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Does Your Colocation Data Center Provide the Security You Deserve?

Posted On : Apr-16-2012 | seen (1035) times | Article Word Count : 548 |

Every data center’s security is the same – right? Even with so many sets of standard practices, there are a shockingly large number of differences between most data centers and how they provide security.
Every data center’s security is the same – right? Even with so many sets of standard practices, there are a shockingly large number of differences between most data centers and how they provide security. If you choose a data center which isn't secure, then you are starting out at a disadvantage because there is no guarantee that you will always have access to your servers – or that someone else won't. When looking at levels of security in a Houston data center, there are a number of variables to look at.Thesevariables fall into two categories: physical and digital.

Physical Security

When looking at the physical security of a Houston data center, there are 3 areas that require special attention. The first area to focus on is access security. Access security is the set of preventative measures that a colocation data center has in place to ensure that no one can physically access your servers. There are number of steps that can be taken to enhance this type of physical security. Technologies which are becoming more common include ID badges, biometrics, physical keys, and multiple checkpoints within the data center itself.

Another critical aspect of physical security is hardware protection. This comes in the form of fire protection measures and advanced cooling systems. Fire and heat protection should include multiple strategies, including detection and suppression systems. The cooling system should be designed for the demands of High Performance Computing (HPC). This is especially important in warmer areas such as a Houston colocation data center. Currently, chilled water cooling has proven to be the best system in terms of quickly responding to load changes.

The final key aspect of physical security is protection from the environment. The location of the data center itself can be a very important issue. A data center’s location will determine what types of weather it will need to prepare for. Things like heavy snow, ice storms, tornadoes, flooding, earthquakes and hurricanes are all real threats that must be taken into account. Not only can they damage the data center itself, but the more likely scenario is that they will cause long term power outages, which can take days to resolve. One of the reasons that more Houston data centers are being built is because of Houston’s unique location. The city is just outside of tornado alley and far enough North that hurricanes are not a common threat.

Digital Security

Digital security is all about protecting unwanted guests from accessing your servers. One of the most important steps to digital security is keeping your own hardware and software up to date. Some colocation data centers will not do any updating for you, even if you request it. If you are not located within a convenient distance, then it is vital that you choose a Houston data center which offers these maintenance services for you.

Only you can decide whether or not your data center is providing you with the physical and digital security that you need. Fortunately, if you decide to make a change, the process can be much easier than you think.

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Keywords : Houston Data Center,

Category : Business : Business

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