A recently released study conducted by Verizon Business and the United States Secret Service shows that despite all the countermeasures applied to prevent data breaches, the problem is still wide-spread and costly.  The majority of the information lost was due to the concentrated efforts of criminal organizations.  These criminals utilize a variety of methods to acquire financial and other personal information, then sell this information on the black market for stolen identities, credit card numbers and banking information.

In some areas the study found that data theft had decreased from the previous study period, but this is probably due to the over abundance of credit card numbers and other information that has created a glut in the market.  The supply has outpaced demand to the extent that the price for such information has dropped below the point where it is profitable to steal more.  This is hardly good news for consumers.

This study underscores how critical it is for organizations to maintain control over their mission critical information.  Having a safe environment in which to operate IT equipment and store backup media is a major component in this equation.  That is where a Class 125 data vault can give security-conscious organizations an advantage.  These vaults are capable of protecting against catastrophic fires, stabilizing the interior climate, and improving physical security.  This secure environment combined with a well designed and implemented cybersecurity program mitigates the risk of data theft and loss.

For more information on the Verizon/Secret Service study, here is the link to the original article: http://newscenter.verizon.com/press-releases/verizon/2010/2010-data-breach-report-from.html

A nationwide network of offsite data protection firms is also able to provide disaster recovery services when their clients are in need.  Because these services are available through the Secure Media Vault Associates (SMVA) it is possible to utilize the facilities of an SMVA member in another region if the nature of the disaster requires temporarily relocating operations.  This gives DR planners much more flexibility and many more options when formulating their disaster response protocols.

Many of these companies have helped their clients through major natural disasters, long-term power outages, fires, etc.  In addition to traditional disaster recovery/business continuity services these locations are also able to host containerized data center modules, such as Firelock’s Secure Agile Vault Environment, or SAVE units. 

SMVA network members all offer their clients a much higher level of data protection than their competition.  Unlike the national chains of offsite data storage companies, these owner-managed independent companies in the SMVA network utilize Firelock Class 125 data-rated fireproof vaults with optimum environmental conditions for the protection of their clients’ data tapes.  In addition to protecting data backup tapes, these vaults are used to protect the IT equipment (for E-vaulting and co-location) that hosts their clients mission critical information.  They also utilize the latest technology in barcode tracking of media and GPS monitoring of their media transport vehicles. 

The standards of excellence they uphold in their data storage business are applied the their disaster recovery services.  These service capabilities combined with the flexibility of the many network locations gives SMVA clients unbeatable disaster recovery options.

Firelock will once again exhibit at the Professional Records and Information Services Management (PRISM) Conference in Reno, NV from May 11-13.  This event features seminars and a trade show for owners and managers in the offsite data storage services industry, including offsite tape storage, E-vaulting and server co-location.  As a provider of the highest rated fireproof data vaults in the industry, we are always happy to meet offsite data storage service providers who are looking for a way to offer their clients the best data storage environment for their mission critical backup tapes and E-vaulting equipment.

Over the years a network of Firelock-equipped offsite storage companies all over the country has formed to offer customers with multiple locations in other cities the same level of protection at all locations by partnering with other network members.  This network, called the Secure Media Vault Associates (SMVA) is also able to share leads and ideas on best practices for information security and facilities management.  Firelock will be hosting a networking event and informal seminar for SMVA members and prospective members from 1:00-5:00 PM on May 10th.

Firelock will also be hosting roundtable discussions on marketing ideas for the offsite data storage industry and a seminar on “Making You a Better You” through networking and other beneficial business practices.  Hope to see you there!

One of the things data center operators frequently ask me is how we are able to maintain the integrity of the vault with their cooling system’s needs for coolant lines penetrating the vault.  The answer is the insulated pipe penetration assemblies we install to protect this critical area.  Without the ability to adequately cool the server room equipment the data center will not function properly, and if the server room is not protected everything is lost in a disaster.

One very attactive option for cooling is the LiquiCool® Rear Door Heat Exchanger (RDHx) system offered by Coolcentric.  This type of system utilizes the airflow generated by the server equipment to push the warm air through the radiator-like heat exchangers in the units that replace the rear doors of the server cabinets.  This cools the air before it exits the rack and keeps the temperature in the server room at optimum levels.  Coolcentric’s RDHx system is very energy efficient and reliable because there are no fans or other moving parts on the server cabinets.  A Coolant Distribution Unit monitors the temperatures within the individual racks and increases or decreases the flow of chilled water to each unit as needed to achieve maximum efficiency.  Over time the total cost of ownership of RDHx systems is lower than conventional HVAC systems due to the reduced power consumption.

Coolcentric offers this product with a coolant line manifold that is located inside the vault, so only a single pair of supply and return lines is needed to penetrate the vault structure to connect to the water chiller unit.  This is ideal for maintaining the integrity of Firelock’s Class 125 data vaults.  Of course the coolant penetrations are just one component of the total vault system.  The vault structure, doors, dampers and cable penetrations must all meet the stringent Class 125 rating (the ability to maintain the temperature below 125-degrees F. even if the exterior temperature reaches 2,000-degrees).  As the old saying goes, ” a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.”  The same is true for data center design.  All components must work together to create a functional and safe environment for mission critical data center operations.

One of the most difficult aspects of server room design is managing the temperature inside this critical area.  As the density of server racks increases and the heat generated by the IT equipment escalates year over year it is no wonder data center designers must consider their cooling options carefully to maintain optimum server room temperatures.

One option we have found to be an excellent solution in high density data centers is the Vette Corporation line of rear door heat exchangers for server racks.  These systems cool the exhaust air from server cabinets before they enter the airspace within the server room by circulating chilled water through the unit.  Because this design utilizes the airflow from the fans in the server equipment there is no power consumption from the cooling units, resulting in significant operating cost savings.

To protect against ambient heat, especially in hotter climates, the R-33 insulation rating of Firelock vaults is a major advantage in maintaining the correct server room climate.  All cooling system penetrations in Firelock server vaults, such as for coolant lines and ducted air, are specially designed and installed to prevent the heat from a fire from damaging or destroying the most critical area of the data center.  And of course the vault structure and doors are capable of maintaining the temperature below 125-degrees F. for at least two hours (up to four hours in larger server vaults) even if the outside temperature reaches 2,000-degrees.  Heat must be held below this critical threshold to protect the IT equipment and the vital information it holds.  After all, mission critical data centers must be protected from all threats–from within and without.

Our dependence on IT operations to keep businesses running and profitable has never been greater.  To prevent costly downtime, and perhaps even save the enterprise entirely, all threats to the data center must be addressed.  One threat that immediately comes to mind for data center planners is a catastrophic fire, which is why fire suppression systems are ubiquitous in mission critical server rooms.  These fire suppression systems are effective for extinguishing fires that start inside of a server room, but are useless when the fire burns its way in from anywhere else in the facility.  In fact, the heat of catastrophic fire will destroy equipment, and the data on that equipment, long before the fire penetrates a typical wall structure.  To truly protect IT infrastructure and information assets a data vault must prevent flames, smoke and heat from penetrating the structure.  That is why Firelock Data Protection Systems has seen increased demand for the server vault application of its fireproof modular data vaults in the past few years.

 Firelock has been building data-rated fireproof vaults for over 20 years, with Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and offsite storage firms among its clients.  Utilizing a modular panel system with a core of ceramic fiber (a high temperature industrial insulating material), double door assemblies, insulated penetrations for cables and coolant lines, and insulated air duct dampers, Firelock builds data vaults with a minimum Class 125-Two Hour rating.  Depending upon the size of the vault, a Class 125-Four Hour rating can be achieved.  This means the temperature inside the vault remains below 125^o F. for the specified period of time with temperatures over 2,000^o F. outside the vault.  Here is a table with the ratings for corresponding vault sizes: 

 Traditionally these Class 125 vaults have been utilized to safeguard magnetic media, such as computer backup tapes.  Countless organizations safeguard their mission critical backup data in Firelock vaults, either in their own facilities or with an offsite storage service provider.  Recent trends in data center design are making Firelock’s server vaults a more and more attractive option for protecting mission critical IT infrastructure. (more…)

In this era of volatile energy prices and constant pressure to reduce operating expenses, data center managers are looking for savings everywhere.  Environmentally-friendly corporate initiatives are also in style these days.  “Green” is in.  Cutting costs without compromising security can be a daunting task, but there is one way fire protection can be improved while reducing power consumption: installing a Firelock Class 125 data vault to protect server rooms and/or data tape archives. 

The fireproof modular vault panels are constructed with a core of ceramic fiber insulation to keep the interior of the vault below 125-degrees F. for two to four hours (depending upon the size of the vault), even if temperatures outside the vault reach 2,000-degrees F.  A beneficial byproduct of the ceramic fiber content in Firelock panels is the R33 insulation rating.  To put this in perspective, the typical rating offered by fiberglass insulation in homes and businesses is R14.

To maintain the optimum climate inside the vault chamber Firelock offers protected penetrations for either ducted air or coolant lines for split systems.  Data centers can also use these ducts to vent the heated air in the “hot aisle” out of the server vault.  This heated air can be circulated throughout the office space to gain even more cost savings on utilities in the winter.

Unsurpassed fire protection and improved energy efficiency is a Win/Win for those responsible for security and operating expenses.  This is one way going Green can save you some green in the long run.

Everyone knows data centers require the proper environment to maintain full operating capacity.  Without enough cooling to keep IT equipment within their specified operating temperatures the equipment will start to slow down, if not shut down completely.  It is also important to protect mission critical IT infrastructure with a data-rated fireproof vault, but how do you achieve both objectives?

Split HVAC unit inside a Class 125 modular server vault

Firelock protects the entry points for the HVAC service with specifically designed and installed components to allow the cooling capacity server rooms require while maintaining the Class 125 fire protection rating.  To qualify for a Class 125 rating all components of the vault must be able to keep the temperature inside the vault below the 125-degrees F. threshold, even if temperatures outside the server vault reach 2,000-degrees F.  This temperature threshold is critical, because this is the point where data can be lost.

For ducted air climate control systems, a three-stage damper assembly is utilized to keep the heat of a catastrophic fire from migrating into the server vault chamber.  Each of the three damper stages uses ceramic fiber insulation on the damper blades, and is held open by a fusible link that melts when exposed to heat (at around 165-degrees F.) and allows the dampers to close.  This damper assembly is encased in a steel housing that is filled with more ceramic fiber insulation to protect against heat exposure at the duct entry point.  These damper assemblies can be utilized in either under-floor applications or through the roof of the server vault, depending upon the design of the climate control system.  Overhead damper assemblies can also be used to remove hot air from the server room.

If a split HVAC system (such as the popular Liebert units) is used to cool the server room, Firelock installs another fireproof component.  The coolant lines between the heat exchanger outside the vault and the air handler inside the vault are protected by an insulated and heat-reactive barrier.  A steel box filled with ceramic fiber insulation is mounted on the outside face of the vault where the coolant lines penetrate into the vault.  The coolant flows through PVC lines (because metal pipes would conduct heat into the vault) and the outside junction of these lines is encased in a housing filled with intumescent caulking.  This fireproof caulking expands when it is heated to seal the entry point of the coolant lines outside the vault.  This is the same type of technology found in nuclear power plants.

These fireproof components can accommodate almost any data center HVAC system.  The coolant line penetrations and damper assemblies can be located wherever they are needed in the server vault, so the climate control system design is not limited by fireproofing requirements.  For optimum operation and protection of data centers, a Class 125 Firelock modular server vault offers the best of both worlds.