Low Humidity Levels in Data Centers: Potential Risks and Mitigation Strategies

The Impact of Low Humidity on Data Center Environments

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Question

In a data center audit, an IS auditor finds that the humidity level is very low.

The IS auditor would be MOST concerned because of an expected increase in:

Answers

Explanations

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A. B. C. D.

C.

The correct answer is C. static electricity problems.

Explanation: A data center is a critical asset for any organization that contains sensitive and valuable information. Data centers require specific environmental conditions to ensure proper operation and protection of equipment. One of the most critical environmental conditions is the humidity level.

Low humidity levels in data centers can cause static electricity problems, which can damage electronic equipment and disrupt operations. When the humidity level drops below the recommended level, static electricity builds up on surfaces and can cause equipment failures, including hard drives, servers, and network devices. This can lead to system downtime, data loss, and higher costs to repair or replace equipment.

Employee discomfort (A) is not a significant concern in a data center because it is usually a controlled environment where the temperature and humidity are maintained at optimal levels to prevent discomfort.

The risk of fire (B) is typically associated with high humidity levels, as it can cause condensation and electrical short circuits. In this case, the IS auditor has found that the humidity level is very low, which reduces the risk of fire.

Backup tape failures (D) are not directly related to humidity levels in a data center. However, backup tapes can be affected by extreme temperatures, high humidity, and other environmental factors. Therefore, it is essential to store backup tapes in a controlled environment with appropriate temperature and humidity levels.

In conclusion, the IS auditor would be most concerned about static electricity problems (C) due to the low humidity levels in the data center.