Telehouse Implements New Visitor Security System
Aug 3, 2006Telehouse Europe, Europe’s leading supplier of secure data centre and carrier-neutral co-location facilities, has chosen a new security system for employees, customers and visitors wishing to access its Docklands data centre. The bespoke system was designed specifically for Telehouse’s requirements and has been implemented by Grosvenor Technology. It represents the first stage of an access security project that, when complete, will include biometric identification.
The new system comprises two key elements: a VISAGE visitor access system running on rugged tablet PCs at the compound gatehouse and on desktop PCs in the reception area; this is fully integrated into a JANUS access control and security management system. Communication between the gatehouse and reception desk is over a secure, high-speed wireless LAN. The software took Identifile six months to develop and Grosvenor Technology two more months to integrate into Telehouse’ existing JANUS security systems. As well as providing greater security, the software has also reduced registration time for visitors by up to 50 percent.
Telehouse’s Docklands facility receives over 400 visitors daily, all of whom are now processed using the new system. The system stores details of employees and visitors, which are updated on each visit. This means that visitors’ details can be more easily checked and double entries avoided. It also flags up abnormal behaviour, such as visitors not going directly to the reception upon their arrival or attempting to access areas that they do not have permission to enter.
Telehouse chose this system because it offered a high level of security and a great deal of resilience. As standard IT equipment might not work well in the uninsulated and sometimes damp environment of the gatehouse, a wireless link to rugged, weatherproof tablet PCs was the logical conclusion. In addition, the functionality of the JANUS and VISAGE systems, including the ability to incorporate additional technologies such as biometrics, is not currently available from other vendors.
David Ayers, senior manager responsible for security services, Telehouse Europe comments: “We had a very good visitor security process, but it was sometimes a little bit time consuming. We wanted to invest in new technology that would speed everything up, provide additional levels of security and be flexible enough to support future growth for Telehouse. The type of solution I wanted wasn’t available on the market, but I talked to Grosvenor Technology who I have worked with for a number of years and they suggested designing this bespoke system. The whole system works very smoothly and we have received very positive feedback from customers. The tablet PCs are very rugged and can be used in all weathers and it has been very easy to train security and reception staff on the new system. The additional levels of security provided are reassuring for everyone and I am looking forward to rolling out further stages of this project.”
Notes to Editors
Visitors arriving at the Telehouse compound entrance have a range of identity and security details checked, including proof of identity and details of who they are visiting. They are also searched. These details about the visitor are then stored, so that on subsequent visits they can be booked in extremely quickly. Visitors cannot access the site without their access authority being validated.
Once the visitor has arrived on site their details are displayed on the security system. This notifies the administration staff that a visitor is between the gatehouse and the main reception and also provides a log of vehicle ownership within the Telehouse car park. Visitors are asked to go directly to the reception desk from the gatehouse. Those who do not, within a certain time period, will be highlighted on the system, providing additional security.
In the reception area which is the only point of entry to the actual data centres, photo identity and access authority is again verified and visitors are issued with an access card allowing them to enter certain areas. This is all completed via the new JANUS software. Once the access card has been issued the system instantly activates the access control system. Every door or entry point that a visitor has permission to enter is automatically logged by the system so Telehouse can see exactly where the visitor is going or has been. Failed access or attempts at accessing areas that a visitor does not have permission to enter, will also be identified by the system.
Before a visitor can leave the data centre they are required to return their card and are logged out. This nulls the access on the card, rendering it useless until applied to another visitor.
The system is also used to check employees’ identities and to log details of searches conducted on them or their cars.
About Telehouse Europe
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About Grosvenor Technology
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About Identifile Systems Ltd
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