Data Centre Security D


ata and data networking is effectively a utility supply to us all and no different to


other public utility services in terms of our dependence on it. Data centres and fibre routes are the medium for all data. They are relied on by the public, governments, the military, industry, the financial sector, scientists and researchers, and the healthcare sector. Society is becoming more and more reliant on data and so interruption to data centre services and networks can be catastrophic if resilience and security systems are not commensurate with the value of the data. As a result data centres are by their nature becoming more vulnerable to both physical and cyber attack as technology progresses.


Security levels vary significantly depending on the sector or business that an organisation operates in. Assessing appropriate levels of security for a facility requires strong stake - holder presence and the knowledge and expertise brought by consultants and supply chains with strong track records.


This article provides a starting point for firms looking at the security of their existing or proposed data centre facilities.


The bits Not


to miss


The aim of a security strategy, as a minimum, will be to achieve the following:


• security installations should protect to a level commensurate with the current and future risks assessed by an organisation


• a tenable, sensible solution that is neither under designed nor over designed


• takes into account the organisation’s strategy for the future (for example: rate of expansion, diversification, sale, merger)


• avoids expensive and disruptive retrofitting by addressing all requirements at strategy stage, not leaving them until build stage


• is not so complex to utilise that optimum performance is rarely achieved


• achieves an acceptable solution to all stakeholders, recognising that stakeholder requirements often differ


• recognises that interruption to data centre services is more commonly from within an organisation, either accidently or maliciously


• is achievable within the capital and operational budget available, a budget commensurate with the value of the data centre to the organisation.


Data is the heartbeat of an organisation’s function and successs A volume of data can be looked at as an electrical power requirement. For example, emails sent and received, data processed and data storage is achieved via a server and a network. In simple terms the server and network require electrical power to run, and chilled air to prevent servers overheating. Electrical power is also required to produce the chilled air. What is the relevance of this to security design? If the electrical power or chilled air supplies are cut, the server will shut down. This can have an impact on the


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