Beyond the Finish Line: What to expect from the Federal Civilian Cyber-security Strategy

by Emerson Network Power on 9/23/15 9:14 AM

Rick Holloway September 23, 2015

cybersecurity_breach

The Federal Government’s 30-day Cybersecurity Sprint ended earlier this summer, but the real work continues. Government agencies and equipment manufacturers are awaiting the results of the ongoing cybersecurity review and the release of the Federal Civilian Cybersecurity Strategy – expected soon – but the preliminary principles of the strategy are intriguing on their own.

One thing that’s clear – and not at all surprising – is the government believes the approach to the increasing cybersecurity challenge is both behavioral and equipment-focused. There is no magic bullet piece of hardware or software that will provide adequate protection against all of today’s security threats, but a combination of threat awareness, adherence to best practices and deploying and properly using today’s hardened technologies can reduce risks.

There are eight key principles that will form the foundation of the Federal Civilian Cybersecurity Strategy. They are:

1. Protecting Data: Better protect data at rest and in transit.

2. Improving Situational Awareness: Improve indication and warning.

3. Increasing Cybersecurity Proficiency: Ensure a robust capacity to recruit and retain cybersecurity personnel.

4. Increase Awareness: Improve overall risk awareness by all users.

5. Standardizing and Automating Processes: Decrease time needed to manage configurations and patch vulnerabilities.

6. Controlling, Containing, and Recovering from Incidents: Contain malware proliferation, privilege escalation, and lateral movement. Quickly identify and resolve events and incidents.

7. Strengthening Systems Lifecycle Security: Increase inherent security of platforms by buying more secure systems and retiring legacy systems in a timely manner.

8. Reducing Attack Surfaces: Decrease complexity and number of things defenders need to protect.

I doubt anyone would disagree with those points. But what can we infer if we take a closer look?

It’s not called out specifically, but a consistent theme is access awareness and control. We live in a time when everything is connected—and needs to be, to ensure our data, our networks, our lives move at the speed the world demands. But every connection is an access point, and every access point is a potential vulnerability. Understanding where those access points are and securing them through both technology and best practices is a significant first step in securing a network. This can be as simple as proper credential and password controls.

The point about replacing less secure legacy systems with more secure, modern technologies is important. While there are limits to the effectiveness of software updates and patches, equipment replacement can be costly. Organizations that value security will put plans in place to upgrade equipment over time—and the sooner they start, the better.

One of the more interesting and encouraging points in the preliminary list is the bullet about recruiting and training cybersecurity personnel. This reflects a necessary awareness of the nature of these threats. They aren’t static; hackers are evolving and devising new attacks and tactics every day. It’s critical that our IT personnel maintain the same vigilance and dedication to security and threat education.

Of course, these are simply preliminary indications of the government’s thinking. We’ll know more when the Federal CIO releases the final Federal Civilian Cybersecurity Strategy, and we’ll take a closer look at that strategy and what it means at that time.

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Topics: Data Center, Thermal Management, DCIM, monitoring, cybersecurity, security

ASHRAE Journal Invitation to Attend a Supplier-Sponsored Webinar on Upgrading Cooling Systems July 30

by Marissa Donatone on 7/27/15 8:15 AM

ASHRAE Journal Invites You to Attend a FREE Sponsored Webinar Presented by Emerson Network Power

Emerging Technologies in Controls and Automation

Data-center cooling systems must be finely tuned for high efficiency and availability to be achieved. Most systems, however, lack the advanced controls needed to optimize thermal performance. Join us as Jason Gloeckner, Marketing Manager for Thermal Software Solutions for Emerson Network Power, explains how thermal controls are changing in response to data center trends and user preferences. Jason will discuss how new thermal-control strategies can help data center managers:

  • Select the right controls technologiesdc_webcast
  • Cut installation costs
  • Avoid and defend against adverse events and reduce system wear and tear
  • Reduce cooling system energy consumption
  • Gain insight into thermal-system performance and trends to optimize data center performance

Click HERE to register for this FREE presentation.

About the Presenter

Ralph_ConklinRalph Conklin, Product Manager, Aftermarket Solutions for Thermal Management Support, Emerson Network Power:
Ralph Conklin is Product Manager, Aftermarket Solutions for Thermal Management Support, at Emerson Network Power. In his current role, Ralph manages the aftermarket parts, retrofit kits, and energy efficiency upgrade products for Emerson's industry-leading thermal management equipment. In this webinar, he will describe new ways to deploy thermal management technologies for fast ROI while improving data center efficiency, protection and insight.


Ralph has more than a decade of experience in the data center market, including positions with Emerson in Thermal Management Engineering, New Product Development and Technical Support. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from The Ohio State University and a Masters of Business Administration from Franklin University. 

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Topics: Emerson Network Power, Data Center, Thermal Management, cooling, Power and Cooling, advanced controls, data center managers, optimized performance, ASHRAE

Choosing Between VSDs and EC Fans. Making the right investment when upgrading fan technology.

by Emerson Network Power on 7/15/15 3:23 PM

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Fans that move air and pressurize the data center’s raised floor are significant components of cooling system energy use. After mechanical cooling, fans are the next largest energy consumer on computer room air condition (CRAC) units. One way many data center managers reduce energy usage and control their costs is by investing in variable speed fan technology. Such improvements can save fan energy consumption by as much as 76 percent.

With the different options on the market, it may not be clear which technology is best. Today, variable speed drives (VSDs)—also referred to as variable frequency drives or VFDs—and electrically commutated (EC) fansare two of the most effective fan improvement technologies available. The advantages of both options are outlined below to help data center managers determine which fan technology is best for achieving energy efficiency goals.

How do different fan technologies work? 
In general, variable speed fan technologies save energy by enabling cooling systems to adjust fan speed to meet the changing demand, which allows them to operate more efficiently. While cooling units are typically sized for peak demand, peak demand conditions are rare in most applications. VSDs and EC fans more effectively match airflow output with load requirements, adjusting speeds based on changing needs. This prevents overcooling and generates significant energy savings.

With VSDs, drives are added to the fixed speed motors that propel the centrifugal fans traditionally used in precision cooling units. The drives enable fan speed to be adjusted based on operating conditions, reducing fan speed and power draw as load decreases. Energy consumption changes dramatically as fan speed is decreased or increased due to the fan laws. For this reason, a 20 percent reduction in fan speed provides nearly 50 percent savings in fan power consumption.

EC fans are direct drive fans that are integrated into the cooling unit by replacing the centrifugal fans and motor assemblies. They are inherently more efficient than traditional centrifugal fans because of their unique design, which uses a brushless EC motor in a backward curved motorized impeller. EC fans achieve speed control by varying the DC voltage delivered to the fan. Independent testing of EC fan energy consumption versus VSDs found that EC fans mounted inside the cooling unit created an 18 percent savings. With new units, EC fans can be located under the floor, further increasing the savings.

How do VSDs and EC fans compare?

Energy Savings
One of the main differences between VSDs and EC fans is that VSDs save energy when the fan speed can be operated below full speed. VSDs do not reduce energy consumption when the airflow demands require the fans to operate at or near peak load. Conversely, EC fans typically require less energy even when the same quantity of air is flowing. This allows them to still save energy when the cooling unit is at full load. EC fans also distribute air more evenly under the floor, resulting in more balanced air distribution. Another benefit of direct-drive EC fans is the elimination of belt losses seen with centrifugal blowers. Ultimately, EC fans are the more efficient fan technology.

Cooling Unit Type
VSDs are particularly well-suited for larger systems with ducted upflow cooling units that require higher static pressures, while EC fans are better suited for downflow units.

Maintenance 
In terms of maintenance, EC fans offer an advantage. EC fans also reduce maintenance because they have no fan belts that wear and their integrated motors virtually eliminate fan dust.

Installation 
Both VSDs and EC fans can be installed on existing cooling units or specified in new units. When installing on existing units, factory-grade installation is a must.

Payback
In many cases, the choice between VSDs and EC fans comes down to payback. If rapid payback is a priority, then VSDs are likely the better choice. These devices can offer payback in fewer than 10 months when operated at 75 percent.

However, EC fans will deliver greater, long-term energy savings and a better return on investment (ROI). While EC fans can cost up to 50 percent more than VSDs, they generate greater energy savings and reduce overall maintenance costs, ultimately resulting in the lowest total cost of ownership.

Have the experts weigh in. 
Service professionals can be an asset in helping choose the best fan technology for a data center. Service professionals can calculate the ROI from both options, and they can recommend the best fan technologies for specific equipment.

Service professionals trained in optimizing precision cooling system performance can also ensure factory-grade installations, complete set point adjustment to meet room requirements, and properly maintain equipment, helping businesses achieve maximum cooling unit efficiency today and in the future.

Whether you ultimately decide to go with VSDs or EC fans, either way, you’ll be rewarded with a greener data center, more efficient cooling, and significant energy savings that translate into a better bottom line.


Original Emerson Network Power Blog Post

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Topics: data center energy, PUE, Battery, Efficiency, Thermal Management, DCIM, Uptime, the green grid, AHRI, availability, education, KVM, Data Center efficiency, preventative maintenance

Cut Thermal System Energy Use by up to 50%

by Marissa Donatone on 5/22/15 1:39 PM

Electrical_Engineering_highresMake sure to catch Emerson Network Power's Critical Advantage Webcast Series on Tuesday, June 9, at 1 p.m. ET

The New Era of Thermal Controls: See Where They Can Take Your Data Center

Thermal systems account for 38% of data center energy usage. A new generation of thermal system controls can help you reduce it.

Find out how by attending our Emerson Critical Advantage Webcast on May 18 – where we introduce the industry’s latest innovation in thermal system controls: the all-new Liebert® iCOM™ controls.

During our webcast, you’ll see how this new technology can:

  • Improve thermal system energy efficiency by up to 50%
  • Maximize thermal performance by harmonizing multiple cooling systems
  • Better protect your data center by improving air flow and air temperature control
  • Identify and resolve adverse conditions before it’s too late
  • Extend the life of cooling equipment by reducing wear and tear
  • Simply and easily gain insight for action into real-time thermal system operation and metrics
  • Manage every thermal system device with a single system


Register today.

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Topics: Emerson Network Power, Data Center, energy, Energy Star, Thermal Management, energy efficiency, webcast, performance, iCom

Final Day, DVL Engineering Summit in Philadelphia, PA

by Marissa Donatone on 4/24/15 8:50 AM

On behalf of DVL and the speakers from Emerson Network Power, Thank You! We had an awesome time with all our great attendees over the course of this week's DVL Engineering Summit. We concluded or Engineering Summit, today at Le Meridien Hotel, Philadelphia, PA. 

For future DVL Events be sure to check out our events page: www.dvlnet.com/events

DVL_Engineering_Summit_Philadelphia_4-24

 

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Topics: Emerson Network Power, DVL, DC Power, Thermal Management, energy efficiency, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, DVL Engineering Summit, AHRI, NFPA, Power and Cooling

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