Experts have decided: this is the best security solution in Estonia
The best security solutions in Estonia are acknowledged every year. This important mission has been led by the Estonian Security Association (ETEL) since 2001 and the competition was also held this year to find the companies with the highest achievements. The aim of the competition is to acknowledge the companies, organisations, and individuals who have contributed significantly to alleviating their operational risks and to increasing the security of property and people within the past calendar year.
Photo by: Estonian Security Association.
‘There have been years where the companies competing for the first place are awarded equal points and the management board of the ETEL declares several projects the winners. This was not the case this year – the win was a landslide,’ said Andre Lilleleht, chief executive of the ETEL. The security system of the data center of Greenergy Data Centers was deemed the best. ‘The efficient integration of different systems and putting together numerous different components to form a well-functioning whole most likely proved decisive,’ Lilleleht specified. ‘Most likely, as a secret ballot was held to choose the winner.’
How was the winning security system born?
Upon accepting the prize, Tanel Klaar from Greenergy Data Centers, who led the implementation of the winning solution, admitted that the solution was brought to life thanks to considerable effort and thousands of hours of work.
Security already came into the equation in the planning phase – during the process of choosing the location of the data center. For example, it was important to make sure that there were no hazardous production buildings or transport junctions in the vicinity, that the building was not directly under a flight path, etc.
The planning of the building was based on the strictest EU standard for data centers, EN 50600. Every action undertaken had to lead to getting the certificate. And they did.
‘The next step after choosing the location was developing the security concept on the basis of the terms of reference, in which we took into consideration the professional experience of the team and the advice from consultants. On the basis of that, we ordered a preliminary project and proceeded from there to the procurement procedure. The procurement procedure was won by Telegrupp. We chose our partner on the basis of the best comprehensive solution and competence, not only the price, and this is evident in the data center of GDC today,’ said Klaar to describe the process.
According to Tõnu Kutsar, CEO of EULE, the designer of the security solution, best practice was carefully kept in mind when planning the data center. ‘The owner strictly followed the correct path in organising the planning of the security systems of the data center, without missing any of the important key points. The entire algorithm required to achieve the final result was thoroughly analysed. For example, an independent risk assessment and the security concept of the data center were drawn up before the design process,’ Kutsar explained.
The security concept designated security classes to the complex and the parts thereof pursuant to the standards. Based on the security classes, physical and electronic security measures were planned, including design packages. ‘OÜ EULE as the designer of the technical security solutions was delighted to pick up the baton in a manner which allowed us to execute our part based on our best professional experience,’ added the CEO of EULE.
According to Tanel Klaar, the requirements of the EN 50600 standard were exceeded in many ways. For example, the external perimeter of the data center is guarded by thermal cameras, among other things, which is not directly required by the standard, but ensure efficient surveillance even in the poorest weather conditions. ‘The building also only has electronic locks, which means that the opening of any doors can be monitored and identified retrospectively,’ added Klaar.
The final solution was created in close cooperation with Telegrupp. ‘I believe that I am not exaggerating if I say that I had thousands of phone calls with them during the construction works. Quick questions often turned into hour-long discussions,’ said Klaar with a smirk.
Oliver Riik, representative of Telegrupp, praised the contracting entity for undertaking a huge project and being an active partner. ‘The project was successful. We were, above all, satisfied with installing high-quality and reliable products which may be relied on for many years of service. The advantage of choosing newer technology and the equipment of a well-known manufacturer is the knowledge that they will be supported for years and serve their purpose excellently,’ added Riik. ‘Comparing the data center with other public buildings, I would place the complex of Greenergy Data Centers close to the top in terms of security.’
According to him, one of the greatest challenges was to take into consideration in advance that there would be more server rooms in the data center. ‘Adding the equipment of the new rooms to the comprehensive security system must be smooth and cost-efficient in the future,’ explained Riik.
Solutions had to be found in some relatively unexpected situations, too. ‘For example, we could not foresee that we had to apply for a special permit from the security authority of the country of origin to deploy the chosen thermal cameras. We had to explain why and how we would be using them,’ Klaar added.
Planning the large-scale project
Creating such a large-scale security solution is like putting together a complex technical puzzle. In addition to placing the pieces correctly, they must also be put in place in the correct order. According to Klaar, the following key points can be highlighted on the basis of the experience gained from building the data center:
Risk analysis – this is the basis of everything and the conceptional decisions made must be based on all risk scenarios possible, and on the alleviation of these risks. The combination of different risks must also be analysed here. For example, how is security ensured if there is a fire in one of the rooms and people are being evacuated? This does not mean that all evacuation doors are open and it is possible to walk about freely.
Interpretation of standards – which requirements must the different parts of the building comply with and how to achieve the optimum solution? There is also the risk of overdoing it when planning complex systems, which will eventually affect the need for investment and the user convenience. Right from the phase of concept creation and design, careful thought must be given to how the systems will support or restrict the regular operations of the building.
Aligning the systems – the security system of the building and the fire safety installations must form a systematically managed whole. If each part of the system only functioned separately, it would be very difficult to make maximum use of all of them in parallel. At the end of the day, the greatest effect arises from efficient integration. One good example of this is the vehicle gate, in the case of which, the roadblock, the folding gate, the access system, traffic lights, cameras, locks, security magnets, the movement sensor, the licence plate identification system, the intercom system, and different security systems must work in harmony.
From the perspective of the contractor, Oliver Riik gives the following advice to the contracting entity:
make the terms of reference as detailed as possible. This will provide things to discuss and think about;
choose a good designer. The building design documentation will form the basis for accurate and reality-based pricing;
design the terms and conditions of the procurement process so that the contracting entity can have their say in the selection of the equipment. The best outcome is born in dialogue;
involve a technical advisor, who can advise the contracting entity and discuss the details of the project with designers and contractors. This allows to avoid situations in which the contracting entity only finds out what has been built upon the delivery of the works;
use professional construction supervision of the security systems. Good components alone do not ensure a bullet-proof system. Those components must also be connected and deployed masterfully.
Convenience is the greatest (security) risk
One of the greatest risks in developing a large-scale security solution is convenience. Technology enables to simplify many processes today, but the accompanying risks may remain unnoticed. ‘One example of this is licence place-based entry for vehicles. A video analysis system identifies the licence plate of the approaching vehicle, the computer checks the permits associated with the vehicle from the database, and the gate opens. Extremely user-friendly. On the other hand, anyone can print a suitable licence plate and attach it to a vehicle,’ said Klaar to describe the accompanying risks.
Security and convenience inevitably appear to rule out one another. Thus, creating a solution in which no compromises are made when it comes to the security requirements, but which is also eventually convenient to use, is an art form.