Digital integrity is a crucial aspect of commercial organizational operations around the world. Such organisations entrust their digital data to Data Centers to process, manage and store this vital information. The key concern for these organisations is business continuity; companies are dependent on Data Center information systems to run their operations. Company operations may be impaired or inactive completely if a system becomes unavailable. It is essential to provide a reliable infrastructure for digital information technology operations, to minimize any chance of disruption.
Information security is also a concern, and for this reason a data center has to offer a secure environment which minimizes the chances of a security breach. A data center must therefore keep high standards for assuring the integrity and functionality of its hosted computer environment. This is accomplished through redundancy of mechanical cooling and power systems (including emergency backup power generators) serving the data center along with fiber optic cables.
A data center is a facility used to house computer systems and associated components, such as telecommunications and storage systems. It generally includes redundant or backup power supplies, redundant data communications connections, environmental controls (e.g., air conditioning, fire suppression) and various security devices. Large data centers are industrial scale operations using as much electricity as a small town.
The true value of a data center lies within the data assets it manages, as well as the actual structure itself. Data is the very foundation of the businesses that use the center, whether they themselves also own the construction, or whether it is a co-location facility.
In an environment containing such volumes of business critical information, and a facility representing significant investment by or in support of data owners, it is essential to protect it from fire risk.