Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1255991
July/August/September 2020 I 43 ESSENTIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR RACK-LEVEL ELECTRONIC LOCK SOLUTION Given the five considerations discussed, there are essen- tial capabilities to look for when selecting a rack-level electronic lock solution: Electronic Locks Electronic locks secure the doors on cabinets, sense access attempts and indicate door latch (lock) opened or closed condition. They are typically a swinghandle with an inte- grated solenoid that operates the latch to opened or closed condition, a proximity sensor that indicates condition of the latch opened or closed, and an access card reader that senses and reads values from presented keys. The lock also carries a mechanical key override to handle door openings during a power outage. Access card readers need to be compatible with the card types provided to individuals within an organization. Types of access cards can vary from 125 kHz proximity cards to simple 13.5 MHz smart cards, to next-generation smart cards with one-time passwords. With access card technologies changing very rapidly, it is ideal if the swing- handle and the reader are separate integrated modules. Some models may also include an integrated keypad or biometric reader. Single-Factor or Multi-Factor Authentication Depending on the level of security required, multiple lev- els of authentication may be preferred. Some electronic locks may include an additional keypad for a unique PIN entry. More advanced solutions may include a biometric reader. If using biometric authentication, privacy laws need to be considered. It is best if it is used alongside an RFID card where the biometric imprint is stored on an individual's badge rather than a centralized database. Door Sensors An electronic locking solution for the cabinets needs to monitor not just the cabinet lock status but also status of the door itself. It is critical that an effective locking solution be able to collect input from multiple doors on the cabinet. In the event a door is opened, a warning notification should be provided immediately, followed by additional warnings if the door is left open for an extended duration. Wiring and Network Connections There are three types of network connections. The first is through rack intelligent power distribution units (PDUs), the second via a separate networked controller module and the third in which the locks are connected to a build- ing's security access panel. In the first two scenarios, the locks are managed by IT through a data center infrastruc- ture management (DCIM) software solution while the latter is managed through the building security system, which is also used to manage access within the entire campus. Networking Through PDUs Advanced rack PDUs can now integrate with environmen- tal monitoring sensors and access control. This means power management, environmental monitoring and access control can be handled at once, via a straightfor- ward, easy-to-use web interface, all networked under one IP address (Figure 5). FIGURE 5: Networking the electronic lock through the PDU provides a more cost-effective solution for extending physical security to the rack level, since there is full integration with environmental sensors, power distribution and access control into a single platform.