Will Heartbleed Harm Your Data Center?

By now you’ve read about the Heartbleed software bug and frantically changed your passwords online. (If you haven't, then we've used your Amazon account to buy 400 gallons of chili. Apologies.) But we wanted to know, what does it mean for data centers? Here are a couple opinions.

ESD EVP and GM of engineering Mike Kuppinger says Heartbleed has led to a bigger focus on data center security, beyond this particular threat. Some data center users were already tentative to outsource their data and secure information into colocation facilities (where they have less control), and an issue like Heartbleed will make them take a second look at their contracts, which is bad news for the small providers, he says. (There was a time when the most feared people on Earth were violent, merciless Vikings or Romans or Huns, now it's bored 15 year olds with Wi-Fi and a free afternoon.) But it’s more of a psychological hesitation, he notes, since all data, no matter where it’s housed, is still vulnerable to software threats. Now that the weather’s warmed up a bit, Mike’s looking forward to weekend Harley rides with his wife.

DCP co-founder Chris Jensen says Heartbleed has definitely been a hot topic among data center end users as they scramble for fixes. Heartbleed most affects managed service providers (anyone with a virtual presence or renting out cloud space with a strong software component), which has been a rapidly expanding tenant segment in Chicago of late, as companies look to enter the Midwest, he says. His 725 S Wells facility is half full with 2.5MW still available, and Chris is seeing most interest in the 250kW range now that users are “taking small bites out of the apple only when they’re hungry.” Chris just got back from a day at the Masters and can’t wait for golf season.