Cyber Security Institute
§ Current Worries
Top 3 Worries
- Regulations
- Old Firewall Configurations
- Security Awareness
§ Listening
For the best information
- The underground
- Audible
- Executive Excellence
- Music (to keep me sane)
§ Watching
For early warnings
- 150 Security Websites
- AP Newsfeeds
- Vendors
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Many Data Centers Still Have No Risk Management Plan
More than 75% of all companies have experienced a business disruption in the past five years, including 20% who say the disruption had a serious impact on the business, according to a recent survey of data center managers. Despite the critical nature of data center operations to business, nearly 17% reported they have no risk management plan, and less than 5% have plans that address viruses and security breaches. The predictions: Within the next five years, one out of every four data centers will experience a serious disruption; by 2015, the talent pool of qualified senior-level technical and management data center professionals will shrink by 45%; by 2010, nearly 70% of all data centers will use some form of grid computing or virtual processing; by 2010, more than half of all data centers will have to relocate to new facilities or outsource some applications; and over the next five years, power failures and limits on power availability will halt data center operations at more than 90% of companies.
“The question becomes whether companies are focusing their dollars on potential disruptions that have the highest probability of affecting the organization,” Caprio said.
The survey found that more than 60% of respondents say 10% or less of their data center budgets are allocated to risk management, while only 18% dedicate 25% or more of the budget in that area. While 42% don’t foresee implementing some form of grid computing or virtual processing in their data center, 37% say they will within two years, 17% within five years, and 4% within 10 years. Nearly a third expect to have to relocate their data centers, while 45% believe they will need to make major improvements to existing data centers.
In the past five years, 34% of respondents have had to upgrade or add feeders to their data centers to accommodate higher loads, 14% had to build new centers with additional capacity to meet IT requirements, and 8% had to ask landlords for more electrical capacity.