Is the entry to your data centre secure? What are the latest trends in site security and is it necessary to up the ante with regards to intruders?

The average data centre accommodates millions of pounds of hardware and an invaluable amount of data. The real cost of losing hardware systems or data will vary enormously. At a co-location site, the reputation of the host company can be badly damaged in the event of a loss. To the commercial client it could be crippling.

We were recently told by the head of MI5 that the threat level of a terrorist attack is now at ‘Serious’. Many data centres accommodate systems that are a critical part of the national infrastructure. Hence any loss through blast or forced attack will have wider implications for the country and its economy.

Co-location sites accommodating Government or Government contractor systems are obliged to meet certified standards of protection against forced entry and blast protection. However the vast majority of co-location clients or companies accommodating their own data centres do not demand or specify similar standards. Yet for a small additional cost in relation to overall build cost and over the life of a data centre – these standards can be easily achieved in a new build or even an upgrade of an existing facility.

We all know that if someone really wants to damage or break into your house they will. The same applies with commercial properties – particularly if the rewards are high. Windows are easily broken. Block or brick walls are easily breached with a few swings of a sledgehammer. External steel cladding or the majority of ‘white wall’ internal walls and ceilings can be cut through in seconds with battery powered cutting tools. To a professional or determined intruder, most doors and locks present no barrier to entry. Fire exit doors in particular are easily opened from outside (but I will not divulge how in this article).

A blast – be it accidental or malicious – can cause irreparable damage or loss.

The answer though is readily available. Most data centres now utilize modular ‘white wall’ systems to create individual halls. These offer a very quick build, maintenance free surfaces and good levels of water, insulation and fire protection.

The Remtech ModuSec System has steel skins with a solid one piece foamed core (not the toxic foam of the past though) with tongue and groove joints that are further strengthened with mechanical camlocks to lock adjacent panels together. The panel system can be walls only (slab to slab), walls plus ceilings or add floor panels for a complete 6 sided protected environment. They offer a higher level of security than most traditional building materials or panel systems. In addition, the double rebated doors are steel faced with protected hinges and high security anti drill locks. The locks have registered keys that can only be duplicated by the registered owner of the lock.

The ModuSec foamed system also uniquely offers the opportunity to include additional anti cutting materials within the panels during manufacture. This allows Remtech to offer independently tested and certified Class 2 and Class 3 options that have high levels of protection against forced attack with powered cutting tools but also against a specified level of blast.

The Class 3 doors sets, designed to fit the wall panels, offer a very high level of protection against forced entry - with layers of anti cutting and anti drilling materials and a wide range of 3 point high security locking systems.

Mike Lawrence, director of Remtech Computer Security Ltd, reports that the majority of their work is now in building high security data centres - as independent external buildings or within an existing office or industrial building environment. They offer an end to end service in design, manufacture, delivery and installation of the shell plus supporting steelwork, roof, etc., if required. In addition, though their experience they are able to advise mechanical and electrical contractors on the security aspects of the build and can take a full part in the design process.

These are unfortunately dangerous times and there will always be people looking for new ways to make quick money or disrupt the national infrastructure. The additional cost of a certified shell, as part of the overall security strategy, may be a small price to pay to ensure future security.