The need for robust physical security measures is most critical in today’s data centers. The high value of the technology required to operate a state-of-the-art data center, combined with the value of actual information stored and processed by these complex IT systems can be staggering, even at a small to moderately sized facility. Yet like all businesses, the demand exists for data centers of all sizes to do more with less. This is especially true with respect to the allocation of real estate being used for anything not directly related to revenue generating IT operations and activities. This includes investment in an advanced access control infrastructure, which is indispensable for everyday operations.
The Access Control Imperative
In terms of prioritizing system technologies to establish and sustain data center operations, access control closely follows IT and HVAC infrastructure as a mission critical necessity. As history has proven, a large percentage of data breaches come from physical theft of servers, hard drives, laptops and other personal electronics. This also includes when individuals gain unauthorized access to a facility and steal data directly from networks using USBs or other devices covertly installed behind fire walls. The best way to prevent this 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. This includes employees, customers, and other third-party vendors since insider threats can be as equally devasting as external cyber-physical security breaches.
Traditional access control systems can occupy a significant amount of real estate within facilities where space is typically at a premium and may require multiple layers of security from the perimeter entry/egress points to interior server rooms and critical environmental control centers. 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.
Achieving More Access Control For Less
The implementation of modern high-security access system technology is actually an area where cost savings can be achieved while fortifying cyber-physical security. This provides system designers with a great opportunity to reimagine access control deployment, specifically with layered solutions that improve overall security, workflow and process resiliency to enhance security, ensure compliance and deliver tangible ROI.
The continued growth and expansion of data centers has also heightened the requirements for certifications and compliance, and the way customers evaluate and select data centers for their organizations’ valuable data assets. Unfortunately, the associated costs of compliance are not easily absorbed or passed back to customers. This also applies to the never-ending costs of updating data centers with the latest processing, environmental and security solutions. All this makes additional CAPEX investments and commitments to tertiary access control systems even more challenging to secure from corporate management.
Fortunately, new access control and power integration solutions are changing installation models by increasing capacities while reducing both the physical footprint required to install these systems, and their overall costs. This is being accomplished in three fundamental ways:
These best-in-class solutions provide 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.
New System Integration Efficiencies
New access and power integration solutions provide system integrators with new and better ways to install access control and related security systems at data centers. This includes the availability of new rack mounted integration solutions ideal for implementation in data centers with standard server racks that can accommodate access and power system components. For example, the Altronix Trove2R is a uniquely designed solution that features a high-capacity 36” rack drawer enclosure with a removeable backplane. This allows system integrators to combine a wide selection of power supplies and accessories with various combinations of access controller boards in a streamlined package. The unique design allows for ease of installation, service and maintenance, supporting up to 8 doors with power from a single 2U high rack enclosure. 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.
Leveraging the Power of 802.3bt PoE
The 802.3bt (4PPoE) standard offers two very distinct advantages when installing access control and any other related physical security devices in data centers. First, it transfers much more power (up to 90W) to advanced edge devices with fast 10Gb/sec data transfer rates. New innovative power supply/chargers, like Tango from Altronix, deliver 12 and 24VDC simultaneously to IP devices powered by a 802.3bt PoE midspan. This is a real game-changer when deploying any access control system, eliminating the need for an electrician, dedicated conduit, and additional wire runs to net tremendous cost-savings. It is also a solution that leverages IT installation best practices by conserving power and serving as a single point of maintenance for back-up batteries and systems. Additionally, this highly cost-efficient board-based solution stacks with various other subassemblies in wall or rack-mounted enclosures, further reducing system footprint and overall total cost of ownership (TCO).
Network Power Management
New advanced remote power management platforms allow users to remotely monitor, report and control power from anywhere over the network. This allows data center administrators to remotely monitor multiple groups of access and power products across any number of locations, saving valuable time when deploying new devices and for troubleshooting and maintenance scheduling. Dashboards like Altronix LINQ also include 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 the 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, the initial construction costs are just the tip of the iceberg, especially when you factor in the value of the stored data and the costly liabilities associated with data breaches. Improving ROI at data centers means protecting the investment with proper, layered access control and security. By leveraging the latest advancements in access control and power integration and network management, data centers can build the cornerstone of a robust security strategy that helps mitigate risks, ensure compliance and optimize operational performance, while safeguarding the integrity of their valuable data with extreme cost-efficiency.
Ronnie Pennington
Director of Sales for the Americas
Altronix
The Altronix T2RM7CK1DQ is an 8-door managed access and power integration kit which includes Altronix power and sub-assemblies along with factory installed wire management and wire assemblies that are pre-configured with terminal blocks for Mercury hardware. It's also compatible with other partners.
Try Our Trove System Design Tool