CARMEL, IND.  – During the Critical Facilities Summit to be held in the Charlotte (NC) Convention Center October 21-23, 2013, Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies will discuss “Protecting Data Centers with Biometrics” in an educational session to be held at 3:15 pm on Tuesday, October 22. With more applications going to the cloud and becoming connected, the number of data centers and critical infrastructures has been exponentially increasing around the world. From the front door, throughout the facility and at the independent cages, data centers can put biometric hand readers to work, assuring only authorized individuals gain entry. Presenter will be Raj Venkat, Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies vice president and general manager, readers and credentials.

“It is important that data center clients know that their information is secure both logically and physically,” emphasizes Venkat. “Data centers need to provide a high level of assurance that people are who they claim to be. They must prevent unauthorized access to hardware and critical information. The solution has to offer a high level of security, be easy to use and not rely on the user to remember a card. Biometric technology is the obvious answer.”

According to Venkat, the challenge in offsite storage and information handling facilities has been to provide employees, customers, and maintenance personnel with immediate access while at the same time producing a level of security commensurate with the value of assets being protected. Data-dependent companies need a solution that accommodates a large number of infrequent users. Clearly a simple card-based system, where cards can be lost or stolen, is not the answer. Forgotten and misplaced cards degrade the effectiveness of a security system. Offsite data facilities cannot rely on customers to remember their card each time they visit and reissuing takes too much time, is expensive and can lead to breeches. Biometric hand readers offer distinct advantages such as unparalleled accuracy and reliability, dual authentication, as well as fast and easy enrollment.  Plus hand readers easily integrate and network with existing systems.

Data centers also need flexible, fast authentication with a biometric that handles a large population without holdups. They need to get people through in a reasonable amount of time. It is important to get employees quickly in and out. 

“That’s why Internet data, telecommunications and co-location facilities around the world are using hand geometry for their physical access control,” add Venkat. “Likewise, many traditional organizations are also using the same biometric solution to protect their on-site data centers.”

In addition to learning about biometrics at data centers in the educational briefing, attendees at the Critical Facilities can also visit the Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies booth (#110) to learn about many other solutions for low maintenance options that will help facility managers achieve greater security and productivity. Examples include locking systems that provide increased flexibilities for expanding and changing access control needs; readers that read magnetic stripe, proximity and smart cards; and technology that lets people’s own smartphones become their access control credential.