Montijo Town Council: biometric access control to the data centre

2-minute readDataRoad

A Montijo Town Council chose DataRoad to install a biometric access control system at the entrance to the local authority’s data centre, thereby enhancing the physical security of one of the organisation’s most critical pieces of infrastructure.

What has been installed

The solution implemented enables all access to the data centre to be monitored and logged via biometric authentication, replacing less secure access control methods (such as shared physical keys) with a system that logs each entry individually. The project included:

• Installation of a door-opening device with a biometric sensor;
• Connecting the device to the local authority’s computer network;
• Installation and configuration of access control software, with event logging;
• Configuration of the solution and training of the team responsible for its day-to-day use.

Why is biometric access control important in a data centre?

A data centre houses an organisation’s servers, network equipment and critical data — in the case of a local authority, this includes local government management systems, residents’ data and infrastructure supporting public services. A biometric access control system eliminates the risk of keys being lost, copied or shared without authorisation, and ensures an auditable record of who accessed the premises and when — an increasingly important requirement in the context of compliance and information security in the public sector.

Unlike cards or codes, biometric data cannot be lent to others or forgotten, which significantly reduces the risk of unauthorised access to one of the most sensitive parts of any organisation’s technological infrastructure.

Security and infrastructure services for the public sector

DataRoad has experience in supporting public bodies on projects that combine network infrastructure and physical security, including:

• Biometric and card-based access control systems;
• Installation and certification of structured cabling in data centres and behind the scenes;
• Configuration of access management and logging software;
• Training of in-house teams to enable them to use the installed solutions independently.

Benefits for the customer

• Enhanced physical security at the data centre, with restricted and controlled access;
• An individual, auditable record of each entry, essential for compliance;
• Elimination of the risk associated with shared or lost physical keys;
• A team that is fully trained and able to manage the system independently following installation.

DataRoad would like to thank Montijo Town Council for choosing our IT consultancy, IT support, and IT network management and maintenance services.

Would you like to simplify your company’s IT management? DataRoad offers a full range of IT services, tailored to the needs of each business. Find out about our IT services for businesses.

DataRoad — IT services for businesses

A DataRoad is a Portuguese company specialising in managed IT services (MSP), headquartered in Alfragide (Lisbon) and with an active presence in Porto, Faro, Funchal, Évora, Setúbal and Beja. Since 2015, it has ensured the smooth running of IT infrastructures for businesses that cannot afford downtime — hotels, clinics, embassies, universities, multinationals and demanding SMEs — with a certified technical team, continuous monitoring and 24/7 support.

DataRoad supports businesses that rely on technology to operate — from network infrastructure to cybersecurity, and from servers and backups to day-to-day support — with a model of managed service (MSP) which ensures continuity, performance and cost predictability.

DataRoad Services

• IT Unlimited — round-the-clock IT support: unlimited support at a fixed cost, both remote and on-site, with incident management and rapid response.
• Computer networks and structured cabling: network design, installation and certification; Layer 3 switching and PoE.
• Enterprise wireless networks (Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7): coverage study, cloud management and isolated visitor networks.
• Cybersecurity and corporate firewalls: perimeter protection, traffic control and threat mitigation.
• Servers, backups and disaster recovery: servers, NAS devices and centralised backups.
• CCTV video surveillance: video surveillance systems with continuous recording.
• Monitoring, alarm systems and reporting: real-time monitoring, automatic alerts and proactive interventions.
• IT consultancy and project management: relocation of premises, new facilities and modernisation of infrastructure.
• Cross-platform support: Windows and Apple environments, with comprehensive management of the IT infrastructure.