Kentix Innovative Security – Success on the IoT Frontier

The widespread adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) will take time, but the time line has advanced thanks to improvements in underlying technologies.

Advances in wireless networking technology and the greater standardization of communications protocols make it possible to collect data from sensors almost anywhere at any time. Massive increases in storage and computing power, some of it available via cloud computing, make number crunching possible at very large scale and at declining cost.

None of this is news to technology companies on the frontier of adoption. But as these technologies mature, the range of corporate deployments will increase.

Introducing Kentix Innovative Security – we have been applying IoT before it became the new frontier.

As we examine the definitions and benefits of IoT – we look at how the Kentix solution,  proven technology and deployed in several countries; utilizing IoT application and concept into practical day to day use, and how these can mitigate human error and streamline information  and security processes.

Now is the time for executives across all industries to structure their thoughts about the potential impact and opportunities likely to emerge from the Internet of Things. Research companies such as McKinsey; see six distinct types of emerging applications, which fall in two broad categories: first, information and analysis, and second, automation and control.

Six distinct types of applications are emerging in two broad categories:Cloud-Industrie-300x300

– Information and analysis

– Automation and control

As the new networks link data from products, company assets, or the operating environment, they will generate better information and analysis, which can enhance decision making significantly. Some organizations are starting to deploy these applications in targeted areas, while more radical and demanding uses are still in the conceptual or experimental stages.

In the business-to-business marketplace, one well-known application of IoT involves using sensors to track RFID (radio-frequency identification) tags placed on products moving through supply chains,  improving inventory management while reducing working capital and logistics costs. Manufacturers of jet engines retain ownership of their products while charging airlines for the amount of thrust used. Airplane manufacturers are building airframes with networked sensors that send continuous data on product wear and tear to their computers, allowing for proactive maintenance and reducing unplanned downtime.

In the datacenter, RFID is used for access security, and asset management. Kentix incorporates RFID and allows existing system integration. Mifare, Legic or other; we can be another seamless addition for physical access security.

     1. Tracking Behavior

When products are embedded with sensors, companies can track the movements of these products and even monitor interactions with them. Business models can be fine-tuned to take advantage of this data.

Who is in the Colocation (colo) area? Who is in the server rack? Was it left open? What was the consumption of the rack during July 4th holiday? How is my CRAC unit running in this warmer than usual July? What is the current condition of temp, humidity, dew point, is there any equipment oscillation from an overworked fan motor?

With our Kentix system we monitor and track EVERYTHING. It is all time stamped, documented and available. Kentix innovation is what differentiates this system. The Kentix MultiSensor® Technology,  is one box solution. ALL IN, to ensure critical equipment protection.  It is the anticipated that we prevent- and the unexpected that we catch.  Surprises occur when you are constantly monitoring and logging.      screen-collageiphone-hand-right_new-110

And even better-with the ever looming possibility of an eminent breach – you will know immediately to take action immediately.

     2. Enhanced Situational Awareness

Data from large numbers of sensors, deployed in infrastructure (such as roads and buildings) or to report on environmental conditions (including soil moisture, ocean currents, or weather), can give decision makers a heightened awareness of real-time events, particularly when the sensors are used with advanced display or visualization technologies.

Security personnel can use sensor networks that combine video, audio, and vibration detectors to spot unauthorized individuals who enter restricted areas. Our Innovative Kentix system utilizes multi-sensor technology and allows for extended security systems.

We already use elements of these technologies, and more far-reaching applications are in the works as our Kentix sensors become smaller and more powerful, and software systems that we interface with more adept at analyzing and displaying captured information.

Managers are increasing their ability to have control of critical facilities and mitigating costs for any equipment disruption. Ensuring a network’s effective capacity, increased ability, and running uptime.

     3. Sensor – Driven Decision Analytics

The Internet of Things also can support longer-range, more complex human planning and decision making. The technology requirements — tremendous storage and computing resources linked with advanced software systems that generate a variety of graphical displays for analyzing data — rise accordingly.

In health care, sensors and data links offer possibilities for monitoring a patient’s behavior and symptoms in real time and at relatively low cost, allowing physicians to better diagnose disease and prescribe tailored treatment regimens.

We consider it the same application – knowing the “health of your facility and equipment at anytime”.

Allowing the authorized systems manager to analyze thermal conditions, power conditions and consumption, assists in making decisions of possible equipment upgrades, deployment of Equipment recirculation barriers, or containment, and even analyzing when these measures are used.

Knowing when conditions have repeatedly occur, multiple power supplies failing in one location repeatedly, continued humidity alarms in one area only, allow for assessing larger equipment or power concerns.blogImage

Or consider that when the decision is made for “mapping and modeling” with software for efficiencies, you should have a tool in place that keeps those new measures monitored, and stable, after all why go through the process, when you cannot effectively keep conditions optimum and in the “best health”.

 Automation and Control

Making data the basis for automation and control means converting the data and analysis collected through the Internet of Things into instructions that feed back through the network to actuators that in turn modify processes. Closing the loop from data to automated applications can raise productivity, as systems that adjust automatically to complex situations make many human interventions unnecessary. Advanced automated systems will be adopted by organizations as these technologies develop further.

     4. Process Optimization

The Internet of Things is opening new frontiers for improving processes. Some industries, such as chemical production, are installing  sensors to bring much greater granularity to monitoring The information is provided real time, and  can lead to that adjustments in processes — for example, by modifying ingredient mixtures, based on temperatures. The Kentix system provides the real time information on the status of the network and the servers that are processing this data. We offer assistance in operational excellence.                            network_management

This improved instrumentation, layered through an entire process, allows for major reductions in waste, energy costs, and human intervention. Kentix lets you know instantly of any network issue, or subsequent physical disturbance. Several companies have increased energy efficiency by using Kentix Rack sensors whose data is always automatically logged. Reducing temperatures based on building fluctuations during seasonal shifts improved performance quality and eliminated the need for frequent operator intervention.

     5. Optimized Resource Consumption

Networked sensors and automated feedback mechanisms can change usage patterns. Commercial customers can shift energy-intensive processes and production away from high-priced periods of peak energy demand to low-priced off-peak hours.

Data centers, which are among the fastest-growing segments of global energy demand, are starting to adopt power-management techniques tied to information feedback. Power consumption is often half of a typical facility’s total lifetime cost, but most managers lack a detailed view of energy consumption patterns. Getting such a view isn’t easy, since the energy usage of servers spikes at various times, depending on workloads. Furthermore, many servers draw some power 24/7 but are used mostly at minimal capacity, since they are tied to specific operations. The Kentix team has developed sensors that can monitor each server’s power usage, which can provide further information for employing software that balances computing loads and eliminates the need for underused servers and storage devices. Power is monitored and logged over time, and Kentix can critically alert on voltage fluctuations, which is detrimental to computing devices.

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New storage devices which “simplify” your converged infrastructure require monitoring and care, the hardware that provides this new technology is expensive, and a critical equipment foundation block to the overall IT operations. Deploying Kentix KMS-Racks to continuously monitor ensures protection of expensive new technology hardware. Further – the convenience of having the information on your mobile device puts action in your hands.

Allowing for reporting and security, as in the example of a small team managing multiple fiber sites across the US; the ease of having a system that can be the sentry in those locations. Saving operational resources and the need for expensive travel. Access, camera, environment, power and more reported at any time to your tablet or phone, and at the same time the NOC (network operations center). Several data centers have already adopted the Kentix technology, which could assist in IoT becoming standard features of data center infrastructure within a few years. The Kentix system has been deployed and running as a reliant partner for over 5 years, and does serve as a compliance offering when utilized to assist ISO 27001 throughout Europe, and increasing in the US. For more info on ISO 27001, click this link here: ISO27001 info.

     6. Complex Autonomous Systems

The most demanding use of the Internet of Things involves the rapid, real-time sensing of unpredictable conditions and instantaneous responses guided by automated systems. This kind of machine decision making mimics human reactions, though at vastly enhanced performance levels. The potential capital expense reduction and savings flowing from wider deployment of IoT could surpass several billion annually. Some companies and research organizations are experimenting with additional forms of deployment that monitor at the very small level. The Kentix KMS-Mini was added to our system two years ago, to provide Temp/Humidity/Dew point/ -3 part motion, vibration, and a true Open/Close door contact Alarm for server racks, and similar often crowded equipment spaces.

The latest Kentix release – a new series of both wired and wireless cylinders that operate and secure doors and server racks – to add and complete the comprehensive physical security system that is controlled by those authorized to do so, whenever or wherever they may be.       Kentix-Grafik-Access-Produkte-v2_EN_fuer_web

Government agencies, Financial institutions, Hospitals and Medical centers, Universities, Data and Fiber Carriers,  all have equipment that’s critical , supporting day to day backbone of our lives.

In fact – as CEO Thomas Fritz said, “Every business is digital business. Today businesses are strongly dependent on IT. It is even more important to make these critical infrastructures as secure as possible. That is the Kentix approach; developing the best systems for the physical monitoring and security of ever growing IT infrastructures.”

With our Kentix, we have developed a much more efficient product than previously available in the marketplace.  In a simple effective way, we have significantly improved the monitoring of small, and large IT infrastructures alike. We rely on new technologies that interconnect our products over IoT letting them communicate faster and more reliably.

Of global IT infrastructures, 80% are not thoroughly secured against physical risks. Security is required and must be in place, Various enterprises and authorities, from all business sectors protect their IT systems against physical threats with Kentix MultiSensor Technology.

The use of wireless mesh networks and modern web technology enables fast and easy system integration. Kentix products avoid disruptions in the operating environment, secure systems against theft and sabotage, and report the impact of human error – to ensure optimal IT availability.

For more info visit Kentix Overview.

About the author: Tanja Lewit is managing director for Kentix US and has been involved in the manufacture and application of  remote monitoring devices, power measurements and data center security for over 10 years. Utilizing new technologies for practical client application and risk mitigation, is her passion.

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