Cyber and Physical Security: Safeguarding Critical Infrastructure

In today’s interconnected world, the protection of critical infrastructure has become atop priority for governments and industries alike. Cyber and physical security are tightly linked, as vulnerabilities in either domain can have cascading effects on essential services. European legislation, particularly through regulations like NIS2 and CER, underscores the importance of securing critical infrastructure. But what exactly do these laws entail, and how do they impact sectors such as data centers? Moreover, how can dormakaba's specialized products and solutions help organizations comply with these stringent regulations?

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NIS2 and CER: Enhancing Security Across Europe

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NIS2 (Network and Information Systems Directive) and CER (Critical Entities Resilience Directive) are two key pieces of European legislation designed to bolste rsecurity across critical sectors.

• NIS2 focuses on improving cybersecurity across essential services and digital infrastructure. It mandates that organizations take steps to protect against cyber threats, secure their IT networks, and maintain continuous service delivery even under cyberattack.
• CER targets the physical security and resilience of critical entities, ensuring they can withstand and recover from a wide array of physical threats such as natural disasters, sabotage, or terrorist attacks. The directive highlights the importance of implementing both preventative and responsive measures to safeguard essential services.

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What is Critical Infrastructure?

Critical infrastructure refers to the facilities, systems, and networks that are vital to the functioning of society. These include sectors such as energy, transportation, water supply, telecommunications, healthcare, and data centers. Any disruption to these infrastructures can have serious consequences for national security, public safety, and the economy.

As datacenters hold the backbone of the digital world, ensuring their physical and cyber resilience is particularly crucial. This includes preventing unauthorized access, securing sensitive data, and guaranteeing business continuity in the event of any incident.

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Impact of NIS2 and CER on Access Control Systems

Access control systems play a pivotal role in both cybersecurity and physical security. As part of compliance with NIS2 and CER, organizations are required to implement robust access control measures to prevent unauthorized access to critical systems and infrastructures. This involves:

• Monitoring and controlling entry points: Ensuring that only authorized personnel can access restricted areas, both physically and digitally.
• Integration with cybersecurity measures: Access control systems should be integrated with IT security systems to provide a holistic defense against potential threats.
• Regular audits and updates: Organizations must continuously evaluate the effectiveness of their access control systems to meet evolving security threats and regulatory requirements.

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Different Perimeter Types for Data Centers According to EN 50600

EN 50600 is the European standard for data center facilities and infrastructure, outlining guidelines for security measures based on different perimeter levels:

1. Outer Perimeter: The first line of defense, usually the physical barrier that surrounds the entire data center, such as fences or walls.
2. Inner Perimeter: Controls access to the building itself and often involves advanced security technologies such as biometric access control systems.
3. Room Perimeter: This pertains to securing individual rooms within the data center, ensuring that sensitive areas are accessible only to authorized personnel.
4. Rack Perimeter: The final layer of protection, ensuring that the servers and racks housing critical data are secured with high-level access control measures.

By adhering to these levels of perimeter security, organizations can ensure that their datacenters are resilient to both physical and cyber threats.

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dormakaba: Delivering Advanced Security Solutions

As a leading expert in physical security, dormakaba provides innovative solutions tailored to meet the needs of critical infrastructure. From advanced access control systems to robust perimeter security solutions, dormakaba products are designed to offer maximum protection while ensuring ease of use and compliance with European regulations like NIS2 and CER.

• Access Control Systems: dormakaba offers secure, scalable access control systems that manage and monitor entry points, helping organizations comply with both physical and cyber security requirements.
• Perimeter Security: dormakaba provides perimeter protection solutions that secure both the outer and inner perimeters of critical facilities, ensuring full control over who can access sensitive areas.
• Custom Solutions for Major Verticals: Whether in healthcare, energy, or data centers, dormakaba has specialized solutions tailored to meet the unique security challenges of each industry, helping organizations stay compliant and protected.

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Visit Us at BAU 2025

Explore the full range of dormakaba products and discover how we can help secure your critical infrastructure. Visit our stand at BAU 2025 to learn more about our solutions and how we can support your business in meeting today’s security challenges.

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