In today’s digital landscape, data centers are the backbone of modern business operations. With their increasing importance, ensuring data centers remain functional during significant environmental or power-related events has become crucial. At PowerSecure, we’ve observed that while many professionals develop Business Continuity Plans (BCPs), key elements of power resiliency are often overlooked. The good news is that with the right strategies in place, your data center can thrive even during unexpected events. Let’s explore the top best practices that can help you craft a comprehensive, resilient BCP.
A strong BCP addresses a variety of potential risks. From natural disasters to cyberattacks, each threat presents its unique challenge. With careful planning, however, your data center can not only endure but emerge stronger. In regions with harsh or unpredictable weather, fluctuating energy costs, or wildfires, the need for the ability to efficiently generate power onsite is increasingly important. While power resilience is often at the forefront, we’ll explore several other important factors that contribute to overall business continuity.
Power disruptions remain one of the most common causes of data center downtime. Whether it’s due to inclement weather, rolling blackouts, or power grid instability, unexpected outages can be a significant threat to uninterrupted operations. Buildings Magazine discusses how extreme weather events are the most common culprit for data center downtime; a dangerous threat that has increased in likelihood and severity in recent years. However, with the right safeguards in place, such challenges can be mitigated.
Key Scenarios to Prepare For:
Bandwidth and Consistent Internet Connection
Reliable internet access is crucial for data center uptime. Any disruption in bandwidth or connectivity can slow down or halt critical operations. However, with redundancy measures, such as backup internet service providers (ISPs) or satellite solutions, your data center can continue functioning seamlessly, even during outages. A strong business continuity plan should include redundant internet feeds from different carriers, diverse physical circuits, and various technologies like fiber or Metro Ethernet. Monitoring the status and usage of all circuits is essential to prevent bottlenecks or downtime, especially during high usage or external threats like DDoS attacks. Ensuring both capacity and reliability, along with proactive monitoring, helps prevent service disruptions and maintains connectivity.
Cyberattacks
Cybersecurity has never been more critical. Cyberattacks targeting data centers or utility grids are becoming increasingly sophisticated, yet with strong security protocols and backup systems in place, the damage from an attack can be significantly minimized. “U.S. power grids are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks, with the number of susceptible points in electrical networks increasing by about 60 per day, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) said in a webcast”. Safeguarding both power supply and internet connectivity is key to protecting operations.
Rising Utility Costs
Another growing concern is the rise in utility costs, especially during peak energy demand periods. Incorporating strategies that anticipate these cost fluctuations allows your business to remain financially stable, even during periods of high energy pricing.
The following best practices will not only prepare your data center for challenges but also help you build resilience, optimize costs, and ensure that your business remains operational under any circumstances.
Utility power disruptions don’t have to equate to downtime. By investing in off-grid microgrids, your data center can maintain a steady power supply, even in the most challenging scenarios. Off-grid systems offer independence from utility power and provide the flexibility to manage your energy needs.
Benefits of Off-grid Backup Power:
2. Protect Your Equipment with Blip-less Transfer
Power transfer gaps can be detrimental to data center equipment. A blip-less transfer system eliminates these gaps, allowing for smooth transitions between power sources without disruption. This ensures that sensitive equipment remains protected from potential damage.
Why Blip-less Transfer is Essential:
3. Prioritize Energy Resource Flexibility
Diversity in energy sources is key to maintaining resilience. Relying on one type of energy, such as diesel, can leave your data center vulnerable to supply chain disruptions or price fluctuations. A diversified energy mix, including natural gas, solar, and clean diesel, provides additional security and environmental benefits.
Flexible Energy Solutions:
While no facility can be fully weatherproof, partnering with companies experienced in power resiliency during extreme weather is crucial. PowerSecure has a strong track record of keeping data centers operational, even through severe storms. For example, during Hurricane Irma, PowerSecure’s solutions kept over 800 Florida facilities keep their lights on for extended periods.
The Value of Redundancy:
Microgrids deliver resilient, sustainable power, enabling data centers to function independently from the grid during outages and crises. They support data centers in handling rising demand and aging infrastructure, ensuring mission-critical operations remain uninterrupted despite grid instability. Along with providing renewable energy, microgrids facilitate on-site power generation, reducing costs.
At PowerSecure, we understand the unique challenges data centers face and provide tailored solutions to ensure business continuity. From off-grid microgrids to seamless blip-less power transfers, our systems are designed to keep your operations efficient and resilient. Let us help you craft a Business Continuity Plan that prepares your data center for any eventuality.
Discover how PowerSecure can support your data center’s resilience.