Issue link: https://cp.revolio.com/i/686088
THE DATA CENTER JOURNAL | 17 www.datacenterjournal.com infrastructure management (DCIM) systems and existing server-rack enclosure designs. Integrating electronic access solu- tions at the rack level offers the maximum level of physical security, providing peace of mind for the data center operator. Electronic access solutions (EASs) typically consist of four main components: • Electromechanical lock or latch (EML)—e most critical component of any electronic access system, the EML performs the electromechani- cal locking or unlocking function on receipt of a valid electronic signal and provides an output of its status to external monitoring systems. • Access-control device—Serves as the human interface, allowing the EML to be remotely operated through a variety of options such as digital keypads, biometrics and RFID readers. • Remote monitoring—Electronic ac- cess solutions have the unique ability to capture an electronic "signature" for each access attempt. is info, together with additional security and environ- mental data, can be output to a variety of devices from simple indicator lights to networked, soware-based remote monitoring systems. • Manual override—In some cases, an override system is required to provide access in the event of a system power failure. is override system can be mechanical or electrical with power systems. e main element of effective rack- level electronic access systems is the use of intelligent electronic locks that restrict access through the validation of user cre- dentials. Electronic locks can be integrated with a variety of rack-level access-control devices depending on the application re- quirements. ese devices include digital keypads, RFID-card readers, biometric readers and electronic key systems. A recent addition to this class of devices is Bluetooth-enabled wireless smartphone access, where a technician receives a web- generated electronic key on a smartphone that enables access a specific cabinet for a specific time frame. A Bluetooth reader installed inside the cabinet can then receive this digital key and send the signal to the connected electronic lock for access. e smartphone simultaneously sends audit-trail data wirelessly to the cloud for audit-trail reporting. ese intelligent electronic access solutions can add an additional layer of security by networking with existing data center security systems for access-control reporting. Electronic locks receive the ap- propriate electronic signal to operate and simultaneously provide critical lock-status output signals for remotely monitoring the security of the enclosure—automatic verification that the right person accessed the right cabinet in the designated time frame. Most importantly, verifying creden- tials at the rack level can prevent costly data breaches and compliance penalties, especially for colocation centers that house cloud-computing assets and store sensitive data for multiple organizations. is trackable, electronic credential- ing—step by step from the front door of the building to the rack level—makes the most sense given the current level of data security. IntegratIng rack-leVel eas Into exIstIng data centers One of the simplest reasons why data center cabinets and server racks continue to use standard mechanical locks is the numbers: although data centers have relatively few access points to get into the building, potentially hundreds of cabinet doors would need intelligent electronic locks—and usually two are required to accommodate the server rack. e costs associated with outfit- ting these cabinets, combined with the complexity of wiring and powering all the locks and connecting them back to the data center's building access-control systems, using traditional building-level security systems would be costly and time consuming. Also concerns would arise in some data center operations that the process of replacing all the components could generate dust or metal particles that could damage highly expensive server electronics. Complete rack-level electronic access solutions are now available that have been engineered to be modular and easily integrated into existing data center cabinet equipment and DCIM platforms. ese solutions cover a range of options and complexity levels. Depending on how Figure 1: Electronic access solutions provide a higher level of access control than traditional lock and key systems, and they can serve with existing security credentials to track and monitor access at the rack level.