It may not seem like the physical location of your data center is important. However, even as more and more data center management moves to the cloud, the fact remains that the security of the physical perimeter of your location is still important. In fact, many experts suggest that data center physical security should be amped up even further. Skeptical? Here, we’ll describe ways to keep your physical data center more secure.

Have more than one utility source in case of emergency.

In cases of emergency when electricity and water might go out, have a backup plan for these utilities. Water should come from two different main lines, while electricity should be linked to two substations. The electric company should be willing to accommodate this request because data centers use significant amounts of electricity, resulting in big draws for the electric company.

Keep a low profile.

The best way to ensure data center physical security is to make sure most people don’t know you’re a data center that stores expensive equipment. Don’t incorporate signage that labels you a data center, and don’t choose a building with a lot of windows that displays costly hardware that looks appealing to thieves. Additionally, limiting the number of entrances to your facility to one — for visitors, employees, customers, and deliveries — can make it easier to control who comes in and out of your facility.

Make your inside security hard to crack.

The more important the equipment or the security needed for the information, the more security features that must be in place to protect it. At the entrance to the data center, require authentication at least three times, likely at the outer door, inner door, and the part of the data center that stores data.

Consider doubling or tripling your access code.  

It’s important to make sure that your access control systems work effectively by ensuring that access to control points cannot be shared. That’s why retinal or fingerprint recognition — biometrics — is such an effective way to let employees enter the data center. Alternately, or in addition to biometrics, consider requiring employees to enter a pin number to access the entry point. Further, a surveillance camera lets you know who is entering your facility at all times.

If you’ve decided to beef up your data center physical security by moving your data center’s location, Silverback Migration Solutions’ customizable data center relocations can simplify your move. Our professional inventory, shipping, and equipment insurance can make your move as safe as it can be, which was, of course, your goal in the first place.