Acens digitizes the physical security of its data centers with the help of Telefónica

Hand in hand with TIS, acens has strengthened access control to its more than 17.500 servers with contactless technology and biometrics. An implemented solution that has 12 layers of security to protect your critical infrastructure.

Acens, Part of Telefónica Tech, has undertaken in collaboration with Telefónica Ingeniería de Soluciones (Tis) a physical security upgrade project for your data centers. In addition to a more modern and functional design of the Cpd, the technology has implemented a new video surveillance system, access control and IP communication incorporating contactless technology and biometrics.

The company currently manages 350.000 domains and more than one million customer email accounts, and hosts 150.000 websites on their 17.500 servers that occupy 18 Storage PB.

"At acens we have faced a remodeling of our data center and implemented physical security improvements in three environments.: the closed circuit of video surveillance cameras (Cctv), the access control system and the intercom system, that have migrated from an analog environment to IP technology", Explains Fernando Serrano, Responsible for Corporate Security of acens.

In addition, the facilities have been remodeled. Specifically the operations center, networking and security (CORSS) has more lighting and twice as many videowalls. In this space, own and customer equipment is monitored, acting highly qualified personnel in case of alarm or degradation of the service (24×7).

Collaboration between TIS, Telefónica Group company in comprehensive security, and acens, pioneer in the development of cloud solutions for small and medium-sized businesses, highlights the collaboration between the different components of Telefónica Tech, lending its support and impetus to the process of transformation and security of critical infrastructures.

"From TIS we have actively collaborated in the modernization process undertaken by acens, updating the main security and protection systems of this critical infrastructure. The digitization of all existing CCTV systems, access control and intercom adds new functionalities to these systems and allows a much more efficient treatment of information, improving the scalability of systems and centralizing decision-making in the face of security events", explains Fernando Alba, Pre-sales engineering manager at Telefónica Ingeniería de Seguridad (Tis).

Twelve layers of security

As a result of this collaboration, acens' critical infrastructure is protected with 12 layers of security

Perimeter security of the facilities: A fenced environment with an IP video surveillance system instead of analog that allows better control with higher image quality and image analysis.

Single point-of-entry control: Data center areas do not have direct access to the outside. The entry point to the building is unique, with lathes and access cards to monitor the entry and exit of staff and equipment.

Contactless biometric access control for restricted areas: 'Contactless' Biometrics (Contactless) based on facial recognition for faster access to restricted areas, safe and reliable, than the one used so far based on hand geometry.

IP intercom system: Securing communication with the control room with an IP intercom system, that provides direct communication, Sure, fast and fluid with the control room to cover the different areas and users in everyday situations or emergency and contingency.

Armoured room: It is a reinforced cabin with stricter security measures for the storage of highly confidential or sensitive material. In addition, here are located the fireproof cabinets compatible with the storage of magnetic data support.

Power supply: UPSs allow switching between mains power and group power, no power outage, and have an autonomy of some 15 Minutes. The power supply comes in a ring with two accesses to the grid; there are three transformation centers in configuration 2+1 for a total of 4 Mw. In addition, the farm with three generator sets (also in configuration 2+1, 2.000 kVA each) allows to maintain the supply in case of breakdown in the electricity supply.

Fire defenses: The data processing center has the most complete security and air conditioning measures, as smoke detectors, fire-resistant RF doors and automatic extinguishing system with argon output (a breathable agent with zero environmental impact).

Monitoring 24×7: To guarantee operability and as a preventive control, in the operations center (NOC) through a large videowall, own and customer equipment is monitored, acting highly qualified personnel in case of alarm or incident (24x7x365). In addition, the building management system (Bms) centralizes all data on the situation and status of the building infrastructure and receives and processes possible alarms.

Thunderstorms: Faraday's roof cage protects electronic equipment by providing lightning invisibility in the event of a thunderstorm (electric shocks are not attracted to this cage), while inside the building static electricity loads are avoided by a raised technical floor, which allows a free height above the ground of 45 cm and that supports up to 1.500 kg/m² of load with grounded support columns to the full extent.

Redundant systems in optimized spaces: The design of the data center foresees the optimization of both physical spaces (rack equipment allows a high density of equipment per unit of space) as through virtualization, in addition to the deployment of redundant systems with multi-TB capacity, implementing RAID 4 to avoid data loss in the event of physical failure of a disk, making it easy to perform backup (snapshots, tape...) and the recovery of stored data immediately.

Microclimate guaranteed: The heat that the equipment gives off forces to create a microclimate within the data center to guarantee the correct functioning of the equipment. In this way an autonomous air conditioning equipment continuously controls the temperature and humidity levels.

At full speed: The acens backbone is a multi-service network based on innovative technologies with multicast IP protocols, BGP4 and MPLS. A fiber optic ring of 10 Gbps that offers additional guarantees of service availability, more efficient backup options, instant recovery in case of eventual falls and great flexibility in design, configuration and contracting of tailor-made services.

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