Data centers are facing higher than normal threat levels due to their rising popularity. What some facility managers might not realize is that the best prevention for these attacks are certifications.
“Certifications can play an influential role in shaping how facilities prepare for – and defend against – real-world threats,” says national security expert Brian Higgins, Founder of Group77.
Higgins, a former chief of police and director of public safety in New Jersey, says that while no certification can stop an attack on its own, the right frameworks can reduce risk and help organizations think more systemically, consistently, and defensibly about security.
“When taken seriously, certifications are practical tools for risk reduction–forcing better questions, better coordination, and better preparedness.”
Higgins explains more about how certifications can help managers, how they can be utilized and why they are important to the security process.
“At their core, certifications impose discipline. They require organizations to document risks, formalize controls, test assumptions, and prove that protections aren’t just designed, but maintained. For data centers, this moves security from an ad hoc function to a governed process.
“They also introduce external scrutiny. Independent auditors tend to see what insiders normalize: unsecured utility yards, outdated access policies, or overreliance on informal procedures. That outside perspective is often where meaningful improvements begin.”
“Several widely adopted certifications emphasize physical security, resilience, and operational continuity," Higgins says “These frameworks typically examine perimeter protection, access control, monitoring, incident response, and dependency management – areas where data centers are most vulnerable to threats.
“They also demand evidence. It’s not enough to say guards are trained or cameras are monitored; organizations must demonstrate how often training occurs, how incidents are reviewed, and how failures are corrected. This accountability helps close the gap between policy and practice.”
Higgins continues the benefits of certifications, noting that, “One underappreciated benefit of certification is organizational alignment. Many standards require collaboration between facilities, security, IT, and leadership. That means risk assessments, response plans and audits become shared responsibilities rather than siloed tasks.
“This is especially important for data centers, where physical incidents can have cascading operational and digital consequences. Certifications often force conversations that would otherwise be deferred — like utility dependencies, insider risk, and coordinated response.”
Higgins says certifications can provide assurance for unsure customers.
“Beyond internal benefits, certifications serve as a signaling mechanism. For customers, regulators, and insurers, they provide reassurance that a facility meets recognized benchmarks. In competitive markets, certification can differentiate operators who invest in resilience from those who merely claim it.
“Insurers, in particular, increasingly look at certified controls when underwriting risk. Facilities that can demonstrate mature security governance often see more favorable terms than those relying on informal safeguards.”
While Higgins encourages certifications, they are not always the end-all, be-all for managers.
“It’s important to note that certifications are not shields,” he says. “They do not prevent attacks, predict adversaries, or eliminate human error. What they do is reduce exposure by identifying known weaknesses and ensuring they are addressed before an incident forces the issue.
“They also create a cycle of continuous improvement. Most certifications require periodic reassessment, which keeps security from stagnating as threats evolve.
“In an environment where a single overlooked vulnerability can ripple across industries, a certification’s structure and rigor can make the difference between a close call and a crisis.”
Alexis Sheprak is a freelance writer based in Royal Oak, Michigan.
