How Secure Are Chicago Data Centers? A Guide to Security Features

Ensuring robust data center security has to be a top priority for all businesses. It is likely to be a regulatory and legal requirement as well as an ethical and practical one. With that in mind, here is a guide to the security of Chicago data centers and the security features they offer.

How to evaluate data center security

Following these 7 steps will ensure that you evaluate data center security robustly but fairly.

Assess physical security measures

Begin by evaluating the physical security controls in place. These include perimeter fencing, surveillance cameras, security personnel, access control systems (e.g., biometric scanners or keycards), and secure entry points. Consider whether the location is protected against natural disasters and unauthorized access.

Review access controls

Verify that strong identity and access management (IAM) policies are enforced. Evaluate how users, administrators, and third parties gain access to systems and data. Least privilege access, role-based access control (RBAC), and regular access reviews are essential.

Evaluate network security

Inspect firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), segmentation, and traffic monitoring. Determine how the data center defends against external threats, internal breaches, and data exfiltration.

Check data protection

Assess how data is encrypted at rest and in transit. Review backup policies, storage security, and the use of technologies like tokenization and secure key management to protect sensitive data.

Audit compliance and policies

Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, ISO 27001). Evaluate the presence and enforcement of security policies, incident response plans, and disaster recovery protocols.

Test resilience

Examine power supply backups, HVAC systems, and failover capabilities. Assess how the facility handles outages and maintains uptime (e.g., N+1 redundancy).

Conduct regular security audits and penetration tests

Schedule routine assessments and third-party penetration tests to uncover vulnerabilities and validate the effectiveness of security measures.

Security features to look for in data centers

Here are the five most important security features to look for in data centers.

Perimeter security

A data center’s perimeter is its first line of defense against all physical threats. This means all data centers need strong perimeter barriers with suitable access points. These need to be reinforced with continuous monitoring (by CCTV and patrols). For the monitoring to be effective, there needs to be sufficient, reliable lighting.

Access control systems

Logical and physical access should be tightly controlled. In addition to granular access controls, data centers need to have robust user authentication mechanisms. They should also have automated systems for logging the use of access rights.

Redundant infrastructure

Key systems experiencing unplanned downtime can leave data centers exposed to attack by malicious actors. Having redundant power, cooling, and networking infrastructure minimizes this risk.

Environmental monitoring

Environmental monitoring not only helps to keep equipment in optimal condition but also helps alert data center staff to unusual activity that may be a sign of malicious action.

Network security

Data centers can be attacked from literally anywhere in the world. This means they need an array of network defenses, including firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPSs), encryption, and continuous monitoring systems.

Physical and cybersecurity in Chicago

The general rules of physical and cybersecurity are the same for Chicago as for all other locations. There are, however, some particular local considerations for physical security. Here is an overview of the five main ones.

Building security

Reputable Chicago data centers are built to withstand the risks of the Chicago area. In practical terms, these are extreme temperatures, heavy snow, and high winds (including tornadoes). Many Chicago data centers are built partly (or totally) underground for additional physical security.

Perimeter security

In downtown Chicago, data centers typically have to balance the need to implement robust perimeter security with the need to use their available space astutely. This can necessitate the use of space-saving access points such as sliding gates, rise-and-fall barriers, and turnstiles. Data centers in the suburbs often have more space at their disposal, but this means they have more space to protect.

Advanced access controls

Because Chicago is both large and densely populated, Chicago data centers have to pay special attention to access control and its corollary, user authentication. You can expect them to have the ability to control access at a very granular level. This will be combined with cutting-edge authentication protocols, including biometrics.

Environmental monitoring tailored to local conditions

Data centers monitor snow load on roofs, humidity levels due to variable Midwest weather, and potential flooding. This is particularly important near the Chicago River or Lake Michigan. Data center managers in the Chicago area will also pay close attention to tornado warnings.

Proximity to critical infrastructure

Chicago is both a telecommunications hub and a city with an excellent power grid. This means that Chicago data centers often have direct access to high-speed network backbones and multiple power substations. It is, however, up to individual data center managers to make the most of the opportunities this situation offers.