If you have decided the colocation services are the best internet and data service route for your business, you should take the steps to make sure you invest in high levels of security. Of course, the colocation data center you pick should have strict security measures already in place. You need to be familiar with these security measures and increase your own business' security practices in order to make sure your data and your company remain safe from outside threats and frauds. 

Basic Network Security Measures

A colocation company will offer you secure serve access by

  • creating password protected user IDs for each person needing to access your specific data. Each of your employees, for example, would have a login that would be specific to your company. Advanced colocation services may also provide biometric pass codes, like voice recognition. 
  • making sure that a security package is bundled into your payment for basic colocation. This is kind of like adding anti-virus protection to a home laptop, except on a much larger scale. Generally, your colocation company will provide a firewall and IP address protection, as well as antivirus software and protections against malware and spyware.
  • providing security add-ons if you need them. If you decide that you need more security than the basic package, ask your colocation data center about increased firewall protection, content filtering, and tracking the traffic to your websites. 

In the case of network protection, its best to err on paying a little more than to take the risk of having too little. 

Physical Security Measures

Since the hardware for your server will not be in your own building, you might worry about people having access to the building that houses your data collection and servers. Other worries include environmental problems, like floods, power outages, or fires. However, colocation centers will have some good security measures in place for these instances as well, as they will house the servers for many businesses, not just your own. Thee security measures include, but are not limited to

  • keypad entrances where only a select few are able to actually access the hardware and software behind your service.
  • environmental controls to keep machines cool as they run. These should be able to be controlled remotely, so that the temperature never fails at the facility. Alarms may sound if the room becomes too hot or too cold. 
  • fire protection to protect data in the event of electrical fires.
  • back-up generators in case of power shortage or surges. 
  • surveillance cameras in every room and on all entrances to track those who enter and leave and to make sure that everything is working as it should. If you desire, you could request access to the video feeds that are relevant to your company.

Before choosing a data center, you can ask about physical protections. While hackers might be your primary concern, destruction can happen in many ways. If possible, you should also look into having backup disaster recovery, just in case there is a natural disaster. 

Business Security Measures

The responsibility of security does not just lie on your chosen colocation center. It also rests in your hands and in the hands of your employees. In order to keep your company safe from online fraud and hacking, try

  • requiring employees to change passwords frequently.
  • restricting the use of social media while employees are at work.
  • encouraging customers who use your website frequently to clear cookies before use.
  • shredding paper documents that have credit card or social security numbers printed on them.
  • refraining from storing all employee information online.
  • asking customers who subscribe to your website with a password/account to update information regularly and promptly. 

You can keep your business secure by reviewing the security measures at the colocation center you pick for your business. If you are aren't satisfied, talk to your provider about ways that you increase network and physical security measures.  Visit http://colocationnorthwest.com to learn more about colocation options in your area. 

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