Intelligent Data Centres Issue 50 | Page 35

FEATURE FEATURE
FEATURE FEATURE
Nick Smith , Business Development Manager at Genetec , says that in order to secure an organisation against cyberattacks , it should approach security holistically – recognising it as both a business issue and an IT issue and both should work together collaboratively to address it .

How are data centres failing to connect the dots between cyber and physical security ?

As the use of data centres has grown in popularity , so has the need for strong security measures to protect the valuable data stored within them . Those measures must simultaneously prevent unwanted entry in the real and virtual world , yet it ’ s common for one person or department to have this joint oversight or responsibility .

Typically , the responsibility for cybersecurity lies with the IT department , while physical security falls under the remit of the facilities team . These two teams often work independently , with infrequent communication or collaboration between them .
This failure to connect the cyber and physical security dots can have serious consequences . A hacker who gains access to a data centre ’ s network , for example , can cause physical damage by shutting down critical systems or starting a fire . A physical attack on a data centre , on the other hand , can result in the theft of sensitive data or the destruction of critical infrastructure .
To address this issue , data centre operators must adopt a more comprehensive security strategy . This necessitates a mindset shift as well as a willingness to break down silos between different security teams . A more comprehensive approach to www . intelligentdatacentres . com
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