How to Optimize Security, Regarding Your Servers

Your business relies on its servers in order to function - which makes it incredibly important that these servers are sufficiently protected. There are a few practices that you can put into place that will help you to secure your server room. Let’s work our way from the inside out as we review them.

Keep Your Power Supplies Backed Up

That’s the thing about servers… just like the rest of your IT infrastructure, they need power in order to work. Servers in particular can be damaged if they aren’t given the time to power down properly. Should your business ever lose power, you will want to have uninterruptible power supplies to support them as the proper shutoff procedures are followed. Just ask us about a UPS solution to learn more about it.

Keep the Contents of Your Server Room Locked Up (and Alarmed)

Consider, for a moment, the value of your infrastructure - not just how much the components of it cost, but how much the data that it contains is worth to you, and the potential losses that any downtime could incur. It only makes sense, then, that you would lock your infrastructure in place. For safety and security’s sake, you should include your server’s peripherals in your lockdown - including the cables and switches that connect it all.

While you’re at it, you should also make sure that your infrastructure is safe from threats. Yes, this includes theft, but it can also include other issues that are more specific to the environment of a server room. In addition to setting up an alarm system that will alert you to any unauthorized access, fire needs to be considered as well - going so far as to add extinguishers and suppression systems as well. This isn’t the only environmental alarm that is recommended, either. Since moisture can create some significant issues as well, detection systems for that are also recommended.

Keep Access Controlled Via Permissions

How many people in your organization can access your server infrastructure? If it is more than the minimum required to keep it running as needed, you’re opening your business up to various potential insider threats. Access control solutions that utilize privileges based on permissions allow you to prevent these threats from taking root - including simple accidents and other interior concerns.

Keep Monitoring Your Server Room

Finally, to truly secure your server rooms, you need to make sure that you know who is accessing it, and when they do so. This makes it even more critical that you leverage things like access control and other similar solutions, as you can confirm that your servers are only being accessed by the appropriate people at the appropriate times.

If you need help with any of this, Horne & Benik is here to assist you. For improved optimization and security, reach out to us at (603) 499-4400.