Your systems integrator should conduct training sessions to thoroughly teach your campus how to operate the security system. The more your system users feel comfortable with the security system you installed, the better life is for them and you. They will feel confident in their abilities to effectively operate the system.
Systems integrators can also train upper management and hold security officer training classes. They can provide a forum for questions and open communication.
Your campus shoul have written policies and procedures and stick to them. Employees need to understand the sensitivity, and security procedures must be followed to ensure the data center is properly protected. Some security software features provide an enhanced module to assist with this.
Choose a security system that provides a cost-effective upgrade path. Security systems are installed today and expanded upon tomorrow. Whether it is adding doors, cameras or monitoring points, systems rarely remain stagnant. Plan for this and choose a system that will easily expand. It’s worth the extra upfront time to investigate all product options, and the added cost of an easily expandable security system is worth it. Your campus will save money (and headaches) in the long run.
Don’t forget a security system needs maintenance. Many manufacturers offer a professional services program to assist campuses with planning, support and maintenance. While there is an initial cost to take advantage of these programs, the benefits far outweigh the costs. They include fault-tolerant implementation, top-level technical suppor
t, custom scripting, and lifecycle management to ensure you experience maximum performance and return on investment for your security systems. Due to the criticality of a data center, investing in professional services may eliminate expensive surprises because you planned for them.
To sum up, plan your data center security as another business-critical system. Implement a layered approach to security and install systems that work for the specific environment. Take the time to find products that will grow with the campus, and expand to support additional business applications. Doing the work upfront will save time, money and headaches later.
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Kim Rahfaldt is Public Relations Manager for AMAG Technology. She can be reached at [email protected].
