Data Center Security Standards Guide

After reading this article, you will gain the following knowledge:

• What is security of data center?
• What is the guideline to secure the data center?
• Infrastructure for Physical Data Center Security
• Technology for Data Center Security

What is Security of Data Center?

The virtual technologies and physical methods used to safeguard a data center and its customer’s data from threats and risks are referred to as data center security.

What are the Guidelines to Secure the Data Center?

Datacenter security requirements should be considered in the design and installation of everything from networks. Most data center parts can be used as entry points for dedicated attackers seeking weaknesses and unsecured access points.

A third-party provider, for example, was engaged in the 2013 Target data hack. Third-party provider provided hackers access to the business’s point-of-sale (POS) credit card scanners. Target’s CIO resigned after learning that 70 million of its clients’ personally identifiable information (PII) had really been stolen. By the time it was finished, the total cost of the breach had risen to $162 million.

Physical security of Data Center

Layering security via the physical design of a data center is the first step toward complete peace of mind while keeping your data and servers. Your service provider should never scrimp on the most up-to-date infrastructure upgrades. From the reinforced shell to security systems and surveillance, here’s a step-by-step security guide of the data center on what to look to data center colocation providers physical data centre security.

Building in a Safe Environment

One of the primary and essential factors of the organization is “physical security”. The following are some places that your colocation source should avoid:

• Flood
• Earthquake
• Power plants
• Natural disasters
• Tsunamis
• Wild fires
• Hurricanes
• Tornados

Climate protection, terrain type, seismic activity, and other natural and manufactured catastrophes should all be addressed when stacking security throughout the construction of a data center colocation site. Concrete that is afoot thick can also act as a barrier against the weather and explosive devices.

Another option for colocation providers to safeguard their data centers’ physical infrastructure is to construct underground. Unless the infrastructure has an all necessary security plan, underground data centers might be the safest development sites. Inquire about real-time environmental monitoring if a data center chooses to construct underground.

Because of the subterranean location, maintaining, adjusting, and monitoring the data center ambient conditions should be in place to reduce system failures. Building an underwater data center also necessitates consideration of cooling systems and regulatory constraints. In subterranean data centers, cooling is a required cost, and if done poorly, it can lead to equipment failure.

It’s also crucial to examine if an underground facility is in a cave or a mine while evaluating it. Cave settings may place consumers in a perilous condition when it comes to lack of air circulation, high heat and air quality problems, and finally, costing thousands of dollars and decreasing hardware life cycles by several years.

Barriers

Data centers can provide physical protection through fences, strong concrete walls, participant retaining walls, and underground settings.

Many institutions will also utilize landscaping to shield themselves from the elements outside. Foreign items can be kept at bay by flag poles, trees, rocks, and curving roads. In addition to landscape protections, Crash-proof barriers are placed to maintain a 100 feet buffer zone surrounding the facility’s site.

While physical barriers should protect the outside elements from harming the structure, windows should be avoided. If there are windows in a data center, they should be restricted to break rooms or administrative offices. To guarantee protection, windows should also be made of laminated glass.

Limit the Number of Entry Points

The danger of physical break-ins to the facility will be reduced by restricting entrance points from the data center. By having a single central door for clients and workers, a data center may limit entry to the building. There should be another loading dock access in the back of the data center.

If local fire codes demand exits, install doors without handles on the exterior. As a result, the door can only be used as a fire exit. Put up signs on these doors explaining what they are for and that if they are opened, a loud alarm will go off. The local of security command center will be notified of the alert. Installing fire extinguishers ensures that the colocation facility complies with fire regulations, but it still restricts access to the building from the outside.

While analyzing a data center hosting provider’s limited points of entry and access control measures, here are some questions to consider:

• How often does your data center access list get updated?
• What is the number of entrances, and who has access to them?
• What is the protocol for removing security access when workers or customers depart your data center business?

If their responses show a lack of dedication to the building’s security and access management, you should search for a data center colocation provider elsewhere.

Technology for Data Center Security

From the inside out, a data center built with one of the most up-to-date security technology features will reduce risk. Security technologies should be a top priority when it comes to mission-critical infrastructure. Here are a few things to check for in the security technologies of your data center colocation provider:

Authentication using Several Factors (Multi-Factor)

According to Markets and Markets, the data center security market is expected to expand to $13.77 billion end of 2020. Biometric access and video surveillance are two security technology choices.

Data centers should have several checkpoints across the facility as a recommended practice. To obtain access to your equipment, you’ll often need:

• Your fingerprint
• In certain circumstances, face scan, retinal scan, etc.
• Your rack or cage key
• With a private suite, a special badge key card
• To go through a secure check-in procedure with your government-issued ID
• To be granted a guest badge and establish a pin code

Ensure to go over each security aspect required to access your equipment with your existing or future data center colocation provider. The security credentials of various data center colocation facilities may differ.

Systems of Surveillance and Monitoring

To ensure extra protection, data centers are frequently outfitted with sophisticated surveillance systems. Check to verify whether your data center manufacturer has a live specialist to monitoring those cameras in moreover to surveillance equipment. They’ll be able to keep you up to date in real-time on any suspicious behavior involving your data devices.

Data Center Compliance Experts

You could work in the healthcare business and be subject to HIPAA regulations, or you might work in the finance sector and be subject to PCI DSS compliance. Having a compliance specialist to assist you to navigate the regulated waters, whatever guidelines and requirements you must follow, will enable you to focus more on your company’s core strengths.

A data center colocation provider may become more than a facility when qualified security personnel is available. They can become a valued advisor, allowing you to tap into their wealth of knowledge. The organization must have compliance related to security are listed below:

• ISO 27001
• ISO 20000-1
• SSAE 18 SOC 1 Type II, SOC 2 Type II and SOC 3
• HIPAA
• PCI DSS 3.2