Considerations for Physical Security Review of Outsourced Data Centers

A.

When conducting a physical security review of a potential outsourced data center, the most important consideration for an information security manager should be the environmental factors of the surrounding location.

Environmental factors such as the natural disaster risks, the crime rate in the area, and the political stability of the region can all have a significant impact on the security of the data center. For example, if the data center is located in an area with a high risk of flooding, earthquakes, or hurricanes, it may be more susceptible to physical damage or power outages, which could compromise the availability of the data center and the security of the data stored within it.

Similarly, if the data center is located in an area with a high crime rate, it may be more vulnerable to theft, vandalism, or sabotage, which could compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the data. Finally, if the data center is located in an area with political instability or civil unrest, it may be more vulnerable to cyber attacks or physical breaches by hostile actors.

Proximity to law enforcement, availability of network circuit connections, and distance from the corporate office are all important considerations for a physical security review, but they are not as critical as the environmental factors of the surrounding location. For example, while proximity to law enforcement can be helpful in case of an emergency, it is not a guarantee of security, and may not be as relevant if the data center is located in an area with high crime rates or political instability. Similarly, while availability of network circuit connections and distance from the corporate office can affect the performance and efficiency of the data center, they are not as important as ensuring the physical security of the data center itself.

In summary, when conducting a physical security review of a potential outsourced data center, the information security manager should prioritize the evaluation of the environmental factors of the surrounding location, in order to ensure the safety and security of the data center and the data stored within it.