Data centres are places where companies’ most important resources are stored: servers, applications, systems and data. Any disruption to their operation, even if short-lived, can result in serious losses. Although we usually think of cyber threats such as hacker attacks or malware, temperature and humidity have an equally significant impact on infrastructure stability.
Monitoring environmental conditions has become one of the key elements of ensuring business continuity and IT security. Below, we explain why even small changes in parameters can affect the functioning of a data centre — and how this relates to cybersecurity.
Why is temperature so important?
Servers generate a lot of heat, and the stability and longevity of the entire infrastructure depends on their proper cooling.
Excessive temperatures can lead to:
- reduced device performance,
- sudden emergency shutdowns,
- accelerated equipment wear and tear,
- serious failures and costly downtime.
Importantly, overheating often does not affect the entire server room, but only one specific cabinet or even a single device. Without properly placed sensors, it is difficult to detect this in time.
That is why monitoring at critical points – at the air inlet to the server, in ‘hot aisles’ or inside rack cabinets – is now standard practice.
Humidity – an often underestimated factor
Air humidity is another parameter that has a huge impact on electronics. Too high can lead to condensation and corrosion, too low increases the risk of electrostatic discharge (ESD), which can destroy delicate components.
Even the ideal temperature is not enough if the air is too dry or too humid. That is why complete monitoring
in a data centre must include both parameters.
Why is 24/7 monitoring a necessity?
Modern monitoring systems such as CoolSens:
- record data continuously,
- send notifications of exceedances,
- enable trend analysis and precise air conditioning control,
- help to respond quickly to any deviations from the norm.
This makes it possible to detect problems before they turn into failures. It also translates into real savings: stable environmental conditions reduce energy consumption, extend equipment life and minimise the risk of unplanned downtime.
Monitoring and cybersecurity — a surprisingly important combination
Many people associate temperature and humidity exclusively with the technical side of server room operation. Meanwhile, monitoring devices are now a fully-fledged part of IT infrastructure — they communicate remotely, use IoT protocols and transmit data in real time. This means that they must be as well secured as other elements of the network.
In this context, it is worth referring to the Inventia article:
👉 Cybersecurity — no catches or hidden costs. What are we introducing today?
In it, we describe, among other things, issues related to secure communication, encryption and the protection of telemetry modules. These are exactly the same areas that should be of interest to data centre operators using environmental monitoring systems.
After all, it is not just a matter of collecting temperature data — it is important that it is transmitted securely and cannot be falsified.
Accurate time means accurate data — about time synchronisation in monitoring
Time synchronisation is an often overlooked but very important element of monitoring system security.
If devices do not have synchronised time, data recording may appear chaotic:
- alerts appear in the wrong order,
- incident analysis is difficult,
- reports are inconsistent,
- and possible events (e.g. suspicious parameter changes) are difficult to link to other system logs.
This is why telemetry system manufacturers emphasise that good time synchronisation is the foundation of data reliability. We also discuss this topic in an article on the Inventia blog:
👉 Ensure on data consistency and reliable system operation – time synchronisation in telemetry devices
In data centres, environmental monitoring is often linked to security systems and IT logs. For this to make sense, all devices must operate on the same timeline – otherwise, problem diagnostics become virtually impossible.
Monitoring temperature and humidity in data centres is an absolute necessity today. It helps to avoid failures, reduce costs, extend the life of equipment, and ensure compliance with security requirements.
Importantly, environmental monitoring is now an integral part of IT infrastructure, so it must be properly secured. Communication encryption, updates, secure protocols, and consistent time synchronisation are elements that determine its reliability.
With properly implemented sensors, you can not only protect your equipment but also create a solid foundation for your entire IT security system. Choose a proven solution such as CoolSens and be sure that the environmental conditions in your data centre are under constant control!
