Why you cannot ignore physical security while securing your data

Dec 29, 2018 | 21968 Views

As a user, if you were to ever find your laptop or phone in the wrong hands, would you be worried about your data? If you work in a large IT company, and you realized that a disgruntled ex-employee has just been into your server room, would you be alarmed?

We are living in a day and age where every organization needs a fool-proof arrangement of physical security solutions. No organization can be considered as a fully functioning one unless and until all its premises and data are secure.

While discussing data security, most conversations tend to be centered around encryptions and firewalls. As indispensable as these might be, overlooking the physical security of your devices, data centers and servers is a recipe for disaster.

Physical security of your data- what does it mean?

Information or data security refers to the process of protecting data from unauthorized internal or external access and destruction throughout its lifecycle. Data storage systems need to be protected against internal attacks with the help of physical security systems or solutions.

What are physical security systems?

Physical security systems are measures or equipment designed specially to ensure the physical protection of IT assets like facilities, resources, and other properties from unauthorized physical access. Physical security measures are procedures undertaken to protect these assets from physical threats like theft, vandalism and/or natural disasters.

We must understand the two important phases of physical security first.

Deterrence::

These are methods and measures that are meant to dissuade intruders and / or prevent natural events and accidents from affecting protected assets. The simplest way of executing this is through physical barriers and signs. The signs give enough warnings to intruders that any step further will bring them physical harm or prosecution. The physical barriers prevent access entirely.

Detection:

Detection is a process that involves recognizing and locating potential intruders using surveillance equipment like cameras, motion sensors, and security lights. Here are a few systems that help you secure your premises from breaches.

1. IP access controllers
IP access controllers are electronic security devices that identify users and control the entry and exit of visitors to and from the premises or protected areas. A typical IP access controller consists of an internal web server via a browser or via software installed on a host PC. In case of an alarm, IP controllers may initiate a connection to the host PC. This ability is important in large systems as it allows reducing network traffic generated by frequent polling.

2. Biometric devices
Biometric devices are security identification and authentication devices. Such devices use automated methods of verifying or recognizing the identity of a living person based on a physiological or behavioral characteristic. These characteristics include fingerprints, facial images, iris, and voice recognition. Biometrics are being used to establish better and accessible records of the hours that employees work. This biometric data is unique to the employees. Thus there is no chance of any fouling of data whatsoever.

3. Blocking entry points
Turnstiles, bollards are gates that functionally restrict anyone who surpasses the boundary without a permit. This permit could be a coin, a ticket, a pass, or anything similar. They provide superior access control by both detecting and deterring unauthorized entries.

Protecting people, assets and data is what physical security is all about and this must feature in your plans to secure every aspect of your organization. It’s imperative to hire the services of an experienced security partner, who can design and create the overall security structure keeping your needs in mind.

iSOLUS is an evolved, integrated security platform that helps security managers to take complete control of the company’s security through a single window. Instant alerts and seamless communication between devices make iSOLUS the preferred solution for many data centres and IT companies in India.

Please visit our website www.solus.co.in and for any sales enquiries, please contact +91 8043336666 or drop an email to sales@solus.co.in.