Physical and Environmental Protection

Physical And Environmental Protection

The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information can be impaired through physical access and damage or destruction to physical components. Conceptually, those physical security risks are mitigated through zone-oriented implementations. Zones are physical areas with differing physical security requirements. The security requirements of each zone are a function of the sensitivity of the data contained or accessible through the zone and the information technology components in the zone. For instance, data centers may be in the highest security zone, and branches may be in a much lower security zone. Different security zones can exist within the same structure. Routers and servers in a branch, for instance, may be protected to a greater degree than customer service terminals. Computers and telecommunications equipment within an operations center will have a higher security zone than I/O operations, with the media used by that equipment stored at yet a higher zone. The requirements for each zone should be determined through the risk assessment.

The risk assessment should include, but is not limited to, the following threats:

• Aircraft crashes
• Chemical effects
• Dust
• Electrical supply interference
• Electromagnetic radiation
• Explosives
• Fire
• Smoke
• Theft/Destruction
• Vibration/Earthquake
• Water
• Criminals
• Terrorism
• Political issues (e.g. strikes, disruptions)
• Any other threats applicable based on the entity’s unique geographical location, building configuration, neighboring entities, etc.

Data Center Security

When selecting a site for the most important information systems components, one major objective is to limit the risk of exposure from internal and external sources. The selection process should include a review of the surrounding area to determine if it is relatively safe from exposure to fire, flood, explosion, or similar environmental hazards. Outside intruders can be deterred through the use of guards, fences, barriers, surveillance equipment, or other similar devices. Since access to key information system hardware and software should be limited, doors and windows must be secure. Additionally, the location should not be identified or advertised by signage or other indicators.

Detection devices, where applicable, should be utilized to prevent theft and safeguard the equipment. They should provide continuous coverage. Detection devices have two purposes— to alarm when a response is necessary and to support subsequent forensics. The alarm capability is useful only when a response will occur.

Some intruder detection devices available include:

• Switches that activate an alarm when an electrical circuit is broken;
• Light and laser beams, ultraviolet beams and sound or vibration detectors that are invisible to the intruder, and ultrasonic and radar devices that detect movement in a room; and
• Closed-circuit television that allows visual observation and recording of actions.

Risks from environmental threats can be addressed through devices such as halon gas and halon replacements, smoke alarms, raised flooring, and heat sensors.

Physical security devices frequently need preventive maintenance to function properly. Maintenance logs are one control the institution can use to determine whether the devices are appropriately maintained. Periodic testing of the devices provides assurance that they are operating correctly.

Security guards should be properly instructed about their duties. The employees who acces secured areas should have proper identification and authorization to enter the area. All visitors should sign in and wear proper IDs so that they can be identified easily. Security guards should be trained to restrict the removal of assets from the premises and to record the identity of anyone removing assets. Consideration should be given to implementing a specific and formal authorization process for the removal of hardware and software from premises.

The following security zones should have access restricted to a need basis:

• Operations center
• Uninterrupted power supply
• Telecommunications equipment
• Media library

Cabinet and Vault Security

Protective containers are designed to meet either fire-resistant or burglar-resistant standards. Labels describing expected tolerance levels are usually attached to safes and vault doors. An institution should select the tolerance level based on the sensitivity and importance of the information being protected.

Physical Security in Distributed IT Environments

Hardware and software located in a user department are often less secure than that located in a computer room. Distributed hardware and software environments (e.g., local area networks or LANs) that offer a full range of applications for small financial institutions as well as larger organizations are commonly housed throughout the organization, without special environmental controls or raised flooring. In such situations, physical security precautions are often less sophisticated than those found in large data centers, and overall building security becomes more important. Internal control procedures are necessary for all hardware and software deployed in distributed, and less secure, environments. The level of security surrounding any hardware and software should depend on the sensitivity of the data that can be accessed, the significance of applications processed, the cost of the equipment, and the availability of backup equipment.

Because of their portability and location in distributed environments, personal computers (PCs) often are prime targets for theft and misuse. The location of PCs and the sensitivity of the data and systems they access determine the extent of physical security required. For PCs in unrestricted areas such as a branch lobby, a counter or divider may provide the only barrier to public access. In these cases, institutions should consider securing PCs to workstations, locking or removing disk drives and unnecessary physical ports, and using screensaver passwords or automatic timeouts. Employees also should have only the access to PCs and data they need to perform their job. The sensitivity of the data processed or accessed by the computer usually dictates the level of control required. The effectiveness of security measures depends on employee awareness and enforcement of these controls.

An advantage of PCs is that they can operate in an office environment, providing flexible and informal operations. However, as with larger systems, PCs are sensitive to environ mental factors such as smoke, dust, heat, humidity, food particles, and liquids. Because they are not usually located within a secure area, policies should be adapted to provide protection from ordinary contaminants.

Other environmental problems to guard against include electrical power surges and static electricity. The electrical power supply in an office environment is sufficient for a PC’s requirements. However, periodic fluctuations in power (surges) can cause equipment damage or loss of data. PCs in environments that generate static electricity are susceptible to static electrical discharges that can cause damage to PC components or memory.

Physical security for distributed IT, particularly LANs that are usually PC-based, is slightly different than for mainframe platforms. With a network there is often no centralized computer room. In addition, a network often extends beyond the local premises. There are certain components that need physical security. These include the hardware devices and the software and data that may be stored on the file servers, PCs, or removable media (tapes and disks). As with more secure IT environments, physical network security should prevent unauthorized personnel from accessing LAN devices or the transmission of data. In the case of wire-transfer clients, more extensive physical security is required.

Physical protection for networks as well as PCs includes power protection, physical locks, and secure work areas enforced by security guards and authentication technologies such as magnetic badge readers. Physical access to the network components (i.e., files, applications, communications, etc.) should be limited to those who require access to perform their jobs. Network workstations or PCs should be password protected and monitored for workstation activity.

Network wiring requires some form of protection since it does not have to be physically penetrated for the data it carries to be revealed or contaminated. Examples of controls include using a conduit to encase the wiring, avoiding routing through publicly accessible areas, and avoiding routing networking cables in close proximity to power cables. The type of wiring can also provide a degree of protection; signals over fiber, for instance, are less susceptible to interception than signals over copper cable.

Network security also can be compromised through the capture of radio frequency emissions. Frequency emissions are of two types, intentional and unintentional. Intentional emissions are those broadcast, for instance, by a wireless network. Unintentional emissions are the normally occurring radiation from monitors, keyboards, disk drives, and other devices. Shielding is a primary control over emissions. The goal of shielding is to confine a signal to a defined area. An example of shielding is the use of foil-backed wallboard and window treatments. Once a signal is confined to a defined area, additional controls can be implemented in that area to further minimize the risk that the signal will be intercepted or changed.