Page 22 - Security Today, July/August 2024

going up everywhere across the United States.
As a result, there is more demand for windstorm-rated, blast-
resistant-rated, and other specialty doors, as well as the proper hardware to support them. In addition, oversized openings are common in data centers where large equipment needs to be moved in and out. Doors that offer sound attenuation are also in demand to meet certain sound transmission class (STC) ratings.
New EMI-RFI/STC shielding door and frame assemblies with adjustable seals are now available. These assemblies are ideal for data centers, SCIF (sensitive compartmented information facil- ity) locations, or any other environment needing to protect and secure electronic information.
Why Data Center Security is Vital
The continuous evolution of innovative technology, stronger pro- cedures and greater vigilance is vital. Today’s connected world re- lies on a nonstop flow of data to power our devices and networks. If this source of data is compromised, the daily operations of critical businesses and corporations can stop slowly, which can have a negative impact on people’s lives and a brand’s reputation. Disruptions can also result in fines and penalties for non-compli- ance with security regulations.
According to IBM’s 2023 Cost of a Data Center Breach re- port, the global average cost of a data breach in 2023 was $4.45 million USD, a 15% increase over three years. Subsequently, this growing reliance on flawless data center operations requires an in- vestment in comprehensive physical security to prevent breaches.
Data center managers must rely on the latest technology and industry best practices to provide viable and cost-effective physi- cal security for their facilities. Whether they are company-owned data centers, co-locations or managed services, organizations must do all they can to comply with the challenges of legislation such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX). This takes an enhanced approach to security that extends to the server rack.
Scalable security measures range from those covering the pe- rimeter and power management to multiple levels of access con- trol, including hardened doors, visitor management vestibules, security revolving doors, biometrics like facial identification or digital access locksets for individual server cabinets.
Controlling Data Center Energy Consumption and Climate
While access control and physical security are essential, that does not mean a data center’s environmental conditions have taken a back seat. Far from it. In fact, physical security, environmental control, and sustainability have grown in parallel.
Data centers require a tightly controlled environment in terms of airflow seepage, air quality, humidity, and temperature levels, all of which contribute to greater energy efficiency. That means ensuring doors and frames keep required cooling in place with proper weather stripping and door seal components. It also means the energy required to operate security products must be kept at a minimum.
“Today’s connected world
relies on a nonstop flow of
data to power our devices and networks. If this source of data is compromised, the daily operations of critical businesses and corporations can grind to a halt, which can have a negative impact on people’s lives and a brand’s reputation.”
As an example of how unique requirements drive innovation, a data center provider came to us years ago looking for an ac- cess control electromechanical lock for card reader openings that had to satisfy two needs that didn’t exist at the time. First, it had to consume significantly less power to operate. Second, it had to incorporate a security feature with an end-of-line resistor to help monitor whether someone was tampering with the communica- tion and power to that opening.
That dual requirement was the catalyst behind our company moving from solenoid-driven electromechanical hardware to mo- torized lock solutions. Doing so immediately reduced electrome- chanical power consumption by 95%. That’s significant since the less energy a data center uses on door and access security (and HVAC), the more it can allocate for computing power.
Those savings add up quickly, given the size and scope of today’s data centers. For collocation operations, in particular, energy re-balancing translates into more capacity and billable services. Incorporating the resistor into the body of the lock set helped protect against the possibility of someone tampering with that secure opening.
Of course, security needs vary depending on the type of data center. Let’s look at three that are most common.
Government Data Centers
Data centers designated for military, national security/national defense and intelligence agencies are designed and constructed to meet SCIF requirements and ensure classified information securi- ty. It may pertain to an entire data center or a portion of a facility.
Outside these data centers, perimeter fences, bollards, guard houses, and other robust barriers are typical. Access to SCIFs is normally limited to individuals with appropriate security clearance. Electronic devices such as cell phones, smart watches, flash drives (other than those that are government property) are prohibited.
Enterprise Data Centers
An enterprise data center is one that is owned and operated by a single organization to support its IT and data needs. It may be located on the grounds of a corporate location or off-premises. These data centers are typically constructed as large, open spaces
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