When you think of ways to protect your server room and data, you probably immediately jump to cybersecurity efforts. While those are vital, physical security efforts can sometimes be overlooked when it comes to a secure server room.
We have created a checklist to ensure your server room is physically secure, which includes 8 in-depth checkpoints to implement in your server room as well as a guide of Sonitrol’s products and how they can keep the room, your employees, and property safe. Below are the possible risks you could face without implementing physical security measures.
What Happens When Your Server Room Is Unsecured
Physical dangers are in your building right now. These threats include temperature, humidity levels, water leaks, and intrusion. All of these threats can damage equipment, slow performance, and even harm your employees in the case of extreme events like break-ins and serious fires.
It’s important to identify, monitor, and prevent all threats to your server room. You can do this by running a risk assessment, which is the first step in a Contingency Plan. These are some of the physical aspects that you can control to keep your server room safe and possible implications of what could happen when they’re overlooked.
- Temperature. A server room needs to be in a temperature controlled environment at all times so the computers don’t overheat. It’s suggested that server rooms be kept between 68 to 72 degrees for optimal reliability. Aside from the heat produced by the computers, outside factors could contribute to the temperature. It’s best to have a server room where there are no windows as sunlight will affect the room temperature throughout the day. Humidity levels are also important to monitor and should be kept in the 45%-55% range as too little or too much humidity can cause damage.
- Fires. Without proper temperature and humidity monitoring, server rooms can easily become a serious fire hazard. Fires can start from overheating, electrical failure of IT equipment, and issues with wires in the subfloor.
- Break-ins. If your server room is not properly protected against break-ins, you could put your people and property in serious danger. Not everyone needs access to the server room and if left unlocked or someone gains access who shouldn’t, your data could be stolen, equipment damaged beyond repair, and people could be harmed.
How Sonitrol Can Protect Your Server Room
These threats may seem overwhelming and unpredictable, but there are measures you can take to prevent and protect your server room.
To maintain temperature and protect against fires, you should invest in a fire alarm system that provides for smoke and heat detection and temperature monitoring for temperature-sensitive areas like server rooms. It is vital to catch a fire in the early stages and our verified system ensures that no false alarms occur.
To protect against break-ins, there are several measures you can take. First and foremost, Access Control reduces possible harmful activity, allows for traffic control, monitors activity, and maintains strict access to certain areas. It is also monitored 24 hours a day by our trained security professionals.
In conjunction with our Security Camera System and Audio Detection solutions, threats can be recorded audibly and visually to authenticate all types of threats.
Download our Secure Server Room and Secure Server Room Access Control checklist for more information and contact us to see how we can help protect your business from the inside out.