How to Choose the Best Orange County Data Center for Your Business

Choosing a new data center is a major decision for any business. With that in mind, here is a straightforward guide on how to select the best Orange County data center for your business.

Factors to consider when choosing a data center

Here are five key factors to consider when choosing a data center.

Location: The physical location of a data center impacts latency, disaster risk, and regulatory compliance. It should be close enough to your business for easy access but far enough from high-risk areas prone to natural disasters, such as floods, earthquakes, or hurricanes. Additionally, consider the geopolitical stability and local regulations affecting data storage and transmission.

Security: Both physical and cybersecurity measures are crucial. A data center should have strict access controls, such as biometric authentication, 24/7 surveillance, and armed security personnel. On the cybersecurity front, it must offer advanced firewalls, DDoS protection, and encryption protocols to safeguard data from cyber threats, including ransomware attacks.

Reliability: Look for a facility with a high uptime rating, ideally 99.99% or higher, backed by redundant power supplies, cooling systems, and network connectivity. Certifications like Tier III or Tier IV from the Uptime Institute indicate robust infrastructure for minimizing downtime.

Scalability and flexibility: As your business grows, so will your data needs. A data center should offer scalable solutions, including additional storage, computing power, and connectivity options. Flexible contracts and customizable services help align with evolving business demands.

Certifications: Ensure the data center meets both cross-industry standards, such as ISO 27001 (information security) and relevant industry-specific standards. This ensures that the facility follows best practices for data protection, reducing regulatory and legal risks.

How to evaluate data center providers

When choosing an Orange County data center, it’s vital to compare options robustly but fairly. Following this five-step process will help.

Define business needs: Identify key requirements such as storage capacity, security, compliance, scalability, and budget. Consider factors like redundancy, network performance, and geographic location. Establish measurable criteria for evaluation, ensuring alignment with business objectives.

Research and shortlist providers: Conduct market research to identify reputable data center providers that meet your criteria. Use online reviews, industry reports, and recommendations to create a shortlist. Evaluate certifications (e.g., Tier III/Tier IV, ISO 27001, SOC 2) and case studies to assess their reliability and expertise.

Assess security, compliance, and performance: Evaluate each provider’s physical security (e.g., biometric access, 24/7 monitoring), cybersecurity measures (e.g., firewalls, intrusion detection), and disaster recovery capabilities. Review their compliance with industry regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS. Check historical uptime records and redundancy measures to ensure reliability.

Request proposals and conduct site visits: Request detailed proposals from shortlisted providers, including pricing, service level agreements (SLAs), and scalability options. Conduct on-site visits to inspect infrastructure, meet key personnel, and assess operational practices. Compare energy efficiency, cooling systems, and sustainability initiatives.

Compare, score, and decide: Use a weighted scoring system based on predefined criteria to objectively compare providers. Consider factors like cost-effectiveness, security, support responsiveness, and future expansion capabilities. Engage stakeholders before making a final decision and negotiate contract terms to ensure long-term business alignment.

Top data centers in Orange County

DataBank has two Orange County sites. Together, these facilities provide a wide spectrum of flexible solutions, making them solid choices for enterprise, cloud, or hybrid infrastructure deployments in Southern California. In particular, SNA 1 offers edge-style access and connectivity. SNA2 offers high-density, scalable infrastructure.

Here is a brief overview of DataBank’s Orange County data centers, SNA1 and SNA2, and what, specifically, they can deliver.

SNA1

Located at 17222 Von Karman Avenue in Irvine, SNA1 offers approximately 36,720 sq ft of raised-floor space with around 2.64 MW of critical IT load capacity.

The facility is designed with an N+1 power redundancy model, supports multiple carriers onsite, and has rich connectivity options for cloud, peering, and cross-connects. It also features robust security (dual-factor biometrics, CCTV, 24/7 staffing) and supports key compliance programs including HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and SOC 2.

SNA1 is well-suited for organizations looking for a high-performance colocation/interconnection hub close to the Los Angeles / Orange County technology corridor with moderate power density and strong network access.

SNA2

Just half a mile away at 17400 Von Karman Avenue, SNA2 offers roughly 57,700 sq ft and ~8 MW of capacity. It features a 2N power design and N+1 cooling. This makes it suitable for higher-density workloads and more demanding IT infrastructure.

Like SNA1, it is carrier-neutral and located in a dense fiber-rich region, offering strong interconnectivity and optimized for organizations requiring higher scale and power.

SNA2 is an excellent option for larger workloads, expansion-ready infrastructure, or more intensive compute, storage, or interconnection needs.