We have been creating a series of blogs discussing the importance of keeping server rooms secure from physical threats and attacks. We’ve written about What Happens When Your Server Room Is Unsecured and our Certified Solution To Regulate Climate In Server Rooms.
There are many measures you can take to make your server room safer. To make sure you don’t miss anything, download our checklist, which will equip you with the information to protect your company’s information assets, IT services and resources, and to maintain “business as usual.” Below are 4 best practices to keep your server room safe.
1. Backup Data Regularly
While not all server rooms look exactly the same, they all share the same basic characteristics since every company’s success relies on smooth software operations. The server room can be considered the brains of the organization and should be safeguarded as such.
Servers are very dependable, but can sometimes shut down or die and data can be lost in seconds if they are not backed up. There are programs for backing up data, but keep the following in mind when backing up data:
- Encrypt sensitive data
- Keep extra backups off-site in case of property damage
- Verify that data has been backed up successfully by making sure files are retrievable
2. Keep It Cool
We dedicated a whole blog to this topic, but controlled temperature is of such utmost importance to server rooms that it is necessary to mention again. All electronic components of servers generate heat while in operation, especially the processor. Servers can quickly become dysfunctional or worse if the temperature isn’t controlled.
A steady flow of air will move through the racks the servers are on and the heat will be dissipated. Read our blog to find out what temperature and humidity levels are suggested to maintain optimal temperature and keep your servers running.
3. Invest In Uninterruptible Power Supply Devices
An Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is a backup to the primary source of power running the server room. If the power were to go out, a UPS device will immediately take over and power your data center. It can also protect against power surges by compensating for voltage and frequency fluctuations.
Having this backup allows for repairs to be done on one network without having to turn off servers or other electrical equipment. The number of UPS devices should correlate with the number of servers you have.
4. Your Server Room Needs Access Cards
The key to a secure server room is ensuring the safety and security of the information and guarding against physical attacks by restricting access. Every individual that has access to the room should have their own access code or card for entry. This means that the room is always locked and only allows access to those with cards.
If an employee loses their card, access can be turned off and controlled electronically. Our Managed Access Control system allows for movement tracking through the facility and also allows you to restrict access by location and/or time of day.
We don’t just provide Managed Access Control and we think it’s wise to invest in other security systems like video surveillance to provide the highest levels of security for your irreplaceable data. Our security solutions are comprehensive and the technology we use is unique. We are able to verify threats before alerting you or officials of a threat. Download our detailed checklist to discover more best practices when it comes to securing your server room.