Firelock - Fireproof Data Storage

A recently released study conducted by Verizon Business and the United States Secret Service shows that despite all the countermeasures applied to prevent data breaches, the problem is still wide-spread and costly.  The majority of the information lost was due to the concentrated efforts of criminal organizations.  These criminals utilize a variety of methods to acquire financial and other personal information, then sell this information on the black market for stolen identities, credit card numbers and banking information.

In some areas the study found that data theft had decreased from the previous study period, but this is probably due to the over abundance of credit card numbers and other information that has created a glut in the market.  The supply has outpaced demand to the extent that the price for such information has dropped below the point where it is profitable to steal more.  This is hardly good news for consumers.

This study underscores how critical it is for organizations to maintain control over their mission critical information.  Having a safe environment in which to operate IT equipment and store backup media is a major component in this equation.  That is where a Class 125 data vault can give security-conscious organizations an advantage.  These vaults are capable of protecting against catastrophic fires, stabilizing the interior climate, and improving physical security.  This secure environment combined with a well designed and implemented cybersecurity program mitigates the risk of data theft and loss.

For more information on the Verizon/Secret Service study, here is the link to the original article: http://newscenter.verizon.com/press-releases/verizon/2010/2010-data-breach-report-from.html

Over the past 25 years Firelock has built over 1500 modular fireproof vaults to protect data backup tapes, micrographic media, IT equipment and other heat-sensitive assets.  In that time very few of these vaults have had the same dimensions as previously installed vaults.  Each vault is custom-sized to fit in an existing room or to provide for the client’s exact interior space requirements.  When length, width and height is easily customized it creates an almost infinite number of  vault size permutations.  This is why it is easy for Firelock to customize the Secure Agile Vault Environment (SAVE) units for each customer’s needs.

Of course building inside a shipping container limits the vault dimensions to some degree, but containers can be had in multiple sizes and the length of the vault can be customized.  The standard SAVE unit is constructed with a 40-foot shipping container and allocates space for a vestibule in front of the vault and a mechanical room behind it.  It also includes eight server racks, an overhead cable management system, internal fire suppression, Vette’s LiquiCool Rear Door Heat Exchanger system and the HVAC equipment to support it.  The SAVE unit can be delivered with all of these components, some of these components, or with just the vault itself.  It’s all up to the customer.  For clients who just need a secure storage environment for other heat-sensitive assets in a portable package, SAVE units can be customized for their exact needs.

If the water chiller and support systems are not needed inside the SAVE unit, the mechanical room can be eliminated and the vault can be expanded into that area.  If the unit will always be operated in an indoor space, such as a warehouse, and weather protection and improved physical security is not required then the vestibule area can be eliminated.  If more space is needed outside the vault for an office area, the vault can also be made smaller to accomodate this requirement.

With a history of customizing fireproof vaults to fit each individual customer’s needs, Firelock is able to do the same for the SAVE solution.  Just as it is with all Firelock vaults–it’s all about the customer.

Many of the major server equipment manufacturers have recently been marketing the concept of a “data center in a box,” which is a shipping container filled with their IT equipment to create easily transportable data center modules.  This concept does have some advantages over traditional data center facilities, such as mobility, scalability and compact size.  However, these high-density modules are very much at risk of being damaged or destroyed by fire, intrusion or even adverse weather conditions.

To address these threats, Firelock has created the Secure Agile Vault Environment, or SAVE solution.  By using a 40-foot shipping container and installing a Class 125 data vault a much more secure environment is provided for mission critical systems.  The vault ensures that IT equipment will be kept safe even if exposed to the heat of a catastrophic fire.  Physical security is also greatly improved with the double door assembly.  The vestibule area in the front of the container allows the container to be sealed before opening the vault doors, so even the worst weather conditions are not a threat to the valuable servers.  The on-board mechanical room behind the vault contains the HVAC system, so only power and network communications need to be supplied to the SAVE unit.

Firelock has taken a vendor-neutral approach to the mobile data center module concept.  Eight standard server racks are in place and ready for any hardware manufacturer’s equipment.  To cool these racks the Vette LiquiCool Rear Door Heat Exchanger system is utilized.  This efficient and compact cooling system uses the airflow from the server units so no power needs to be supplied to these economical and maintenance-free units.

For more details about the SAVE by Firelock, click here for an illustrated presentation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFQ9bOuQub4

Anyone familiar with Firelock’s vaults knows the primary value of the investment is unsurpassed fire protection, with the ability to keep the interior of the vault below critical temperature thresholds even if the fire reaches 2,000-degrees.  A beneficial by-product of the design that isn’t as well known is the added physical security–keeping intruders out of the vault chamber–that a Firelock vault provides. 

The panels that comprise the walls and roof are not specifically designed to keep people out, but it would take considerable time to hack or cut through them to gain entry into the vault.  If a motion detector or other intrusion detection device is installed outside the vault, then the time it takes to penetrate the vault structure gives security personnel or police more time to stop the bad guys.

The doors are also an excellent security measure.  The outer door (which is the only door needed in document vaults) is an 1,100-pound fire door with a combination lock.  When the door closes it automatically throws 10 steel bolts into the locked position in the steel door frame.  This would be a very difficult door to open without the combination.  On Class 125 data vaults double door assembly is needed to achieve this stringent fire rating, so this is another barrier to unauthorized entry.  The inner door is a steel door with a conventional door handle and lock that is often converted to a magnetic lock that can be activated by swipe cards or biometric access control systems.  These electronic lock systems are ideal for controlling access to the critical vault area during business hours and keeping track of authorized personnels’ entry and exit times.

Data security is more important than ever due to the incredible volume of data that can be stored on a single data tape or hard drive.  Server equipment is also very valuable and can be resold by thieves, even if they don’t access the information on the components.  By storing these mission critical assets in a Firelock vault the physical security part of the data protection equation is increased substantially–at no additional cost.