Improving Critical Infrastructure Security in Data Centres

Improving critical infrastructure protection and the physical security of high-risk sites is a crucial factor in the overall modernisation of security in data centres – and not one that can be overlooked. The latest entrance control technology can increase security, future-proof buildings, and deliver automated, touchless efficiency.

For any data centre, security is paramount at every level. Even the smallest data centres require Tier I protection that ensures 99.671% uptime and limits annual downtime to 28.8 hours. At the upper levels of critical infrastructure protection, Tier IV security must guarantee 99.95% uptime and just 2.4 minutes of downtime a year for larger enterprise corporations. (Tier V protection, which evaluates more than 30 additional key elements and uses 100% renewable energy, is a registered trademark of Switch data centres.)

IT operations are critical to the business continuity of any data centre, and the continued growth in the amount of digital data they need to handle means it’s more crucial than ever that security in data centres is able to keep up. (The International Data Corporation (IDC) predicts worldwide digital data will rise to 163 zettabytes by 2025. IDC Data Age 2025, 2018).

It’s clear that modernisation is needed: according to the IDC, the average data centre is nine years old, yet Gartner warns that any data centre more than seven years old is already obsolete.

But it’s not just computing performance and energy efficiency that must move with the times. Physical security is an all-important third pillar – especially when it comes to critical infrastructure protection.

Physical security starts with entrance control. Modern access solutions provide effective security and safe, efficient traffic flow for critical sites and locations. They can even deliver show-stopping architectural aesthetics.

It’s not just data centres that need physical security. And for any location than needs extra protection – including courthouses, government facilities, critical manufacturing, information technology centres – security technology has come a long way. The system data centres choose needs to be future-proofed to cope with the evolution of modern society. So what are the options?

Security Booths and Portals – High-security Man Traps for High-Risk Sites

Security booths and portals are compact in design yet provide the highest level of security required on sites where only authorised persons are allowed.

This style of access control offers enhanced security for high-protection sites. The very latest security booths and portals can also include metal detection, hostage situation detection, and even certified protection against ballistic and blast attacks.

As an example, NEXTDC, Australia’s leading data centre provider, currently have over 40 of Gunnebo’s highest security offerings, the HiSec9 security booth, across eleven data centre locations. The NEXTDC Data Centre portfolio continues to grow at a rapid pace,  as does the requirement for Gunnebo’s high security solutions within the Data Centre industry.

Security Revolving Doors – Fast and Stylish Access Control

A world away from the first revolving doors invented back in 1888; modern security revolving doors are ideal for any site or location that needs to manage a steady flow of people with elegance and efficiency.

Allowing simultaneous entry and exit, security revolving doors can take the place of two lanes of speed gates – so they can often be more convenient on price. They offer uncompromising performance in terms of safety, security, detection, and design.

Speed gates – Security Meets Aesthetics

Modern speed gates provide fast, reliable access control of a building’s entrance without compromising on security – while seamlessly blending into the aesthetics of the surrounding space.

Intuitive and welcoming, speed gates allow a high flow rate, ensuring visitors’ fast, efficient processing. And, because they can also be touchless, they offer an effective way to prevent infection.

Physical security is more important than ever

Even amid the threat of software and cyber attacks, the protection of physical infrastructure is becoming increasingly important for any public infrastructure location. With Data Centres now deemed as critical infrastructure within Australia, the requirement to increase security is unquestionable. Gunnebo’s product offering allows data centres to tailor the security solution to suit each sites very specific needs.