ELI5: What are Environmental Controls?
Computers don’t like getting too hot, too wet, or catching fire — just like you! Environmental controls are things like air conditioning, fire sprinklers, and flood sensors that keep the room safe for the machines inside.
Definition
Environmental controls are physical security measures designed to protect IT infrastructure from non-human threats such as fire, excessive heat, humidity, flooding, and power issues. These controls are essential in data centers and server rooms where hardware failures due to environmental conditions can cause significant data loss and downtime, threatening the availability pillar of the CIA Triad.
Key Details
- Fire suppression: Wet pipe (water—risk of accidental discharge near electronics), dry pipe (pressurized air until triggered—better for server rooms), clean agent (Halon alternatives like FM-200 and Novec 1230—safe for electronics and personnel).
- HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning): Maintains optimal temperature (typically 64-75°F) and airflow in data centers; hot/cold aisle containment maximizes efficiency.
- Humidity control: Low humidity causes static electricity; high humidity causes condensation—target 40-60% RH.
- UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) and generators are power-related environmental controls.
- Hot/cold aisle containment prevents hot exhaust from recirculating as intake air.
Connections
- Parent: physical-security — environmental controls within the physical security domain
- See also: secure-areas