How Collocation Hosting Can Secure Your Sensitive Data
Server co-location providers do take some precautions to safeguard information they are entrusted with by their customers. The most basic is to secure the building that houses all equipment against unauthorized access. They also make sure that all utilities have backups to ensure continuous operation in case of a failure. A utility like the power supplied to the equipment has a backup supply to cover for any failures.
One of the most basic steps for securing a colo datacentre is to lock it up and only allow people who have permission to get in. This way, those who do not have a reason to be there stay out. Using various access control technologies, the identity of all those requiring access can be determined. This is attained by using pass codes or security badges to identify people. Closed circuit television cameras are also great for visual verification.
Motion sensors when installed also offer a higher level of security for even better protection. The steel cages housing all the servers and other equipment are also locked up with quality padlocks. Only the person who has the keys gets to open up the cages. Whenever a customer needs to access a server for any reason, it only happens under supervision from an authorized person. A customer with ill motives, therefore, has zero chances of accessing any other equipment.
Most customers attach a lot of importance to availability of data stored in their servers. Providers therefore go to great lengths to maintain availability even in times of failures. What this entails is the use of more that one communication channels. They act as backups to each other, such that if one of them fails, another one is available for use immediately.
Power supply failures get protected too from disrupting provision of services. Diesel generators are commonly used to power the equipment when supply from the grid is interrupted. Battery banks are connected to supply power after a failure. In most cases, a few seconds do elapse before the generator starts to work. This delay can cause the systems to shut down temporarily resulting in unavailable services. Batteries make up for that lapse.
Most equipment generate a certain amount of heat when in operation. This heat needs to be controlled to avoid overheating and possible breakdowns. Many air conditioning units are installed to control temperature in the server rooms. When the temperature remains in the desired level, the chances of breakdowns are reduced. The use of many systems means that some can take over when others fail.
Further protection of the equipment is provided by using fire detectors. Fires have the ability to destroy equipment together with the information they carry. By using fire sensors, such an occurrence is detected early. Fire suppression systems are also used to fight a fire when it breaks out. A dry suppression system is the best since it does not use water which can ruin the electronics.
Tags: colo hosting, colocation, server co-location
eSource For Internet Businesses eSource For Internet Businesses RSS - Searches That Count Network