How does colocation security work in a shared data centre?

Q: Is colocation secure if I'm sharing a facility with other businesses?

A: Yes, when the facility is designed for it. Security in a shared environment depends on physical separation between tenants, cages, private suites or locked racks, alongside access controls that ensure one customer's staff or contractors can never reach another customer's equipment. Shared infrastructure like power and cooling doesn't mean shared access.

Q: How is my equipment kept separate from other tenants?

A: Through physical segregation and controlled access. A shared rack still locks each customer's section separately; a private cage or suite adds a further physical boundary around an entire footprint, see our server colocation FAQ for how these service levels compare. Access logs and permissions are typically set per tenant, so only your authorised personnel can reach your specific space, regardless of who else is in the building.

Q: Who's responsible for security in a colocation arrangement, the provider or the customer?

A: It's split. The provider secures the building: perimeter, access control, power, cooling and physical monitoring. You remain responsible for your own hardware, its configuration, and any software or network security running on it. One of the most overlooked data centre security best practices is getting this split written into the contract before signing, especially for shared spaces like loading bays or maintenance access routes.

Q: What should I ask a colocation provider about their security?

A: Ask how tenant spaces are physically separated, who can access shared areas of the facility and under what conditions, how visitor and contractor access is logged, and what happens if a security incident affects another tenant nearby. The strongest data centre security solutions combine physical separation with logged, auditable access, not trust alone. Ask for evidence of certifications like ISO 27001, not a general assurance, and confirm whether CCTV coverage extends to the specific areas your equipment sits in. Our colocation provider FAQ covers the wider evaluation criteria beyond security specifically.

Q: Does a higher-security colocation tier cost more?

A: Generally, yes: a private suite with dedicated access typically costs more than a shared rack, since it requires more physical space and often additional access infrastructure. The right level depends on your risk profile, regulated data usually justifies the extra separation, while lower-sensitivity workloads may not need it.

Q: What physical security features should a high-security data centre have?

A: Look for layered controls: perimeter fencing, manned security, biometric or card-based entry at multiple stages, mantraps, and CCTV covering entry points and internal corridors as well as the perimeter itself. In a colocation context, also check that these controls extend down to the tenant level, not only the building's front door.

Q: How does incident response work if a security issue affects a shared facility?

A: A well-run provider should notify all affected tenants promptly, contain the issue without requiring you to intervene, and give a clear account of what happened and what it means for your equipment specifically. This is where dedicated data centre security services, monitoring, logging and a documented response plan, earn their keep. Ask providers how they've handled past incidents and what your contract commits them to, before you need to find out during a real one.

Considering colocation but concerned about shared-facility security? Speak to our team about tenant separation and access controls across our UK data centres.