Data centers are quickly becoming the backbone of our information-driven world. At the same time, the increasing sophistication of cybersecurity attacks, combined with the growing frequency of extreme climate events, means there is also greater operational risk than ever before, as bad actors have begun targeting cooling centers to purposefully compromise the equipment, causing irreversible loss and damage. Â
The best defense against these threats is an integrated system centered around situational awareness and security. By taking steps to safeguard key areas, data center operators can enhance the protection of their facility and data, helping prevent costly threats and downtime. Â
Seeing the Big PictureÂ
Developing a comprehensive awareness and monitoring system serves as a critical first step to protecting data centers. This is especially important as data centers begin to welcome more tenants into shared space, requiring vendors to consider each tenant individually and as part of the broader system. A threat to one tenant can quickly become a threat to all tenants.Â
Centralizing all information in one system provides a single location for operators to view and analyze real-time data, allowing them to instantly access critical information, monitor incidents and respond quickly with pre-defined incident workflows. An intelligent system will integrate all security events — including video recordings, access point clearance and data reporting — together in one place to reduce coverage gaps and information silos. Â
Another benefit of having one comprehensive system is the ability to integrate separate aspects of the system to improve response time. For example, a centralized security system could be configured to ensure that any fire or intruder alarm immediately triggers the CCTV cameras in the vicinity of the alarm, so the security team can quickly and efficiently respond to the situation. Close partnering between systems that transcend departments such as security, IT and the management of employees, contractors and visitors is key to protecting the facility and its data, both in low-friction (e.g. office space) and high-friction (e.g. server space) areas. Â
Addressing the GapsÂ
Once a centralized security system is in place, operators can address the cybersecurity gaps where the data center is most vulnerable to bad actors. A strong, always-on cybersecurity program should be tailored to the specific facility and its compliance needs, often including:Â Â
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Data encryption: Whether data is stored in the system or just passing through, encryption is key to preventing unauthorized access. A strong encryption process goes beyond thwarting attacks — it is critical for establishing trust, ensuring the authenticity of data exchanged, guaranteeing the integrity of commands to smart devices and maintaining secrecy where it is needed most. Â
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Network security: Data center operators can help prevent unauthorized access and cyberattacks by developing strong intrusion detection/prevention systems, firewalls and network segmentation.Â
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Facility protection: By integrating technologies such as electronic access control, biometrics, CCTV and perimeter detection, operators can maintain security around the physical facility. Security also requires vendors to adhere to standard operating procedures, often overlooked in today’s technology-focused environment, such as enforcing visitor security policies and requiring visitors to have escorts. Â
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Regular audits and updates: It may seem to be a lower priority than the often-urgent concerns set forth above, but out-of-date firmware carries a significant cybersecurity risk. Proactive attention and system maintenance can reduce operating costs in the long run and help avoid costly downtime.Â
Looking AheadÂ
With so many current considerations to focus on, data center operators must also look ahead to future-proof their facility. As quickly as the industry has grown in recent years, the momentum will likely continue to accelerate.Â
One new frontier emerging is quantum security: using quantum-enhanced randomness to deliver truly unpredictable key generation and safeguard sensitive information. This enables the system to develop armor that evolves just as quickly as cybersecurity threats.Â
As the largest companies make significant investment in data centers — for example, Microsoft’s plan to invest approximately $80 billion in AI-enabled datacenters in FY25 — many in the industry are watching to see how these companies’ actions and investments shape the future of both data centers and building security overall. Â
Another forward-looking trend is military-grade solutions entering the commercial and industrial marketplace. It is clear to understand how a system hardened for integrated perimeter security in harsh environments can also fit the security and resilience needs of a data center. In addition, those solutions have often been certified through rigorous testing and evaluation, giving operators confidence their system can withstand almost all third-party attacks. Â
Finally, the industry will begin to prioritize modularity — meaning systems that can be added to in the future, will work with third-party solutions and are both user-friendly and energy-efficient. This allows operators to expand their facilities to include the latest and greatest technology without a costly overhaul of their existing infrastructure. By integrating with their business systems and leaning into wider stakeholder influence, organizations can more effectively monitor and manage their facilities using modular systems.Â
Cybersecurity risks can never truly be considered resolved — it is constantly evolving. But by continuously revisiting the areas detailed above, data center operators can enhance their facility and systems protections, helping to protect their data now and in the future. Â