It features world-class security, includes multiple back-up and redundant systems, uses much less power than anything else in its class and is a real life monument to the fact that development and environmental protection can occur together, says Eddison Stephens, VP Call Management Services at Fujitsu Technology Centre in Barataria.
"If there is a fire on the nearby Beetham landfill site and people are burning tyres, there is no way the secondary smoke would get in here. The call centre also features a state-of-the-art fire suppression system." Stephens was blowing his trumpet on the sophisticated features of the newly-opened multistory Trinidad Fujitsu Technology Centre, at 6th Avenue Extension and Ibis Avenue, Barataria, last week. During a guided media tour of the isolation room, he was expounding on the "green technology" of the facility which costs US$4 million ($25 million) to construct and outfit with the latest IT, data security and protection systems. Information Minister Kennedy Swaratsingh said about 40,000 users across 26 ministries are expected to benefit from the facility through the hosting of IT databases and cutting edge social services systems such as GovNeTT. While security is the main objective for the storage of data, they are also focused on conserving energy. Shocks, fires and the effects of lightning and other natural disasters are already catered for in the design.
"The water is chilled. There are "green areas" for cooling. It is environmentally friendly. There are distilled units. When the power goes down, there is cooling water managed by a central climate control and monitoring system that ensures an optimal environment is maintained. When it is getting two hot, the system would automatically cool itself. "There is a closed air system. It is regulated by censors, humidity and air flow. "Should lightning strike it will not affect the room, since the static isolation system does not affect the room." The system was developed by Fujitsu in response to the need by regional organisations for closer and more reliable access to their data in the event of a systems crash or natural disaster, making data protection one of the major selling points of the new facility. "If Port-of-Spain loses power, the system will get a second feed. This is indicative of its technical resilient data. There is another back-up generator if both generators fail." Companies can rest assured their data would be protected via a multiple battery pack for back-up power.
"The equipment will always remains powered. There are levels of resilience opposite the centre."
Security
Stephens said all activities within the restricted areas were recorded and archived. There was also audio, too. "There are restricted areas. There is a dark data centre There is window footpath monitoring. It means you can have access to several different pieces of equipment at the same time. The operations video and audio recordings can be accessed." Executive vice-president, commercial operations, Ian Cross, said all these systems and back-up measures are important to keep one step ahead of hackers and people who may want to harm or destroy corporate, sensitive identity or financial data or government information stored in databanks hosted at the centre. "You always have to be on the look out for hackers. You could not let your guard down. Hackers are highly sophisticated. You have to be more than highly sophisticated," he said.
Access to the facility was accessed when Stephens swiped a card to gain entry. No doors were left open and both an entrance and exit were done via the guide. Inside the air-conditioned facility, there are huge cabinets which are protected by wire mesh. It looks like a scene from a sci-fi movie and even sends one back to science class. The place is scrupulously clean and one wonders whether even bacteria could thrive there. The place is dull and grey, no photos were allowed and the hum of cooling fans and high-tech equipment can be heard in the background. Stephens said of paramount importance was the issue of security. Again, Stephens stressed access to the facility is only allowed to a few and they must be accompanied by certified personnel. Trade Minister Mariano Browne, who was present at the launch, said the isolation room was up to best practices. He said he was pleased with what he saw. "I particularly liked the layout of the rack mounted servers. I found it was a very efficient layout which allowed a robust footprint.
Most organisations have servers that are not rack mounted. If something doesn't work you can simply pull it out make changes and replace quickly and easily. A server could be a PC or something you slot in or pull out. It allows you to increase your storage easily without a huge impact on your server footprint." He also said the security features as well as the logical security constructs were excellent. "Security was well laid out. It is a purpose built feature. The equipment is meant so you can get through one security door. You cannot get through another without having to swipe," he said. Commenting on the immaculate neatness of the facility, he said electrical equipment is sensitive to dust. If you went into an IT room, you would find wires might be exposed on the floor. The wires were intact. Everything was tidy and neat. More importantly, the isolation room also allowed the organisation room for growth.
