Remote Video Surveillance and Monitoring for Data Centes and Server Rooms

How important is it to have video surveillance and data center in the server room and data centers. What kind of features and functionality one needs to be effective in Server rooms and Data Centers.

Summary- Video Surveillance in the Server Room and Data Center is getting Crucial and important with contract workers and also people leaving the jobs. The mission critical data needs to be monitored and protected using multiple methods - video surveillance, sensors and alerts along with real time viewing capability to the administrator anytime, anywhere is important. This can be achieved over any PC and also on the PDA.

Here are experts opinions when it comes to video surveillance, sensors and in general how to protect your server room and your critical data.


William McFarland, PE
Senior Electrical Engineer at Borton-Lawson
I believe that in today constantly changing job market, asset protection from disgruntled employees or contractors is critical. I feel that video records provide a level of deterrence. When coupled with a card reader type system, the employees/contractors know that they are being kept track of while in critical space.

Before a recent outsourcing initiative, I had cameras installed in locations where each EPO location was in view. In the past it would have been easy enough to push-n-run but not with a camera there.

As far as functionality, I would go digital CCTV, record 60 days, and use the motion feature to save disk space.

PS – local authorities would not allow the removal of the EPO's.



Patrick Howard

Data Center Manager at Ann Taylor
We have the luxuray of being secured by our very one Loss Prevention Department, taking us out of the surveillance business, and keeps us on Data Center Initiatives.


William Gross

CEO at The MAI Group
I agree that cameras covering all epo locations is prudent. I have also used a system that puts mag locks on racks, and you need card access to open indivdual racks.

I am sorry but what is EPO/-
also if you can access the location on secured connection when there is a alarm how important is that for the industry? the administrator can access the data center from laptop or PDA.



Keith McGinley

Systems Engineer at APC-MGE
EPO = Emergency Power Off. Simply, the big, red, "ONLY PUSH IN CASE OF EMERGENCY" button that will shut power off to all equipment in the data center.

Functionality - you also may want to have the recorded video have watermarks and time stamping in case you ever have to use it in court.

Mick Ryan

Networks/Information Security Supervisor at Corrections Corporation of America
We have CCTV surveillance on all entrances and exits, as well as down each rack aisle, we average around 170 days of continued footage on our DVRs. Is helpfull if you want to see who may or may not have done something in a row of equipment. We are also beginning to put them at our remote facility MDFs to be able to log in and talk someone who is not an IT person on patching something in or checking the status of equipment.

You can setup your cameras for 25fps when motion is detected and 5-10fps when no activity is detected. Additionally camera systems can be tied into access control systems to activate when a door is opened or closed or when a prox card is used. You can also setup email notifications from your access control to let you know if someone has entered the data center and back it up with video footage.

Our data centers do have prox card access, but the cameras help to identify that the person who's prox card was used to access is the same person the card belongs to, until we implement biometrics for access.

Martin Zuckerman

Owner, Teswaine Inc.
It all depends upon your level of insecurity and paranoia. Dont forget that with a high access floor, someone could creep underneath. So add A/C floor pressure sensors and underfloor cameras with night vison.

All cabinets should have individual locks with keys that can't be copied.

Include facial recognition software to prevent potential saboteurs from disguising themselves as employees.



Tom Colegrove

IT Operations and Project Management Professional
Another aspect to consider is if you have clients or tenants that have security requirements that call for cameras. HIPPA, SOX and banking audits call for cameras in data centers.

See the Blog also at our Surveillance and Security Network www.gobeyondsecurity.com