What Is a Data Center Security Mantrap?

A lot goes into a data center (generally speaking), and there is a lot that goes into just data center security.

One of the critical components of data center security is the mantrap, a smaller room usually with two different doors.

One of these doors leads to the unsecured area, and the other leads to the secured area. Because of all the sensitive and proprietary information stored inside a data center, virtual security and physical security are essential.

Mantraps are a vital part of a data center’s physical security.

What Are the Different Layers of Physical Data Center Security?

Datacenter security is a robust system with multiple layers just with physical security. The first is perimeter security, including video surveillance, vehicle barriers, and site hardening, which helps protect against catastrophes.

Data centers are usually reinforced with concrete to protect against tornadoes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters.

The physical data center security layer is the facility controls, consisting of mantraps and more video surveillance and recording, access controls and authorization accessing, and credential checks.

The next layer is the computer room controls. Access to this part of the data center is even more restricted. And the last layer is the cabinet controls.

What Is a Mantrap?

As mentioned earlier, a trap is a specially designed room between the unsecured public area and the secure private area where all sensitive information is stored. But a mantrap is more than a room to control access.

It’s designed so that no one can follow an authorized person into a restricted area. Once the authorized person is inside the mantrap, further permission is needed before entering the private site.

A mantrap makes it near impossible for someone to sneak up behind authorized personnel into secure locations within the data center.

What Are the Major Types of Mantraps?

There are two main types of mantraps. The first type of mantrap is an airlock control, a lower security system used only for environmental management. The next is the restricted entry and exit.

This is higher-level security. There is also a version of the mantrap that requires personnel and users to request permission on entry and request permission to leave restricted areas and mantraps.

What Are the Benefits and Disadvantages of a Mantrap?

Physical security is vital to the safety and security of data center operations. There are a couple of benefits of a data center mantrap that should be discussed. Mantraps only allow one person to enter at a time.

It requires everyone entering to have the proper identification and authentication, providing better overall security. A mantrap restricts the overall movement into and out of the data center, making it easier to control the data center's security.

If there were to be a breach of some sort, a mantrap could be used to detain unauthorized people until the authorities arrive. Lastly, a mantrap also provides an audit trail for personnel visitors if needed.

Data centers store a high volume of sensitive information. Making sure this data is taken care of and protected is crucial. Having a trail of visitors can protect the data center managers from problems in the future.

Datacenter mantraps are beneficial in many ways, but some disadvantages should be mentioned. If you are currently building a new data center, mantraps can be expensive. Highly secure doors are costly.

It will be an investment to make a mantrap using the best high-security doors. Mantrap doors are smaller than double doors and, more often than not, are smaller than regular-sized doors to prevent multiple people from entering or unauthorized people from sneaking inside. This also can be a problem when it comes to moving equipment, large boxes, or things of this nature.

Mantraps and their doors have the possibility of failing during a power outage. This is where other parts of data center operations and security come into play. Having proper backup power is crucial for many different reasons, but specifically in this case.

Lastly, there are safety risks if not implemented properly.

How to Implement a Data Center Mantrap?

Protecting data centers and the data stored within them is more than just firewalls and digital security—the rings of security that must be considered when securing a data center.

Entering and leaving the building should be secure. 360-degree cameras covering the entire perimeter of the building are required. Biometric scanners and security guards should also be implemented where it’s necessary.

The next part of security is where the mantrap comes into play. Before entering the mantrap and entering the protected part of the data center, security guards will need to check if you are authorized to go further.

Once users are identified and allowed access, they will then enter the colocation white space. This is where the cabinets and servers are all located. Once users are inside the colocation white space, a final authorization is required to access the servers' cabinet.

Depending on the data center, this can be done by crucial access or maybe even an additional layer of access codes and biometrics.

Once users are ready to leave the colocation room where their cabinets and servers are located, they will need to go through the mantrap to go back outside.

Security will then make sure everything is okay before letting them out.

Conclusion

Datacenter managers take their jobs seriously. The world revolves around the data that is produced and stored inside of these data centers.

The data center mantrap is just another vital part of what makes data center operations incredibly secure.

While data center mantraps can be incontinent when bringing in large equipment and shipments, it is necessary and will continue to be a part of what protects your important data.