Digital Era
In this digital age, the reliance on the home of the internet; Data Centres; is increasing, this is not only a result of increased home workers and cloud computing, but also the rapid global adoption of AI. The demand for capacity is estimated to grow between 19% and 20% annually between 2023 and 20301 with anticipated growth beyond. And as demand for cloud services continues to soar, regulations evolve and cyber threats increase, Data Centres have a complicated new reality to navigate.
The criticality of Data Centre’s powering the UK economy has also been recognised by the UK Government, who in 2024, classified Data Centre’s as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). This recognition not only allows for additional support for the sector in event of critical incidents but also aims to safeguard our economy and minimise the overall impact in the event of a breach.
The increased demand and CNI classification necessitate the need for Data Centre’s to amplify their square footage and further “batten down the hatches” on security. As mission critical security solutions go, Total Security Protection’s (TSP) relationship with Genetec and the core 7 enterprise security solution providers for Data Centres2, has been at the forefront of our ensuring effective security, maintenance of business continuity, delivery, quality, safeguarding trust and compliance of our Data Centre clients.
TSP and & Genetec in Data Centres
Our highly aligned propositions and values, creates a unified approach to Data Centre Security, providing solutions to:
- maximise availability
- drive efficiencies
- mitigate risk
- reduce costs
- enforce compliance
And our joint accreditations, which include NSI, ISO 27001, CAPSS 2023 and SOC II, ensure that our solutions are not only compliant, but also protect your data centre from the ground up and our joint experience with the sector enables us to tailor solutions to suit your specific operational needs.
Data Centre Physical Security Layers
Addressing the physical access needs of a Data Centre allows operators to consider the security of their facilities holistically. Every Data Centre requires four individual layers of security, think of it like an onion. These four layers protect the core of your Data Centre; the data; and ensures physical access is granted to those with the correct credentials.
Layer One: Perimeter Protection
The perimeter is your first line in defence of protecting your data centre, the aim is to deter, detect, delay and deny unauthorised access to your data centre from the outset.
Spot intruders before your perimeter – Use radar, LiDar, fence intrusion detection, and video AI-based analytics to detect potential intruders and drones’ way beyond the fence line.
Place physical barriers to deter, delay and deny – creating a physical barrier to your sites using barriers, gates and HVM (Hostile Vehicle Mitigation) solutions. Preventing the rushing of vehicles but also directing traffic (both foot and motorised) through controlled entry points.
Extend your perimeter security with ANPR – Know which vehicles are always on your premises using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology
Layer Two: Facility Control
Facility control is about controlling the access to your facility, whether for employees, visitors or contractors.
Define access rights policies and compliance rules – Ensure restriction to critical zones, manage access to the right people and manage time on site restrictions
Optimise your evidence reporting – Save time by securely granting access to evidence at the click of a button.
Layer Three: Quadrant Control
Layer 3 focuses on your Security Operations Centre (SOC), with the aim to protect data centre grey and white space. The grey and white spaces within Data Centres, often being large and unguarded, increases the risk of unsupervised individuals in mission critical areas of your facility.
Physical Security Management Software (PSIM) – get full situational awareness of your facility and streamline the management of security operations on a single user interface. Unifying the data from your existing systems, PSIM’s enable Data Centre security operators to identify and react to situations in a timely manner using actionable intelligence.
Apply AI analytics to CCTV – Receive alerts and reports on unusual behaviour and potential security threats
Utilise Access Control Report – receive real-time alerts to attempted unauthorised access requests
Maximise your video coverage – Get a clear picture of incidents and empower your team to quickly react to threats
Digitise your Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) – Guide your operators’ response to predefined custom events and incidents
Layer Four: Cabinet Control
Layer four relates to the core of your data centre and ensuring its security is paramount.
Enhance your security with IP access control – Intelligent key systems and biometrics use fault-tolerant IP access control removing unauthorised access
Increase saleable KWh with secure Co-Lo – Implement 2FA or 3FA using access control, rack mounted CCTV and biometrics to prevent accidental or intentional unauthorised access to client data
Furthermore, the environment in which data racks, cabinets and cages is maintained.
Temperature Control – Unify HVAC temperature sensors within Genetec’s security platform
TSP & Genetec
TSP have been a Genetec partner for over 10 years, and in 2020 we received an accelerated partner status from Unified, to Unified Elite in just 3 months. This acceleration came after several high-profile projects including a major Data Centre Upgrade and since then, our relationship has only gone from strength to strength. This was further cemented by Genetec awarding TSP UK and Ireland Partner of Year 2024.
Speaking on the award and our relationship with Genetec, TSP Sales Director Chris Worrall said
“This award acknowledges TSP and Genetec’s ever-expanding collaboration across a variety of sectors, including our largest industry, Data Centres. As a unified Elite Partner, we have worked relentlessly to provide enterprise security solutions to our end users and are thrilled about the future opportunities that our continuing partnership will offer.”
In addition, in 2024 TSP revealed their demo suite located in Leeds, sponsored by Genetec, and sports Genetec’s full Security Centre alongside the latest security technologies and solutions.
Shared Client Focus
Alongside our extensive experience within Data Centres, we also collaborate across of number of sectors, providing enterprise security solutions to:
- High Secure / Government – implementing high-level security protocols to protect sensitive information and critical infrastructure
- Utilities – provide security solutions which safeguard the UK’s CNI and meet regulatory safety standards
- Corporate Spaces – protection of people, along with physical and digital assets
- Banking and Financial Services – aiding regulatory compliance, protecting
- Manufacturing – protection of assets, monitoring processes, and ensuring personnel safety
- Leisure – solutions designed to monitor large crowds & activities aiding quick response times to incidents
- Transportation – maintain the safety of passengers, infrastructure and cargo
- Source McKinsey & Company: https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/technology-media-and-telecommunications/our-insights/ai-power-expanding-data-center-capacity-to-meet-growing-demand
- 7 core technology providers: Genetec, Honeywell, Tyco, Amag, LenelS2, Nedap & Gallagher