The pressure on data center managers to improve their security practices and cut costs is stronger than ever. As cyberattacks become more and more sophisticated and the world economy continues to evolve, boosting your data security while cutting costs becomes paramount. Here are our top suggestions on how to boost security and cut costs in the data center.
Turn up the Temperature
If you are like most people, you probably assume that data centers are freezing cold and envision workers walking around in heavy coats. A lot of internet resources continue to state that data centers should have a temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit or less. However, many managers have begun raising room temperatures to cut operating costs.
Keeping a data center too cold wastes energy and runs the risk of creating condensation on the equipment. However, you should always make sure that your data center can support an increase in temperature before making any permanent changes.
Perform Condition-Based Maintenance
As data center technology continues to improve, it is important for managers to adopt new practices when needed. For example, implementing a condition-based maintenance program with predictive analysis monitoring can lower labor costs and reduce the number of security breaches that occur.
With a condition-based maintenance program, your technicians are only performing maintenance services when the data suggests it. This would lower labor costs and reduce unplanned downtime versus relying solely on preventative maintenance.
In addition to lowering labor costs, a condition-based maintenance program will notify you of any potential security breaches earlier on in the process. This will help you avoid data center failures that can upend your digital infrastructure.
Weatherproof Your Data Center
Another example of how to boost security and cut costs in the data center revolves around weatherproofing your facility’s infrastructure. Whether you have a major power outage at your data center or are in the middle of a flash flood emergency, it is your job as a data center manager to prepare for all contingencies and protect your data center during severe weather.
It is essential to audit your data center infrastructure and invest in the most up-to-date equipment possible. Doing so will help you save money on any potential repair and replacement costs that arise because of bad weather, and it gives your team the tools they need to achieve optimal performance and security.
As a data center manager, it is no longer enough for you to maintain the status quo. You must improve your data center’s security protocols and cut costs simultaneously. It is possible for you to achieve a sustainable security system while maximizing your profitability—the two do not have to be mutually exclusive.
