Good Fences Make Good Neighbors: How To Protect A Data Center In A Fast-Developing Community

They say Virginia is for lovers, but for some, Virginia is for data centers, too.

The state is home to the most data centers anywhere — 575 at last count —  with a particular concentration north of Washington Dulles International Airport in Loudoun County. 

Virginia is also one of the most densely populated states, meaning that these facilities can be located close to other types of developments or busy transportation corridors. This can raise security concerns that didn’t exist 20 years ago when the state was in the early days of earning the nickname Data Center Alley.  

“Northern Virginia today faces unique challenges due to its density of hyperscale and government-related data centers, proximity to Washington, D.C., and increased public visibility,” said Teresa Giralt, a data center security expert for Ameristar Perimeter Security. “This creates a higher target profile, particularly for hostile vehicle and cyber-physical attacks.” 

And it’s not just bad actors threatening data centers. Increasingly, the facilities need to protect themselves from incursions by protesters, homeless people or local residents who might happen to wander onto the property.

“We're seeing data centers pop up around car lots and shopping centers, and that presents a different security risk than for those located in more rural areas,” said Brandy Byrd Chapman, a data center security expert for Ameristar.

This trend impacts both existing facilities that are due for a perimeter security upgrade as well as new data centers that continue to squeeze into the area.

The security challenges that older vs. new data centers face might be a little different, however. For example, an existing facility might need to reevaluate the fence it installed a decade or two before the community evolved from slow-paced exurbia to busy suburbia. 

A new center, on the other hand, has the relative luxury of being able to select modular, scalable security features that can be easily upgraded as threat levels change. Giralt said it is important to be thinking about perimeter protection long before design and construction begin. 

“Partnering early with security manufacturers and integrators ensures long-term savings through value engineering and lifecycle planning,” she said.

Old or new, the most vulnerable parts of a data center’s perimeter are often access points such as gates, vehicular entrances and pedestrian checkpoints. 

“That is where human error or outdated equipment can expose critical vulnerabilities,” Giralt said. “Additionally, fencing systems may require upgrades to meet evolving industry standards for anti-ram or climb resistance.”

Giralt explained that a data center should reevaluate its perimeter security at least annually and whenever there is a change in the local threat landscape, technology or site usage. 

“Perimeter threats continue to evolve, and what was secure three years ago may no longer meet today’s standards,” she said. 

Chapman said there are ways to keep pace with evolving standards without running up costs. For one, a fence and related parts that are designed to be adaptable to upgrades can help the data center adjust to future security needs more easily.

“A fencing platform like ours that allows the data center to add new lights and cameras, or to increase the crash rating at a later time, will help hold down costs,” Chapman said. “Upgrading is always easier than replacing.”

Giralt advised that any upgrades should be preceded by a comprehensive site assessment to identify and prioritize risks.

“In Northern Virginia, where space and budgets can be tight, data centers can maximize impact by focusing on layered security, such as by enhancing gate controls, surveillance coverage and barrier resilience incrementally,” she said. “Leveraging modular perimeter solutions also allows phased implementation with minimal operational disruption.” 

These are likely to be among the issues discussed when Ameristar data center security expert Amy Dunton moderates a panel at Bisnow’s Data Center Investment Conference and Expo in Leesburg, Virginia.

Chapman said security will be top of mind for many attendees at the May 20-22 event.

“A data center built 10 years ago was fenced and secured properly for what the local area was like at the time, but it can change,” said Chapman, who noted that retrofits are a priority among many Ameristar clients. “We do a lot of perimeter upgrades because the original fence could stop a vehicle going 30 or 40 mph, but now, with busier roads nearby, it might need to be upgraded to withstand impacts at 50 or 60 mph.”

This article was produced in collaboration between Ameristar Perimeter Security and Studio B. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.

Studio B is Bisnow’s in-house content and design studio. To learn more about how Studio B can help your team, reach out to studio@bisnow.com.