Three Signs There’s a Problem in the Data Center
Threats facing modern data centers are not always straightforward, which can complicate security planning. Data center security teams don’t just need to worry about physical trespassers or saboteurs, they also need to consider other, more subtle threats.
For example, a sudden, unexpected rise in temperature could indicate something is wrong. A data center might experience a temperature increase if malicious code is introduced that forces systems to operate at maximum capacity. Thermal sensors can monitor for unusual temperature spikes and quickly alert security teams. Power fluctuations can also signal a problem; swift detection and response capabilities could mean the difference between staying online and experiencing a major disruption.
Sound is another critical early-warning sign. Think of your car: You know what it normally sounds like, so an unfamiliar noise immediately gets your attention. In a data center, sound intelligence serves a similar purpose, sometimes detecting anomalous, suspicious or worrying sounds that humans cannot hear. Analytics software can use camera-mounted microphones to identify specific sound patterns in real time and trigger an alert when something unusual is detected, often alongside live video for immediate verification.
RELATED: Check out these data center cooling trends and innovations.
Data Center Security Doesn’t Start at the Fence
Not every threat occurs within the data center itself. In fact, securing the outside of the data center, across the grounds and the perimeter, is often just as important as securing the interior. Security teams need visibility into adjacent buildings, public areas and other potential points of concern so they can identify threats before they reach the facility.
External areas including parking lots, delivery entrances and access points for vendors and maintenance crews. Deploying technology capable of verifying license plates for delivery vehicles, monitoring the delivery of goods in receiving bays and tracking how long bay doors stay open can help security teams quickly identify when something unusual is taking place.
Data centers will only grow more complex in the future, and securing them will require more than individual technologies working independently. Data center security teams will need to bring cybersecurity, physical security and operations together to create a resilient, connected environment. Approaching security holistically by integrating a wide range of solutions and sensors will be critical to protecting the data centers of the future.
