For any business that relies on servers, computers, and other IT infrastructure to operate, physical security should be a top priority. A breach of your physical defenses can lead to stolen data, corrupted systems, and lengthy outages that could cripple your operations. While cyber threats understandably get a lot of attention these days, you can’t overlook threats in the real world that could walk through your front door. This article will look at common physical security risks to your technology, best practices to mitigate them, solutions to implement, and how to develop an airtight security plan. Read on to learn how to lock down the physical security of your vital IT assets.

The Threats Are Real

Before diving into solutions, it’s important to understand the very real threats that exist to the physical security of your technology equipment and data centers.

Unauthorized Physical Access

The most direct physical threat comes from unauthorized individuals physically accessing secure areas and technology equipment. Intruders who bypass physical security controls could steal entire servers or hard drives containing sensitive data. They may also attempt to connect external devices to infiltrate networks or corrupt systems and data. 

Malicious actors will go to great lengths to gain physical proximity to target IT infrastructure. Tactics may include:

– Pretending to be authorized personnel 

– Accessing restricted areas under false premises

– Tailgating authorized staff into secure areas

– Exploiting vulnerabilities in physical security controls

Even employees without malicious intent but with access to secure equipment rooms can accidentally damage hardware if proper procedures aren’t followed.

Environmental Threats

Data centers and rooms housing critical IT infrastructure must provide a stable, clean environment. However, there are many environmental risks that can threaten equipment:

– Extreme temperatures can cause servers to overheat and malfunction. High heat also accelerates component degradation over time.

– Dust and particulates in the air can clog ventilation and cooling systems, leading to overheating. Dust buildup directly on components can also impede performance. 

– Humidity fluctuations outside safe levels correlate strongly with electronic equipment failure over time. Too much humidity can cause condensation, while too little can produce static discharge.

– Water and liquid leaks pose an obvious hazard to electronics and can easily damage servers beyond repair.

– Smoke and fires are extremely dangerous to IT equipment for obvious reasons. In addition to fire suppression systems, fire doors and walls must compartmentalize secure rooms.

– Vibrations and impacts from earthquakes, vehicles, rush hour subways, or construction activities can shake hardware loose or damage sensitive components. Shock-absorbing server racks and cabinets provide protection.

Power and Connectivity Failures

Servers and other IT infrastructure require constant, uninterrupted power to function and maintain security. Likewise, losing internet connectivity can severely impede operations. Possible failures include:

– Power outages shut down affected equipment immediately and can corrupt data or operating systems. Outages may result from blackouts, tripped circuit breakers, or accidentally unplugged hardware.

– Damaged or disconnected power cables interrupt vital electricity to servers even while general building power remains on.

– Power fluctuations like surges, spikes, and brownouts can damage components, corrupt data, and force unplanned reboots.

– Internet outages caused by external factors like damaged cables disconnect servers from the network, users, and essential hosted services.

– Network equipment failures including faulty switches, routers, or firewalls can isolate connected servers and devices.

Best Practices for Physical Security

Organizations that rely on servers and IT equipment must make physical security a priority. The following best practices establish strong perimeter protection and environmental controls:

Secure Server Room and Equipment

– House mission critical servers and infrastructure in a dedicated, locked server room only accessible to authorized staff

– Limit and monitor access to equipment rooms using smart card or biometric access control systems

– Keep server racks and cabinets locked, with keys managed by responsible staff

– Maintain meticulous organization of cabling, power cords, and network connections  

– Install security cameras to monitor and record activity in equipment rooms

– Enable multifactor authentication to access device management interfaces

– Secure racks, cabinets, and equipment to floors and walls to prevent theft or tampering

– Keep fire extinguishers and suppression systems up to date in equipment rooms

Limit and Monitor Physical Access

– Restrict access to server rooms and technology areas to only staff needing regular physical proximity for their role 

– Enforce least privilege permissions so staff only have access necessary for their specific duties

– Create a log of all access requests and grants to sensitive areas 

– Require escorts for any unauthorized staff needing intermittent access to secure rooms

– Ensure access control systems keep permissions updated as staff leave or change roles

– Monitor security cameras covering access points to sensitive areas

– Configure intruder detection alarms on all access points to continuously monitor for unauthorized activity

Protect Against Environmental Threats

– Install temperature and humidity sensors and alarms to detect unsafe deviations 

– Maintain and test backup cooling methods in case primary HVAC systems fail

– Filter particulate intake vents and regularly clean equipment rooms to control dust

– Seal floors, walls, wiring conduits, and cabling penetrations to minimize moisture and leak risks

– Place leak detection pans under equipment in elevated risk areas

– Isolate noisy vibration sources away from server rooms by a safe distance or using sound dampening constructions

– Adhere to fire codes for equipment rooms, including automated extinguishing systems and fire partitions

Maintain Power and Connectivity  

– Install uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems to keep equipment online during power outages

– Connect UPS systems to backup generators with automatic transfer switches for extended outages

– Surge protect all power inputs to servers and network equipment  

– Clearly label all power switches and receptacles to prevent accidental disconnections

– Regularly inspect cabling for damage and replace aging or deteriorating wiring

– Maintain a redundant internet connection via a secondary ISP or network path

– Monitor power loads and network traffic to ensure capacity meets demand

Physical Security Solutions

Integrating the following physical security solutions creates overlapping layers of protection to secure critical servers, computers, and IT infrastructure:

Access Control Systems

– Smart card readers restrict entry based on role-based credentials coded on employee badges

– Biometric systems like fingerprint or iris scanners verify authorized individual’s identity before allowing access

– Numeric keypads require staff to enter a code to unlock doors

– Mantraps only allow one person access at a time to prevent tailgating 

Video Surveillance

– Security cameras monitor and record all activity 24/7 both inside and outside the facility

– Closed circuit television (CCTV) systems can integrate with access control systems to view footage associated with badge entry logs

– Alarms trigger video recording and notifications if motion is detected during off hours

Intruder Alarms 

– Door and window contacts connected to a central alarm system detect unauthorized access attempts 

– Glass break sensors pick up the sound frequencies caused by broken glass

– Motion detectors cover open areas like hallways and rooms with no motion expected at night

Fire Suppression

– Automated sprinkler systems quickly react to suppress fires

– Chemical agents like FM200 or Novec neutralize fires without damaging equipment

– Handheld extinguishers provide backup firefighting capability

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

– Local UPS units maintain power to individual racks or devices during short outages

– Building or facility-level UPS systems can power the entire IT environment for extended outages until backup generators start

Backup Connectivity 

– Multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) networks provide redundant connections 

– Cellular network failover keeps priority systems online when wired networks fail

– Redundant internet service providers (ISPs) prevent reliance on any single point of failure

Creating a Physical Security Plan

Thorough planning makes implementing physical security controls more strategic, efficient, and effective. Organizations should follow these key steps:

Perform Risk Assessment

– Conduct audits to identify vulnerabilities in existing physical security measures

– Evaluate possible natural and man-made threats that could exploit weaknesses

– Estimate potential losses from destruction of uninsured assets and data  

– Rank threats based on risk likelihood and potential impact

– Use results to prioritize applying controls to highest risk areas first

Establish Policies and Procedures

– Outline formal physical security policies approved by leadership

– Set procedures for managing physical access control systems

– Document protocols responding to security incidents and environmental events

– Assign staff responsibility for monitoring and maintaining all physical safeguards 

Implement Physical Security Controls  

– Purchase appropriate equipment and solutions based on results of risk assessment

– Integrate new access control and monitoring systems with existing IT infrastructure

– Make physical renovations like new server room construction or retrofits 

– Test installation and configuration of new systems before going live

Test and Audit Physical Security  

– Schedule regular penetration testing using social engineering tactics or staged intrusions

– Conduct internal audits to confirm controls are properly implemented and enforced

– Review audit logs, security footage, and system events to identify potential vulnerabilities or incidents

Train Staff on Policies

– Educate all employees on physical security policies, procedures, and their role in enforcement

– Provide detailed technical training for staff managing physical security technology and controls

– Ensure everyone understands how to respond to security incidents, environmental events, or alarms

Conclusion

Physical threats against critical IT infrastructure like servers continue to present grave risks for organizations. While cybersecurity grabs attention, inadequate physical security exposes companies to massive financial, operational, and reputational damage. 

By securing equipment rooms, controlling access, monitoring activity, guarding against environmental hazards, and maintaining power and connectivity, companies can achieve effective protection. Integrating smart physical security solutions, training staff, and auditing controls verifies that defenses function as intended.

No single product or process can fully eliminate physical security risk. However, prudent planning, assessment, investment, and continuous improvement enables organizations to manage vulnerabilities. For companies relying on servers and other technology infrastructure, vigilant physical security is a business essential.