See the vXchnge Difference at Our National Colocation Data Centers
By: Blair Felter on January 7, 2019
Data centers are regularly entrusted with the security of sensitive data and IT assets. Companies depend upon these facilities to provide thorough protections from data breaches or other forms of unauthorized access. In addition to providing robust physical security and implementing thorough cybersecurity protocols, data centers must also work with their customers to put strong logical security in place.
Logical security refers to the specific controls put in place to govern or restrict access to computer systems and data storage. While physical security forms an exterior defensive shell around a data center’s infrastructure, logical security is more deeply incorporated into the system to prevent intrusion and unauthorized access. Any security measure that grants access to specific people with approved credentials while restricting others can be categorized as logical security.
Some forms of logical security incorporate physical security measures. Biometric identification such as retina scans or fingerprint analysis use unique physiological identifiers to regulate access to critical IT and data assets for colocation customers. While these systems are incorporated into physical barriers (doors, lockers, etc), they are considered forms of logical security because they can’t be circumvented by simply obtaining a key or getting a name added to a list. Someone must authorize a person and then take the steps to add their biometric information. Biometric locks are a particularly valuable form of security for server cabinets, ensuring that only a handful of people have access to the hardware behind a company’s IT infrastructure.
Logical security can take many forms in the system’s software as well. Some examples of software-based logical security could include:
For all the concern about cyberattacks and natural disasters, the truth of the matter is that the majority of server downtime is caused by human error. Logical security not only reduces the possibility of human error by limiting access, but it also makes it easier to track errors and diagnose problems when they do occur. By tracking what kind of errors occurred and documenting who made them, organizations can shore up vulnerabilities and educate users to help them avoid making similar mistakes in the future.
Cybercriminals can penetrate a network in a variety of ways, from brute force hacking attempts to elaborate phishing strategies. Logical security provides an additional layer of defense against these intrusions. While cybersecurity software and firewalls offer extensive protections, they won’t account for much if weak passwords or generous access protocols leave the proverbial door unlocked for even moderately skilled hackers. While logical security may not offer protections against all forms of cyberattack (such as DDoS attacks), it can greatly reduce the risk of unauthorized access and allow cybersecurity experts to track down intrusions more effectively when they do occur.
Cloud computing has made it possible for people to access their workplace’s public cloud or private cloud remotely with almost any device capable of getting online. This has created problems for many organizations, as any one of these devices, from laptops to smartphones, could represent a security threat. Malicious code embedded in a laptop’s operating system, for instance, could easily infect an otherwise secure network the moment that device is connected. Logical security access protocols can be put in place to manage employee devices, allowing companies to lock out lost devices and restrict the use of personal devices that may not be up to the same security standards of devices issued by the internal IT department.
Logical security measures form an important component of any data center’s operations. For the best facilities, it represents another critical link in the security chain that offers end-to-end protection for their customers. While no security measures are completely invulnerable, data centers can combine logical security with their physical and cybersecurity strategies to deliver the best possible protection for a company’s IT assets, data, and network infrastructure.
In this guide you will learn everything you need to know about data center security standards.