| DUCT TAPE YOUR DATA CENTER?
As the nation clears store supplies of duct tape and plastic sheeting for protection in the event of a terrorist attack, businesses are evaluating the protection of their people and systems.
Security is on everyone's mind as the world takes a new route to the future. Businesses, the government, and all public sectors have increased security and screening of people. Efficient measures have been taken to evacuate buildings in the event of a disaster. Awareness is up. People are alert.
Many have taken precautions for cyber-terrorism by installing new and more sophisticated firewalls. However, with all these precautions can you be certain that the critical data of the business will be secure?
Duct tape and plastic sheeting will not adequately protect the data or telecommunication center. It is recommended to seal the data platform through a proper compartmentalization method.
Protecting the Data Center
Now the question becomes what can be done to protect the data platform and the crucial data from the other effects of terrorism? What can be done to prevent the spread of fire from one area to another within the office building? What can be done to ensure that emergency services will have adequate time to do their jobs and save lives?
There are many things that can be done to prevent such events from having drastic effects on your business. However, I would like to focus on the issue of fire safety and compartmentalization.
An assessment should be made of the entire building--especially the area around the data center. The integrity of the fire rated walls should be examined first to make sure that they are still meeting code requirements and are capable of existing under adverse conditions.
Not only should the exterior walls of the entire building be evaluated for potential openings and destruction of ratings on fire walls, but interior building walls should be examined as well (i.e. walls between printing areas and offices, walls separating various departments, and especially the walls surrounding the data center).
Why is compartmentalization so important?
Compartmentalization is important primarily for fire safety. It ensures that the integrity of your fire rated walls are intact, restores the integrity of the structure, and creates a barrier.
The barrier that compartmentalization creates is becoming the most important feature. Not only does it stop the spread of fire, but it also creates an airtight seal around openings that would have allowed gases, smoke, or contaminated air to flow through.
In the event of a fire or terrorist attack (chemical or biological) it can stop or hinder the spread of these contaminants and hopefully reduce the risk of further destruction or the loss of life.
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Side Note
Using the "sleep settings" available on computers has become more widespread among data center managers and IT departments. Activating a power management features can combat the $900 million in energy wasted each year in the United States, contributes to a cleaner environment and can aid in keeping the temperature balanced in rooms at a lesser cost.
The International Facility Management Association states that the U.S. EPA's Energy Star program has developed software tools that automatically activate existing power-saving features. Cisco Systems installed this feature on 20,000 workstations, and expects to save more than $500,000 annually, which is enough to light 2,700 homes for a year.
More information and power management downloads are available at www.energystar.gov
Air Plenum Publications
By: Matthew Frank
www.airplenum.com
©2003 Air Plenum
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