E X P E R T O P I N I O N

which they will be visiting the site – as authorised guests with access rights to the space or as escorted visitors .

In all cases , the individuals who access a data centre are continually monitored through video surveillance , their access rights are managed through enterprise access control solutions , and areas that are off-limits are monitored and managed through a fully integrated security solution . Ultimately , the highest level of security presents the least number of threats to this area . Since people present the greatest , ultimate , risk – the goal is to minimise who has access to the data centre and to manage how much access is allowed .

Digital threats

The principles of layered security that apply to physical security also hold true for network security . Layers of security are applied through a multitude of solutions such as firewalls , encryption , authentication and authorisation . These elements , too , are predicated on monitoring and managing the informational traffic ( incoming and outgoing ) against any bad actors attempting a malicious attack on today ’ s most critical infrastructures .

For the average person , understanding the technology and solutions that

protect our electronic environments can be difficult . Comparing this logical sequence to physical protection zones yields a very similar analogy . The goal , whether it is in the physical world or the networks themselves , is to mitigate any potential breach of the system .

Securing the data centre to protect global commerce

At the core of a data centre is the vital information entrusted for storage , archiving , processing and maintenance . This critical and confidential information is the lifeblood of today ’ s business . From the health of our economic markets to the health and well-being of individuals – the need for data centres will continue to grow at an exhaustive rate . Consequently , enhancing the safety and security of these data centres becomes imperative as threats from malicious entities evolve .

Ensuring the secure management of this data is critical to maintaining the integrity of global commerce .

Therefore , the design and development of a data centre must incorporate stringent security measures , from Threat and Vulnerability Risk Assessments ( TVRA ) to the deployment of comprehensive physical , operational and digital security strategies . As needs and threats develop , so too will the solutions to address them . �

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