What Should Data Centre Security Fences Look Like?

When you think of a security fence, your mind may go towards that of a prison in a Hollywood film: a tall chain fence topped with barbed wire.

However, this intimidating fence portrayed on screen isn’t actually that secure and there are plenty of high-security solutions in the real world that have been the third party accredited to keep unauthorised people out.

There’s also a difference in the performance of demarcation fencing and security fencing which has been engineered and often tested to provide a certain level of protection.

You’re most likely to see a security fence going about your daily business without even realising it.

In this blog, we will be highlighting the appearance of a security fence, as well as the two most popular fences for data centres

Read on to find out more.

The Appearance Of your data centre Security Fence

The main purpose of a security fence around data centres is to assist in protecting the infrastructure contained within the site, which ultimately protects data stored at the facility. To deter intruders, the fence should look formidable and difficult to penetrate, or intimidating to any potential attacker.

This can be achieved using palisade security fencing as the pointed pales and no obvious footholds make it hard to climb.

To ensure specification is met, entry point systems such as turnstiles and high-security gates may be required., We would advise these meet the same certified specification as the fence so there are no vulnerable areas ensuring the perimeter has no perceived weak points.

Palisade High-Security fencing For Your Data Centre

When it comes to specifying high-security fencing for your data centre, there is a range of options to choose from. But the two main choices are palisade security fencing or mesh security fencing and if you are storing anything value we would recommend a minimum security level of LPS 1175 B3 (previously SR2)

Both in their own right have different benefits and in theory, both high-security fencing systems are designed to do the same thing; to protect your data centre.

The palisade fence has established itself as an industry favourite with data centres, due to it’s intimidating appearance. It has a very robust, industrial look, compared to that of its mesh counterpart.

To enhance this further, security toppings can also be added.  To make palisade even harder to climb some clients like to have the pale curved outwards. This makes the fence even more intimidating and perceived to make the fence even harder to climb.

Palisade is the ideal solution if the site you are trying to secure has an uneven ground or is on a gradient as it can follow the contours in the ground unlike rigid mesh panels, which needs to be stepped or dug into the ground.

Mesh Security Fencing for your data centre

Mesh fencing is the more “inviting” looking of the two, as it doesn’t have the same intimidating appearance as a palisade. However, it terms of security if it has the same security accreditation it provides a very similar level of security.

A mesh fence may be best suited to those in the public eye, as palisade can be very industrial looking.  However, these fences aren’t made to look pretty, they’re designed to deter unauthorised persons away from your data centre.

Just like palisade fencing you can also upgrade your mesh fence with added toppings to enhance the security and intimidation of your fence. Added toppings such as different forms of barbed or razor wire, or electric pulse fencing to deter people from going over the top.

The layered approach to high-security fencing for your data centre

The layered approach to security fencing could also be taken, and both fences could be used to enhance your data centre security measures.

The layered approach is used as a further delay tactic, as there are more layers for an unauthorised person to have to get through. For example, you may use an SR3 fence on assets of higher value inside an SR2 perimeter. This approach would only be appropriate for sensitive data centres.

Conclusion

Each data centre fence will look different, and there isn’t a specific way they should look. This is purely down to the fact that each data centre needs different high-security fencing needs.

From experience, we find that palisade fencing is often preferred by data centres once the pro’s and cons of each system are understood. Mesh is often specified when the site is required to blend in with the surrounding environment.

Some may require a basic level of security, and others may need HVM fencing. The appearance of a data centre security fence is all down to the specification and what is required for the fence.

Many things are needed to be considered when specifying your data centre fences, such as location, perceived risk, and required ratings. You can find out more here 

If you’re still unsure of your specification needs, get in touch for your free, no-obligation site survey, to find the right security fence to meet your needs.

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Russell Ridgway

Russell’s security career began in 2006 when Barkers were tasked to develop a highly secure fence to prevent security breaches at a high profile mine in Papua New Guinea.

At the time Russell was managing Barkers Fastener division, playing a pivotal role in the development of StronGuard. Due to the success of StronGuard, Russell became Business Development Director for our high security products.