Physical security guidelines
Last update: October 2024
Next review: October 2025
This document provides the rules to be followed by anyone present in a technical site (datacenter, netcenter, point of presence, technical room in office sites, etc.). It is applicable to both regular workers in such sites and occasional visitors. It is applicable to BICS personnel (holding a BICS badge) and to external visitors.
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Access is restricted to authorized people
A person entering in a technical site must have a proper authorization, valid during the day of the visit. This is valid for anyone, being a BICS employee or contractor, or an external visitor. This is valid even if the person is accompanied by an authorized person.
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Badge must be visible and worn all the time during the presence in the technical site
Every person visiting or working in a technical site must wear their corporate or visitor badge all the time, and the badge must be visible at all times. When applicable, badge must be returned after the visit to the technical site, as explained when the badge was provided.
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Badges must be presented individually when entering an area protected by badge readers
If some doors or entrances in a technical site are protected with badge readers, all the persons must present their badge on the reader. No one can enter as the same time as another person, without presenting their badge.
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Doors must be kept closed
At any time, all the doors must be kept closed, except if it is clearly specified and indicated that a specific door must be kept open. Anyone finding an open door must close it immediately.
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Equipment must not be moved or taken outside of the technical site without a proper authorization
This is applicable to all the equipment present in the technical site (IT, safety, signage, etc.). In particular, safety equipment must remain in their specific place. Extinguishers must remain under the signage indicating their presence. Anyone finding a piece of equipment that is not in the correct place must put it back in its place.
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Instructions displayed in some specific areas must be respected
If some specific instructions are displayed in certain areas (ex: delivery and loading areas), they must be strictly followed.
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Any work in the technical site must have a prior authorization
Any work made on a piece of equipment must be authorized and must have followed the change management process, or the maintenance process.
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Clear desk and clear screen policies must be observed when working in technical sites
Whenever leaving the desk temporarily, user session must be locked. Desks must be kept clear when leaving the work position.
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Videos and photos are prohibited
Taking videos or photos in a technical site is prohibited, except if authorized for a valid reason (incident reporting, audit evidence, etc.). Videos and photos taken must be protected as highly confidential data.
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Any signage must be respected accordingly
All the signage present in the technical site must be properly followed. Exceptions to this must be requested and authorized.
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Any incident must be reported immediately
Anyone noticing an incident must report them immediately. Any irregularity or alarm or infraction to these guidelines must be reported immediately. See contact details at the end of the document.
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The technical site must be evacuated immediately in case of fire
In case of fire alert, the technical site must be evacuated immediately, with no delay. Evacuation roads and meeting points signage must be strictly followed. Equipment should not be taken during evacuation process. This is valid even if fire seems under control or if false positive alerts or evacuation exercises are suspected.
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Premises must be kept clean at all time
Any equipment or material must be kept in the place they were attributed. Corridors and entrance must be kept free, allowing, in particular, a quick exit in case of fire. Waste sorting instructions must be followed properly. All the areas must be kept clean, and any dirt must be cleaned as soon as possible.
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Smoking is fully prohibited
Smoking is fully prohibited (including electronic cigarettes) in a technical site. Smoking is only allowed outside of the site, or in dedicated areas identified as smoking areas. Any activity that can cause smoke particles is not allowed.
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Eating and drinking is fully prohibited
Food and drinks are not allowed in a technical site. Eating and drinking are only allowed in dedicated areas (kitchen, meal areas, etc.).
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Chemical products are fully prohibited
Chemical products (including flammable products) cannot be introduced in the technical sites, except if specifically authorized.
Contact details
Site |
Contact details |
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Datacenter in Belgium |
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Datacenter in France (Marseille) |
BICS needs to be informed via BICS Customer care |
Other site (netcenter, PoP, technical room in office sites, etc.) |
BICS needs to be informed via BICS Customer care |