Compliance requirements and rising risk standards have raised the stakes for data centre security. Without assurance that facilities can resist disruption and protect data, organisations face increased exposure to audit failure, downtime, and reputational damage.
For executives and auditors, data centre security is part of wider governance and risk management. Oversight means confirming that physical safeguards, environmental systems, and compliance frameworks are in place and can be trusted.
Having a structured checklist gives leadership a clear way to test resilience, regulatory alignment, and continuity of service, whether reviewing an existing facility, preparing for a migration, or assessing a new provider.
Our data centre security checklist highlights the core areas every organisation should be able to evidence.
Robust security begins at the perimeter, where fencing, bollards, and monitored gates form the first line of defence. Internally, access should be segmented by zone, with authentication, for example, card, required for data halls and racks.
Every visitor must be approved and logged, with access only granted to approved zones and racks. In multi-tenant environments, this prevents accidental or intentional cross-access between customers. Deliveries should follow the same controlled approach, with items authorised, logged, and handled by designated staff.
Surveillance should cover entry points, loading bays, and plant rooms. Retention policies matter as much as coverage; 90 days is typical, and access procedures must be defined for incident investigations.
Detection and suppression systems must be designed to protect both people and equipment. Multi-zoned fire detection and inert gas suppression are standard in modern facilities. Early detection systems such as VESDA can provide additional assurance.
Continuity depends on reliable, redundant infrastructure. Data centres should provide dual feeds, UPS systems, and backup generators. Resilience is typically configured at N+1 or 2N, and load testing should be documented.
Environmental threats are as disruptive as security breaches. Sensors should continuously track temperature, humidity, and potential water ingress, with automated alerts for anomalies.
Certification provides assurance that controls are not only in place but audited. ISO 27001 is the baseline, with PCI DSS, SOC 2, or NHS DSPT required in regulated sectors.
Even with strong physical security, outages can occur. Providers should have documented disaster recovery processes, tested failover capabilities, and clear escalation routes.
Migration Checklist: Documentation and Controls
During a migration, physical security remains critical. Controls should include asset tracking, secure transit, restricted access during moves, and chain-of-custody records to prevent gaps in protection.
Executives do not need to audit every system themselves, but they must be able to confirm that appropriate evidence exists. This checklist provides a framework for verifying that a provider’s claims translate into documented, tested controls.
Book a review with us to see how our facilities align with your organisation’s security requirements.