Escorted Vs. Unescorted Entry in a Data Center

When you go into a colocation site to work on your server, there are two options for entry. Some facilities use unescorted entry and other use escorted entry. Both types of entry have their benefits and their drawbacks. Let’s take a look at the features of each:

Escorted Entry

With escorted entry, you are escorted into the server room by someone who works at the facility. They have the keys to the building and the code to the server room and do not share either with outside parties. If your server is locked in a specific case, they will also unlock it for you, or else show you where your server is located in the room.

Escorted entry provides extra security to the servers. Only authorized and confirmed clients are allowed access the servers. This prevents people from coming in and hacking into another user’s server or doing damage to other people’s equipment. The main benefit of escorted entry is to provide one more level o f security to your server.

On the downside, with some providers you aren’t allowed 24-hour access to your server. Since you have to be escorted into the facility, there has to be someone on staff to let you in. Depending on the provider there may only be one or two shifts each day and there may be extended periods at night when you aren’t able to access your server.

This problem is often countered by providing 24-hour on-call service. For providers that offer this service, if you need access to your server during non-business hours, you simply have to phone up the company and someone will let you into the facility-usually within half an hour. Essentially, this feature gives you the exact same benefits of unescorted entry, but with the added security escorted entry.

Unescorted Entry

For unescorted entry, the customer is given a special access card to the facility. You can use this card to gain access to the building as we ll as to the room where the servers are held. Once you are inside the server room, you have a key to unlock your particular server.

The main benefit of unescorted entry is that you have access to your server 24/7. Anytime day or night, you can gain access to your server without any prior notice to the facility. Whenever a problem strikes, you can remedy it without delay.

Unfortunately, this unrestricted access comes with a slight risk to security. Without an escort, it’s possible for anyone to go into the server room and possibly do harm to your server. There are however, precautions in place to prevent this from happening. The use of individual keys to unlock servers is one such safeguard against unauthorized use. Also, facilities are equipped with security cameras and key cards that identify the user. These features are enough to prevent the theft and misuse of your server.

Depending on your needs you may chose escorted or unescorted entry to your colocation provider. If security is a big concern, you’ll probably want to go with escorted service. On the other hand, if you need round-the-clock access to your server then unescorted entry is probably better for you.

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Saleh Tousi is the CEO of SmarttNet, a Vancouver IT company offering comprehensive business Internet services including Vancouver colocation since 1995.