The importance of server placement
Placing your devices is extremely important. It is not only important to have the security devices, such as cameras, card readers and more in the right spots. Arguably the most important factor of device placement comes into play with placing your servers, networking equipment and everything else that is part of your critical infrastructure. The most vulnerable spot in your network of devices is where everything is interconnected.
Let’s consider the following worst case scenario:
You rent or own a commercial bay. This bay is set up with a high speed network, HD surveillance cameras and an alarm system. Someone is in the process of breaking into your place of business during the night. They are captured by the cameras and the alarm system right away. This person now has two options, either find the place that your data is kept, or simply grab something and run. Should they choose to try and find your surveillance server and alarm system, the server placement and the placement of the alarm system for that matter are completely essential.
Fact is:
Many alarm companies do not provide you with APL services. This is a service that will provide you with an alarm, even if the alarm system is completely destroyed. All of our alarm systems are enabled with this feature and will protect you in the case of someone vandalizing your alarm system. More on APL here.
Most camera systems are set up locally with one server protecting all the collected video footage. These servers are usually easy to spot, not replicated (data is kept somewhere else as well) and are very vulnerable to damage. This allows for someone to disable the device by simply unplugging it, and destroy it by grabbing it and smashing it on the ground.
Many small business networks can be disabled by unplugging just one power cord. Since no power backups are in place and most networking infrastructure is exposed, this can be an extremely easy feat.
This is where the placement of your critical infrastructure comes in place:
The placement of your devices is of utter importance. Not only do your hard drives contain your confidential data and surveillance footage. Providing easy access to your devices can be a major security risk. We recommend keeping all major infrastructure devices, such as servers, network switches, routers, surveillance servers, access control servers and more, kept within a safe enclosure. These enclosures can be server racks, server cabinets, skeleton racks within secured rooms. The reason we recommend racks, is because of their organizational value. Not only can a rack server as a storage compartment for all your devices, organizing them nicely. A server rack can also help you organize wiring, keep devices cool, secure your device from unauthorized access and more. More on Server Racks here.
The second recommendation comes from the power requirements of all these devices. In case of a power failure, someone accidentally or willingly unplugging your main power supply and more, your entire infrastructure ends up failing. This risk can be easily mitigated by installing a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply). A UPS can provide you with a few minutes to hours of power, without needing power plugged into it. This allows to protect your devices from the aforementioned risks. Read more on UPS’s and how they can protect your devices here.
Finally, your server room location should be evaluated closely. Using a room that is centrally located within the building that is labelled server room with a simple wooden door is usually not the best idea from a security aspect. Thieves know that your high value items are stored within the room, and chances are that if your server room is not protected by a heavier door, the security within the room is also lacking. We have seen it many times that servers are simply stored within cabinets or on top of them, making them easy to destroy or steal.
We can help you mitigate the security risks your device placement may cause for you. Our design experts can help you find the right room within your building to use as a server room and decide on the placement of all your IT and security infrastructure. We have a wide variety of server racks and cabinets, as well as uninterruptible power supplies available to help you protect your devices for most dangerous situations.
Get in Touch
Feel free to contact us with any questions or comments. You can call us at any time at (403) 477-4800 or email us at [email protected].
