3 Best Practices for Data Center Access Control that you can’t afford to ignore

Contrary to popular belief, data centers are not empty, large buildings that have just a couple of security personnel working in them. They are highly staffed workplaces where a large number of people move in and out every single day. Since data centers store sensitive data in large quantities, it is necessary that both the physical and the digital aspect of data centers are secured at all times. Here are a few standard protocols that must be followed to control access to data centers.

1. Anti-Tailgating Measures

The most stringent security measures taken in a data center can go to waste if tailgating is not prevented in a strict manner. One way of making sure that people are not able to breach the security by tailgating or piggybacking behind another person is by installing personal interlocks. These physical features ensure that only one person can cross the threshold at a time after they have shown their credentials. This safety measure ensures that a person without access codes is unable to enter behind a person who has accessed the system through their credentials. This measure consists an inner and an outer door which do not open at the same time. Once the person has opened the first door, they have to wait for it to shut before opening the second one. This also ensures that a person is not able to share the same key card with another person. Additionally, security cameras installed inside the mantrap offer another layer of physical security.

It is crucial that you follow a zero-trust policy when it comes to data center security. Although setting multiple access codes, limiting access to the server rooms, making rigorous log-taking absolutely vital can consume a lot of time and effort, it is absolutely necessary. It is important that every person entering a data center and leaving it follows proper procedures, no matter how high up in the hierarchy they are. Following the rules not only prevents security breaches but also ensures that the culprit is caught with relative ease if and when such an incident happens.

2. Zero Trust Policy

Smart authentication can come in a lot of forms but there is no one sure-shot manner of ensuring total safety. Therefore, it is always advisable to have a multi-layered authentication system. This means that there is no one password or a keycard that is responsible for safeguarding the data center but a combination of all the above factors. By doing so, we can ensure that even if one form of security is hacked into, we still have others that are still up and make a breach more difficult for the attacking party. Different types of authentication can include biometric scans, photo ID cards, magnetic card keys and passwords among several other types.

3. Smart Authentication

At Hardy Racks, we specialise in data center planning and can offer you unique solutions to keep your data center secure. In the times of data center colocation, access control becomes all the more crucial. Talk to us to see how we can make sure that your security features are top-notch!