How
to build secure data centre
Data
centre security is transforming all the time. The need for fully
equipped data centre security solutions results from constantly
changing regulatory requirements. Also, cloud migration and the
increased frequency of cyberattacks are pushing the envelope for
building a more secure data centre network. The cyber-attacks
globally have increased by 28%
in the 3rd quarter of 2022 when compared to 2021 during the same
period. The average number of cyberattacks per week has reached 1130
plus per company worldwide. As most companies use data centres for
managing IT operations and data storage, making them robust in terms
of security is imperative to prevent cyber-attacks and security
breaches. Here are 7 steps to build a strong and secured data centre.
Common
Cyberattacks affecting Data centres
- Ransomware
- Distributed
denial of service (DDoS) - Malware
- Phishing
- External
attacks - Brute-force
attacks
7
Steps to Build Secured Data Centre Networks
- Secure
the physical location of the data centre
The
on-premise environment for a data centre includes the geographic
location, ground, underground, building space, and utilities that
power it. Here are some tips.
- Choose an ideal location that is not prone to floods, earthquakes, storms, or other natural disasters.
- Select a place to deploy a data centre with alternative power sources like solar, wind, etc.
- The place must have good water source availability for cooling the equipment
- Choose an area that has good network connectivity
- Provide limited access to the data centre to simplify physical defences
- Create proper measures to combat emergencies like a fire, water logging, pests, etc.
2. Review, Monitor, and limit physical & remote access
Secure
access is imperative to protect a data centre. To provide safe
access, develop multiple layers of protection that control the
permission levels of each individual. Some of the steps for securing
data centre access are:
- Maintain
24/7 vigilance using CCTV and on-premise security officials - Provide
layered access to every section of the data centre facility - Use
facial recognition, biometrics, smart cards, etc., to provide secure
access - Use
cloud security solutions like SASE (service edge), XDR, etc., for
employees working remotely
3. Secure your network & data
Securing
your data centre includes safeguarding both stored and moving data in
and around the networks. Some of the steps include:
- Deploy
a zero-trust security model that presumes every inch of network
traffic is potentially dangerous - Use
state-of-the-art tools & services to protect data and networks
like firewalls, IP address monitoring, DDoS protection, etc. - Constantly
review and upgrade data centre security policies.
4. Provide security awareness training to every employee
To
provide effective training to your workforce on security awareness,
avoid the long lecturing session and hundreds of pages of reading
materials. Use Continuous but short awareness video bites &
analytics.
5. Upgrade and maintain your data centre
Regularly
updating the data centre’s hardware and software is essential to
provide foolproof security. Some of the steps include:
- Replace
the existing hardware of the data centre every 2-6 years - Always
patch the design centre software with the latest security fixes
6. Setup a data backup
Run
frequent data backup sessions for your data centre so that in case
there is a natural disaster or cyberattack, you can easily retrieve
backup data.
7. Segment your network
Segment the data centre’s network to limit the impact of a data breach only to a few areas rather than the entire network.
Conclusion
Securing
your data centre involves considerable planning and effort in
monitoring and protecting the facility both physically &
virtually. The above 7 steps offer the best chance of creating a
secure environment for your data centre network and minimizing the
chances of encountering data breaches and cyberattacks.