Tech giants, like Google and Facebook, all have a responsibility to secure your data. If they fail to, they risk mass media coverage and even lawsuits. So, naturally, they put a lot of effort into locking down the data they store.
But, what lengths do they go to? Over the years, several tech companies have opened their doors to documentary makers. So, we know the sort of thing they use. For the unacquainted, have a look through this post.
- Armed Guards & Electric Fences
The biggest companies go the extra mile. Data centers, owned by the likes of IBM and Google, will often have armed guards situated at their doors. Not only that, but we see examples of data centers protected by tall electric fences, motion sensors, patrolling canine units, spotlights, and even helicopters.
This level of protection is usually reserved for presidential residences and military bases. So, the fact that companies deem it necessary, probably means that it is. Although, physical attacks on this sort of facility are rare. Digital attacks are much more common.
- The Wall of Digital Fire
Companies will usually use their own proprietary security software. This makes it harder for cybercriminals to build compatible malware. If they don’t know how the security system works, then they can’t crack it. This software will be developed in-house, by the companies own developers. But, obviously, sometimes these systems fail.
Even the smallest server room will have a physical firewall unit in it’s rack, but tech kings take it to another level. The networks these companies build are locked down better than a prison. Using a combination of inhouse prevention methods, as well as commercial security solutions.
- If It’s Broken, Don’t Throw It Out!
It’s impossible to completely wipe a magnetic disk; like the ones found in hard drives. Although, few people have the machinery needed to recover them. Despite the unlikelihood of someone getting the data, dead hard drives are drilled out and thrown into hard drive shredders. Unless someone somehow managed to get every single piece of one hard drive, and miraculously put it back together; your data is safe.
- Why Go To These Lengths?
For these companies, your data is their business. If they lose your data, they’re likely to lose your business as well. More than ever, companies have to work hard before they can gain a customer’s trust. Especially companies that deal with our personal information. If their reputation is bad, they won’t get any trust. Some types of data, like credit card or address information, is very dangerous to lose. Companies have had to pay massive settlements to people over cases like this.
For a lot of these companies, the data they store is required for their everyday running. Companies like Google need data for their services to work. And, a lot of the data they store is sensitive, and can’t be in the wrong hands.
It’s interesting to see how much effort companies put in, especially when a lot of threat seems relatively minor. But if you were transferring thousands of terabytes of data everyday, you would probably feel the need to protect it too.
