A significant challenge will be maintaining comprehensive and auditable access logs. Data centres are increasingly complex, with numerous contractors, vendors, and internal personnel requiring access. Ensuring every entry and exit is accurately recorded – and that this data is securely stored and readily available for audits – will be difficult. We anticipate failures relating to incomplete logs, discrepancies between physical access and system records, and inadequate retention policies.
Another area of concern is the consistent application of the principle of least privilege. As data centres adopt more automation and interconnected systems, it’s easy for access controls to become overly permissive. We expect to see instances where individuals have access to systems or data beyond what’s strictly necessary for their roles, violating both SOC 2 and ISO 27001 requirements. This is particularly relevant with the rise of remote access for specialist maintenance.
- Incident Response Planning: Many facilities have plans, but struggle with regular testing and updates. We predict failures in demonstrating effective incident response capabilities, particularly around visitor-related security breaches.
- Vendor Risk Management: Data centres rely heavily on third-party vendors. Failing to adequately assess and monitor the security practices of these vendors – including their visitor management protocols – will be a common compliance gap.
- Physical Security Integration: Disconnects between physical security systems (like access control) and logical security systems (like VMS) will create vulnerabilities. We foresee failures in demonstrating a unified security approach.
To proactively address these potential issues, we advise data centre operators to prioritise regular security audits, invest in robust VMS solutions with comprehensive reporting capabilities, and implement thorough vendor risk management programs. Continuous training for all personnel – including visitors – on security protocols is also essential. Ultimately, a proactive and layered security approach is the best defence against compliance failures and potential breaches. If you’d like a detailed assessment of your current visitor management system’s compliance posture, please reach out to our team for a consultation.
