FEATURE
As the Internet evolved in the 1980s , Telehouse was busy building the infrastructure to support booming network operations . In 1989 , the company built the first-ever American data centre in Staten Island , New York , US . Since then , Telehouse has expanded to over 40 state-of-theart data centres worldwide , offering over 4 million sqft . of colocation space to thousands of customers . Beyond the 162,000 sqft . flagship data centre in Staten Island , Telehouse America also offers colocation centres in downtown New York and Los Angeles .
Moving away from outdated systems and processes
Security has always been mission-critical for Telehouse . The security team has consistently monitored video surveillance and access control systems 24 / 7 at each site to ensure customer data remains fully secured and protected . The problem in the past was that the video and access control solutions weren ’ t connected . Security operators would move between applications , trying to piece information together during investigations .
Only having access to basic system functionality created other challenges . The security team couldn ’ t modernise their visitor management processes or add newer biometrics , intercom , or perimeter technologies to enhance site security . The systems were simply too old to accommodate new integrations and expansions .
Over time , these limitations began straining resources . Visiting technicians needed to be escorted to servers to ensure compliance , taking Telehouse staff away from other jobs . The Telehouse team also logged when visitors were issued server keys using pen and paper . As audit requests came in , compiling information became difficult and time-consuming .
As the systems neared the end of product life cycles , the data centre company was ready for a major security upgrade . According to Milad Abdelmessih , Senior Director for HR and Corporate Division at Telehouse : “ We wanted a unified and modern security solution that could accommodate the latest technologies . Our plan was to create layers of security at each site using select technologies , and automate some of our processes for checking-in and managing visitors . This would help our team work more efficiently in securing our sites and in keeping detailed audit trails .”
While the Genetec Security Center unified platform met key criteria , conversations with the Genetec team firmed up Telehouse ’ s decision . “ We wanted to partner with a company that would be responsive and value us as a customer . When we spoke to the Genetec team , they diligently answered our questions and provided lots of details , so we felt confident that we were choosing the right solution and a company that would support our security objectives ,” said Abdelmessih .
Unifying security makes investigations easier
Across both the Staten Island and Manhattan locations , the security teams monitor a total of 400 cameras and 400 doors using both the Omnicast video surveillance system and the Synergis access control system of Security Center . Since installing Security Center , Telehouse has strengthened security in big ways .
From maintenance closets to server racks , every single door in the data centre now has an access control reader . The security team works from the map-based interface , Plan Manager , to quickly handle alarms and locate cameras .
“ Investigations have been simplified with the use of Security Center . In the past , we had to pull up blueprints and maps to see which cameras were associated with a door . Using the map-based interface , we can quickly find doors and nearby cameras and see everything happening around them ,” said Abdelmessih .
The security team also benefitted from the platform ’ s open architecture , adding a MAGOS radar perimeter detection system to spot potential threats at the property line . “ We ’ ve created a virtual fence around our sites . Now , if someone tries to cross our property boundaries , we ’ ll know right away ,” said Abdelmessih .
An intercom system further re-enforces security . Through the built-in Sipelia intercom module within Security Center , operators can now quickly initiate a twoway call if someone buzzes an intercom device at the front door or shipping docks . Live video automatically comes up on the monitor , so operators can also identify visitors or cardholders before choosing to grant or deny them access .
Streamlining visitor management with Genetec Clear ID
Within each facility , Telehouse has completely modernised the visitor management process . Not only did the security team install BioConnect fingerprint and facial recognition and Deister key management technologies , it also implemented Genetec ClearID . This physical identity and access management module allows Telehouse to automate visitor requests while keeping detailed audit trails of each visit . While some aspects of the application are still being finalised , Telehouse is keen to launch this upgrade and streamline its operations .
“ We wanted our customers to be able to dictate where and when their technicians or vendors would go . Before , they would ask us to escort their vendors which took up a lot of our time . By setting up this new visitor management process using ClearID and other critical technologies , we can lessen our team ’ s workload , while ensuring the highest levels of security ,” said Abdelmessih .
Soon , a Telehouse customer will be able to log into the ClearID portal and submit all relevant details to request access to the site and server . Details include the technician ’ s name and contact information , the date of the visit , the reason for the visit and other information . That request is sent to the network operations centre where an operator will review the information and accept or deny the request .
Once approved , the visitor will receive a QR code via email . When they arrive on site , a receptionist will scan their QR code and assign the visitor a temporary badge . www . intelligentdatacentres . com
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