During a time when bad actors have become even more advanced in how they target a company’s cyber and physical infrastructure simultaneously, it’s important that security personnel have to be mindful of all potential vulnerabilities. Today, there is no real distinction between the digital and the physical — hampering one affects the other.
In a recent post for technology blog Fagen Wasanni, it couldn’t be underscored more just how intertwined these two key elements of a company’s safety are. The modern technology experts assert that enhancing the physical security of data centers is crucial for not just the safety of one’s company but the safety of the Internet at large. They write that “data centers are the lifeblood of our increasingly digital world” given that they store all kinds of data from online banking to personal and professional social media accounts.
The blog stresses how necessary robust physical defenses of these centers are. This includes traditional walls, fences, and gates that “are designed to deter unauthorized access.” To make this approach compatible with 21st century needs, the authors write that these physical barriers have to be outfitted with modern tools like biometric access controls, surveillance cameras, and intrusion detection systems, among others. Underpinning this entire approach is the need to institute access control measures that ensure only those authorized by a company can access these data centers. This might involve a PIN code and key cards or facial recognition features.
These traditional approaches are now also complemented by “advanced environmental controls.”
“These systems are designed to monitor and control the physical environment within the data center, helping to prevent damage from factors such as fire, flooding, or power outages. This can include the use of fire suppression systems, flood detection sensors, and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems,” the blog post reads.
While all of these features need to be in place, oftentimes, it’s all about the location. The authors explain that many companies today are situating their data centers in “remote or geographically stable areas” to avoid natural disasters and the impacts of climate change. Some firms might even choose to place their data centers in “underground or bunker-style” facilities.
The big lesson running through all of this is that a company can’t rest on its physical security laurels. Maintenance is needed. This means companies have to invest in updates and audits to ensure their physical security protections of their data centers are outfitted with the latest measures to keep their most sensitive assets safe and secure.