuine need. Digital access control systems require security codes, keycards, or other forms of authentication to ensure that only authorised personnel can access restricted areas. They also make it easy to monitor where people are and maintain records of who has accessed each area of your data centre.
Penetration testing
Penetration testing is the most reliable way of auditing digital and physical security. Put, pen-testing involves trying to breach your own defences. If you manage to defeat the security measures in place, you will know where the gaps are and where additional measures need to be introduced.
Keeping a data centre secure is about more than just deterring hackers. The location itself needs to be protected to maintain the security and integrity of any data stored in a data centre. Fortunately, many of the most effective security options are simple and cost-efficient.