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The Risky Data Center

PanelistsDon Byrne Jack Pyne Rich Banta

Introduction and Concepts Standards OverviewApplying the Concepts

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BLACKSWAN

EVENTS

when “what

can never

happen --

does.” 

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Common Data Center Risks• Unlicensed software• Home-grown code in critical path• Single carriers/ utility providers (no diversity)• No policy/guidance for controlling BYOD • Rogue wireless access points• Local purchasing leading to a lack of configuration 

control• Inaccurate change management tracking• Out-of-date documentation• Changing compliance requirements with 

rules/standards/laws• Unnoticed facility flaws (e.g., internal wooden 

frames)• ‘Sandbox’ projects using actual client data for 

testing• No data governance software 

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What does this have to do with risk management?

Risk management faces different issues• Avoiding, mitigating or accepting risk

• What is the risk?• Assuring agencies, clients and stakeholders that you 

have managed the risk appropriately.• Confidence• Communication

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Putting Risk Management in Action Reliability-Centered Maintenance

• Developed by the FAA and the airlines in the 1960s

• Adopted by the US Military in the 1970s• Adopted by the nuclear power industry in the 

1980’s• Disney uses it in their theme parks

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Putting Risk Management in Action - RCM

• Business-case oriented• Formalized in SAE JA1011• Certification is available 

from Naval Air Command and others

• Risk assessment and management on steroids – all the way down to equipment component levels

SAEJA1011

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Putting Risk Management in Action - RCM

FMECA: Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis• Bottom-up• Inductive analytical method 

performed at the functional or piece-part level

• Includes criticality analysis, • Charts the probability of failure 

modes against the severity of their consequences.

ComponentFailure Potential (in 12 month period)

Criticality Factor: 1-5 (where 1 is least critical and 5 is ultra critical)

Priority Comments

Ventilator Fan -- unit 30-b1 99% 5 49.5

Filter Gasket -- g-205 98% 4 39.2Needs monthly replacement

UPS -- unit c25 60% 5 30Generator  -- unit g-5 35% 5 17.5 4 years oldHVAC Drain pump -- unit p-304 45% 3 13.5Generator  -- unit g-4 20% 5 10 2 years oldVentilator Fan -- unit 30-b2 30% 2 6

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Putting Risk Management in Action - RCM

FMECA: Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis

FMECAs are reviewed, refreshed, and maintained at least on an annual basis, with the collected data incorporated into an ongoing and dynamic failure probability analysis model.

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Putting Risk Management in Action - RCM

When evaluating and purchasing data center infrastructure equipment (generators, UPS systems, HVAC gear, etc.), demand copies of the FMECAs from the manufacturer.

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Putting Risk Management in Action - RCM

• Increasingly interface directly with corporate/enterprise risk managers.  

• They are becoming more and more conversant in RCM, failure probability analysis,

• and the associated value to the risk assessment and risk management equation.

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Rich Banta – Co-owner Lifeline Data Centers Indianapolis

Rich is responsible for compliance and certifications, data center operations, information technology, and client concierge services. He has an extensive background in server and network management, large scale wide-area networks, storage, business continuity, and monitoring. 

He is formerly the Chief Technology Officer of a major health care system. Rich is hands-on every day in the data centers. 

Certifications His certifications include: CISA – Certified Information Systems Auditor CRISC – Certified in Risk & Information Systems 

Management CDCE – Certified Data Center Expert CDCDP – Certified Data Center Design Professional CTDC - Certified TIA-942 Design Consultant CTIA - Certified TIA-942 Auditor CFCP – Certified FISMA Compliance Practitioner 

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The Risky Data Center

PanelistsDon Byrne Jack Pyne Rich Banta

Introduction and Concepts Standards OverviewApplying the Concepts