• About Us
  • Partnership Opportunities
  • Privacy Policy

Data Center Frontier

Charting the future of data centers and cloud computing.

  • Cloud
    • Hyperscale
  • Colo
    • Site Selection
    • Interconnection
  • Energy
    • Sustainability
  • Cooling
  • Technology
    • Internet of Things
    • AI & Machine Learning
    • Edge Computing
    • Virtual Reality
    • Autonomous Cars
    • 5G Wireless
    • Satellites
  • Design
    • Servers
    • Storage
    • Network
  • Voices
  • Podcast
  • White Papers
  • Resources
    • COVID-19
    • Events
    • Newsletter
    • Companies
    • Data Center 101
  • Jobs
You are here: Home / Voices of the Industry / Cybersecurity: It’s More than Just Technology

Cybersecurity: It’s More than Just Technology

By Voices of the Industry - May 14, 2018

Cybersecurity: It’s More than Just Technology

An IT Specialist working in a network center (Image: Shutterstock)

LinkedinTwitterFacebookSubscribe
Mail

In this edition of Voices of the Industry, Stewart Collier, Managing Director, Critical Environments, at Stream Data Centers, explains why it is time to recognize cybersecurity involves more than just technology, and how the roles of compliance and physical access ensure virtual security for the enterprise.

Cybersecurity

Stewart Collier, Managing Director, Critical Environments,
Stream Data Centers

The term “cybersecurity” is commonly associated with the protection of digital data from theft or compromise by hackers. For enterprise customers, however, most data breaches aren’t the result of technology villains inventing new ways to do damage. Instead, breaches are due to shortfalls in the development and enforcement of stringent security processes and protocols. This why a good cybersecurity plan starts with a ground-up approach, including not only the technology and virtual security in place, but very stringent physical security, backed by rigorously-tested procedures and clearly-defined business protocols.

The reality is, effective cybersecurity requires more than just a secure infrastructure and one-time installation of security processes. Cybersecurity requires ongoing attention to, and adjustment of, operational protocols and facilities management. The best strategy for ensuring it all: reliance on a data center with a strong and comprehensive mission-critical approach to business — including the support of experts whose sole focus is to collaborate with enterprise customers to enhance security and thwart cyberattacks.

Sound complicated? It’s really not. By relying on a top-tier data center provider, businesses can focus on delivering the promise to their own customers, confident that best-in-class compliance practices are being employed in the following key areas beyond the physical infrastructure itself:

Evergreen best practices

Times change. Cybersecurity threats are continually evolving. As a result, what’s currently defined as
a “best practice” could be outdated in a matter of months. Continually reviewing the details of internal operational procedures, in conjunction with staying up to speed on new and emerging threats, is key.
More often than not, staying ahead of the bad guys requires only minor adjustments to security measures already in place — but without an ongoing, top-to-bottom analysis of existing processes, even a minor security weakness or oversight could open the door to crippling damage.

[clickToTweet tweet=”Stewart Collier – Times change. Cybersecurity threats are continually evolving. #datacenters” quote=”Stewart Collier – Times change. Cybersecurity threats are continually evolving. #datacenters”]

24/7 monitored access

Protecting a data center with perimeter fences and gates, and controlling employee and visitor access with monitored portals, together, represent the most basic parameters of brick-and-mortar cybersecurity. Just as essential are 24/7 video surveillance of all areas of the facility (with an appropriate archive of recorded footage); multi-factor access control (like key cards, locks or biometric authentication) of users for some areas or activities (or the ability to add such protection incrementally); required presentation of government-issued photo IDs for all visitors; and secure areas within the center for employee meetings and collaborations. Ultimately, however, the value of these protection measures hinges on the consistent enforcement of security policies and the support of security vendors with demonstrated cybersecurity expertise.

Access to security partners

In addition to a company’s on-site 24/7 support from operations and facilities personnel, it’s just as important for employees to have 24/7 access to the services and technical support of their remote data center in order to get immediate attention and early resolution of any potential issues.

Up-to-date operational certification

Earning operational certifications, such as Uptime (M&O), PMP and ITIL certifications, is highly important — not only to ensure optimal delivery of service, but also to enhance a data center’s credibility to potential customers. It’s also important to have certifications to ensure operational consistency across a portfolio of critical facilities.

Always-current documentation

Beyond expert hands-on operations, however, it’s equally important to maintain thorough documentation and compliance procedures, such as drawings, OEM manuals and operating policies. Technical and facility support should be 24/7, both on-site and remote for immediate attention and early resolution of potential issues. Businesses can also benefit from the documentation and follow-through on a continuing-education policy for all personnel — not just engineers — to build and sustain a best-in-class operation.

Full compliance

Controlling and securing data reliably, and responding successfully to rigorous audits, can be daunting. Meeting compliance mandates, however, will not only ensure maximum security and availability, but also enhance a data center’s reputation for quality. Important compliance standards include, but are not limited to:

  • NIST 800-53 PE and FISMA
  • SSAE-18 (SOC 1)/ISAE 3402
  • PCI DSS
  • HIPM
  • HITRUST
  • ISO27001

Powerful partnerships

In addition to satisfying these critical cybersecurity needs, it’s just as important for companies to align with a data center that approaches every account as a partnership. One in which the customer’s in-house protocols are as equally respected as the data center’s expertise, and proactive attention to emerging threats is a commitment made by both. Through this combination of physical protection, quality assurance and team solidarity, companies can confidently overcome the cyber dangers we know about today and stay a step ahead of whatever may loom down the road.

Stewart Collier is Managing Director, Critical Environments, at Stream Data Centers.

LinkedinTwitterFacebookSubscribe
Mail

Tagged With: Colocation, cybersecurity, Data Center, Stream Data Centers

Newsletters

Stay informed: Get our weekly updates!

Are you a new reader? Follow Data Center Frontier on Twitter or Facebook.
voices@richmiller.biz'

About Voices of the Industry

Our Voice of the Industry feature showcases guest articles on thought leadership from sponsors of Data Center Frontier. For more information, see our Voices of the Industry description and guidelines..

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Voices of the Industry

Building an Enduring World Begins with Accountability and Defining an Approach for Long-term Success

Building an Enduring World Begins with Accountability and Defining an Approach for Long-term Success TJ Faze, Head of ESG Strategy and Engagement at Vertiv, outlines the company's learnings around its recent ESG efforts.

White Papers

Sustainable Data Centers

A New Era of Sustainable Data Centers

The energy footprint taken up by data centers will certainly increase as our reliance increases on artificial intelligence, machine learning, Internet of Things, and 5G. Another factor driving even more data use is that the world’s population will continue to increase, necessitating more devices, connectivity and more. Get the new paper that discusses what power providers are currently offering in key data center markets, what data centers are doing to be as efficient as possible, and how data center customers can support sustainability. 

Get this PDF emailed to you.

We always respect your privacy and we never sell or rent our list to third parties. By downloading this White Paper you are agreeing to our terms of service. You can opt out at any time.

DCF Spotlight

Data center modules on display at the recent Edge Congress conference in Austin, Texas. (Photo: Rich Miller)

Edge Computing is Poised to Remake the Data Center Landscape

Data center leaders are investing in edge computing and edge solutions and actively looking at new ways to deploy edge capacity to support evolving business and user requirements.

An aerial view of major facilities in Data Center Alley in Ashburn, Virginia. (Image: Loudoun County)

Northern Virginia Data Center Market: The Focal Point for Cloud Growth

The Northern Virginia data center market is seeing a surge in supply and an even bigger surge in demand. Data Center Frontier explores trends, stats and future expectations for the No. 1 data center market in the country.

See More Spotlight Features

Newsletters

Get the Latest News from Data Center Frontier

Job Listings

RSS Job Openings | Pkaza Critical Facilities Recruiting

  • MEP Coordinator - Data Center Construction - Ashburn, VA
  • Data Center Facility Engineer - Chantilly, VA
  • Data Center Site Operations VP - Seattle, WA
  • Senior Electrical Engineer - Data Center - Denver, CO
  • Senior Estimator - Data Center Construction - Denver, CO

See More Jobs

Data Center 101

Data Center 101: Mastering the Basics of the Data Center Industry

Data Center 101: Mastering the Basics of the Data Center Industry

Data Center Frontier, in partnership with Open Spectrum, brings our readers a series that provides an introductory guidebook to the ins and outs of the data center and colocation industry. Think power systems, cooling, solutions, data center contracts and more. The Data Center 101 Special Report series is directed to those new to the industry, or those of our readers who need to brush up on the basics.

  • Data Center Power
  • Data Center Cooling
  • Strategies for Data Center Location
  • Data Center Pricing Negotiating
  • Cloud Computing

See More Data center 101 Topics

About Us

Charting the future of data centers and cloud computing. We write about what’s next for the Internet, and the innovations that will take us there. We tell the story of the digital economy through the data center facilities that power cloud computing and the people who build them. Read more ...
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

About Our Founder

Data Center Frontier is edited by Rich Miller, the data center industry’s most experienced journalist. For more than 20 years, Rich has profiled the key role played by data centers in the Internet revolution. Meet the DCF team.

TOPICS

  • 5G Wireless
  • Cloud
  • Colo
  • Connected Cars
  • Cooling
  • Cornerstone
  • Coronavirus
  • Design
  • Edge Computing
  • Energy
  • Executive Roundtable
  • Featured
  • Finance
  • Hyperscale
  • Interconnection
  • Internet of Things
  • Machine Learning
  • Network
  • Podcast
  • Servers
  • Site Selection
  • Social Business
  • Special Reports
  • Storage
  • Sustainability
  • Videos
  • Virtual Reality
  • Voices of the Industry
  • Webinar
  • White Paper

Copyright Endeavor Business Media© 2022