In today’s digital landscape, organizations rely heavily on data for all facets of their operations. Data serves as the foundation for institutional knowledge and activities, encompassing everything from intellectual property and human resources to marketing databases, inventory, and logistics. While some organizations maintain on-site server rooms for data storage, many find it more efficient and convenient to use cloud services, which store data in large data centers.
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Outsourcing data storage offers numerous advantages. With strong surge protection and backup systems in place, organizations can mitigate the effects of power outages or infrastructure failures, ultimately saving costs and improving efficiency.
However, both data centers and server rooms are exposed to various risks that necessitate stringent protective measures.
Threats to Data Centers and Server Rooms
Any location where data is stored can attract criminal attention. Centralizing data storage provides organizations with several benefits, particularly in enabling remote and hybrid workers to remain productive. Yet, this also makes it easier for criminals to access the data. Most hackers gain entry not from remote locations but by physically connecting to the system.
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Once a hacker has physical access to a network, the potential threats are extensive, including:
- Theft of intellectual property
- Theft of personal information, such as credit card details, medical records, social security numbers, and banking information
- Installation of malware
- Vandalism
- Corporate espionage
Key Control for Data Centers
Implementing physical security technologies is essential for safeguarding data centers against external threats. Data center key management is crucial to prevent unauthorized access and potential harm.
During maintenance, it’s vital that only authorized personnel can access hardware. Electronic key cabinets for data storage only open after the system confirms that the user has the necessary permissions. Many of these cabinets can be equipped with card or biometric readers and integrated for centralized control.
The most effective data center key access control systems send automatic email and SMS notifications whenever someone accesses a key for the data center. Additionally, tracking and reporting software maintains a record of who took a key, when it was taken, and when it was returned. Reports can be generated and sent to management regularly, aiding in process improvement, ensuring employee integrity, and minimizing security risks.
