• Keeping data centers secure and maintained requires a combination of physical security measures, environmental maintenance, and network security.
• Physical security measures for data centers include installing CCTV surveillance equipment, utilizing access control systems, and having guards onsite.
• Data centers require environmental maintenance to remain operational, including monitoring humidity levels and checking airflow.
• Network security is critical for protecting sensitive data from malicious attacks, such as configuring firewalls and investing in anti-virus software.
In the age of high technology, data centers are essential for businesses to stay connected and secure. As a business owner, you know how important it is to keep your data centers secure and maintained. After all, these are the backbones of your digital operations. Data centers are vulnerable to a variety of threats, both physical and cyber-related.
If your data centers aren’t secure and properly taken care of, you may face serious disruptions in service or, worse, a data breach. So, what steps can you take to protect your company’s IT infrastructure? Explore some best practices for keeping your data centers safe and clean.
Physical Security
Physical security is key to keeping your data center safe and secure. Start by understanding the access points into the facility where the data center is located—are there doors, windows, or other entry points that need to be monitored? Here are the physical security measures you can take:
Install CCTV Surveillance Equipment
CCTV surveillance equipment within a data center is essential for providing an extra layer of security. By using CCTV cameras, you can monitor and record activity within the facility, allowing you to quickly identify any suspicious activity or intruders. In addition, CCTV footage can be used as evidence in cases of vandalism or theft.
Utilize Access Control Systems
The use of access control systems is critical to maintaining the security of a data center. Access controls allow the data center to be restricted only to that authorized personnel who have permission and need to be there. Keycards, biometric identification, and other technologies can limit access to only those with the proper clearance.
Have Guards Onsite
Having someone physically monitor the facility can differentiate between a secured and an unsecured facility. Guards provide the extra layer of security needed to ensure proper data center protection. They also act as a deterrent to potential intruders and can alert authorities of suspicious activity.
Environmental Maintenance
Data centers require consistent environmental maintenance to remain operational. Data centers have special cooling and climate control requirements, so it’s important to ensure they are properly maintained. Here are some tips for keeping your data centers clean and cool:
Monitor Humidity Levels
Humidity levels in data centers must be carefully monitored for optimal performance. Too little humidity can lead to static electricity buildup, which can cause hardware damage. At the same time, too much humidity can lead to condensation and corrosion.
Check Air Flow Regularly
Airflow is critical for cooling the hardware in a data center. Ensure the airflow is sufficient to prevent overheating and that any access panels or vents are regularly checked and cleaned of dust or debris.
Install an Efficient Flooring System
Installing a flooring system for data centers can help reduce the risk of overheating. An effective flooring system will provide a layer of insulation to protect from the heat by directing air away from directly under the floor. This helps to manage the temperature and prevent the hardware from overheating.
Network Security
The final puzzle piece is network security—the digital protection layer that prevents malicious attacks against your IT infrastructure. Since data is the heart and soul of any business, it’s important to have a comprehensive network security plan. Here are some tips for securing your data centers:
- Install firewalls and anti-malware software that will provide a layer of protection against malicious attacks. Ensure the firewalls are configured properly, and the anti-malware software is up to date.
- Ensure all devices connected to your network are up-to-date with their software patches. This will help reduce vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit to gain access to sensitive information on your systems.
- Configure firewalls around any external facing resources, such as websites or APIs, so that only authenticated users can access them. This will help protect against DDoS attacks that flood servers with traffic from multiple sources to shut them down temporarily or permanently. Consider investing in anti-virus software that scans incoming files for viruses before they get downloaded onto any connected devices.
By following these best practices, you can rest assured that all of the sensitive data stored in them is safe from prying eyes and malicious attacks. Data centers are the lifeblood of any business, so it’s important to take every step necessary to protect them from outside threats.
