Data Center

The Foundation for Data Center Security:

Power and Data Transmission

Data centers are the backbone of our nation’s digital infrastructure, making them prime targets for both cyber and physical threats. While cybersecurity is critical, physical security is equally important with breaches leading to data theft, service disruptions, and reputational damage.

This requires several layers of physical security protection including the perimeter, facility entry/egress points and mission critical interior locations such as server rooms and environmental systems.

A wide array of security edge devices can be deployed at each of these locations ranging from video surveillance, access control, intrusion detection, and numerous different types of sensors capable of detecting different types of anomalous activities.

As different as these security devices may be, they all rely on reliable power and data transmission solutions.
Data Center

At the Perimeter

Threat mitigation at large data centers demands the deployment of wide scale and extended security systems that are increasingly more intelligent and effective. By leveraging new advancements in long range power and data transmission, data centers benefit from more resilient, scalable security frameworks that extend the electronic security perimeter, enhance system reliability, and streamline installation and maintenance processes, ultimately increasing overall security protections.

The latest advancements in hardened Power over Ethernet (PoE) solutions that utilize fiber and/or composite cable to simultaneously deliver power and data, reducing the need for localized power sources, making it easier to deploy edge devices at greater distances.

Altronix NetWay Spectrum hardened PoE switches are available with integral rapid battery chargers to keep systems up and running 24/7. Aside from powering devices in the event of a power failure, these highly integrated power and data transmission solutions power security cameras, illuminators, sensors, wi-fi points, and more, with or without available local power.

For example, security cameras and sensors mounted on light poles in parking lots are often powered by the same power used for the lighting. When the lights are not on or power is lost, security is still needed. New integrated hardened PoE solutions with integral rapid battery chargers are able to provide power to cameras and supporting devices during the day when the power source is off. The system now running on extended battery backup, can also then transmit real-time data communications via fiber back to the data center’s security headend, maintaining full surveillance and security monitoring 24/7. This clever combination of features resolves a longstanding and costly problem for perimeter surveillance.

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Additionally, the widespread adoption of the 802.3bt PoE standard, also known as 4-Pair PoE or 4PPoE delivers up to 90W per port over a single Ethernet cable to support energy-intensive devices like multi-sensor cameras, infrared illuminators, and wireless access points. NetWay Spectrum solutions are invaluable for perimeter surveillance at data centers located in rural areas that need to monitor expansive exterior areas.

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Entry and Interior Access Points

Cyber criminals have figured out that it is often a lot easier and faster to physically steal data than to hack it electronically. In fact, a large percentage of data theft comes from physical theft of servers, hard drives, laptops and other personal electronics. This includes when individuals gain unauthorized access to a data center and steal data directly from networks using USBs or other devices covertly installed behind fire walls.

The best way to prevent physical theft of data at data centers is with the right combination of electronic access control and secured entry solutions to closely monitor, manage, control and document who has access to your data center and secured interior areas. However, traditional access control systems can occupy a significant amount of real estate within facilities where space is typically at a premium. This can require one or more independent distribution frame (IDF) closets located throughout a facility to house the various access controllers, power supplies, networking devices and enclosures required for a multi-layered access system. These IDF closets also require localized power and adequate HVAC to maintain stable environmental conditions for deployed system devices. The bigger the data center, the higher the associated equipment and real estate costs will be.

Altronix Trove™ Access and Power Integration Solutions deliver high capacity system solutions in small physical footprints, reducing overall installation costs and total cost of ownership (TCO). This is accomplished in three fundamental ways:

  • Minimizes access control and power system footprints with densely configured and scalable integrated “all-in-one” access power solutions.
  • Leverages 4PPoE (802.3bt) driven power supply/charges such as the Tango Series to eliminate the need for high-voltage power.
  • Enables remote power management across multiple devices and locations, reducing service calls and keeping systems up and running.
  • Dual-voltage power options to accommodate multiple devices.
  • Integrated ReServ24B automatic transfer switch with rapid battery charging ensures continuous operation.
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TROVE provides data centers with the space saving and installation efficiencies they need to best utilize valuable real estate while increasing system capacities and lowering overall costs. Rack mounted configurations are ideal for implementation in data centers with standard server racks to maximize space utilization. In most cases, a single rack drawer system can accommodate the space requirements for an entire data center’s access needs, eliminating the need for one or more IDF closets and all of the ancillary expenses related to each one of them – a substantial cost saving solution.

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Powering Interior Security Devices

Data Centers all over the world are equipped with high-level video surveillance cameras and other devices that play a critical role in securing the area. Many of the latest IP PTZ cameras require higher-power. NetWay PoE solutions offer myriad midspans, injectors, and adapters to fit any application, supporting multiple devices.

In addition to video, PoE plays an important role in access control systems when limiting wall space and leveraging low voltage installation. When utilizing Tango, 802.3bt PoE driven power supply chargers with LiFePO4 backup, NetWay 4PPoE Managed Midspans can be the ideal power source providing all the necessary power for the system along with network power management and battery backup all in a single rack.

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Maintaining Primary AC Power

It goes without saying that even the best low-voltage security system infrastructure requires primary sources of AC power, as do all of the critical environmental systems needed to support data center operation. As a result, data centers typically have alternate sources of AC power to ensure ontinuous operations. This requires a solution to automatically switch AC power between available sources the moment a drop is detected.

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Altronix Circ™ High Voltage AC Automatic Transfer Switches provide a cost‑efficient means of ensuring AC power is always on by connecting two independent sources – direct from the grid, solar panels or wind generators – ensuring there is always a redundant source of power available.

In the event that the primary power source goes down, Circ instantly switches to the secondary source with zero delay, ensuring uninterrupted operations at data centers.

Network Power and Data Communications:

A Security Imperative

With so many security edge devices operating across so many different zones of protection, network communications play a vital if not essential role in maintaining the highest levels of security at data centers. Altronix LINQ™ Network Communications allows data center security personnel to remotely monitor, report and control multiple groups of power and data transmission products across any number of locations, reducing the time to deploy new devices and for troubleshooting and maintenance scheduling.

Linq also provides the ability to update software on multiple devices simultaneously, and to receive notification when a product’s firmware is outdated. Detailed status reporting also includes monitoring of current, voltage, internal temperature, batteries, and more. This powerful network power management solution significantly increases system reliability and ROI, enhancing virtually any access control installation at data centers.

Data centers are an indispensable lifeline for the global economy, and there can be no compromises in security to protect them. With the average cost of building a data center hovering around $1000 per square foot, it is imperative to install advanced layered integrated security systems built on the best available power and data transmission solutions. By leveraging modern and proven solutions from Altronix, data centers can build the cornerstone of a robust security strategy that helps mitigate risks, ensure compliance and optimize operational performance with extreme cost‑efficiency.
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