Re: New building south of the new dining hall at Area 51



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Message posted by Rob (Member since 03/13/2018) on May 16, 2023 at 11:38:02 PST:

Equinix data centers are all multitenant, though. Backup generators are usually not stored inside a building, but are typically either roof mounted (as in my photo) or they are placed in a separate outbuilding or shelter. As for HVAC, you can see the large air handlers in the GE image of the new building.

Classified data has to be stored on a separate, disconnected network, yes. However, A) there are many more data needs that a facility like this will have than just classified (unclassified data, applications, email) and B) it's perfectly possible for the required SIPRNet or JWICS servers to be housed elsewhere.

Thing is JWICS isn't used much outside the intelligence community and SIPRNet is only for data classified as SECRET, not TS/SCI, which MUST be housed on disconnected servers.

So there are two possibilties: these are SIPRNet servers, housing only SECRET (and lower) data or these are servers containing TS/SCI data. In either case, I don't know if the requirements have changed, but back in the day this facility would have to be essentially inside a SCIF, with required TEMPEST shielding, physical access controls, a foyer area where employees can place electronics prior to entering the facility (no cell phones, no cameras, no computing devices, no radio), etc. (Heck, they don't even let you take in a notepad).

While they could have NIPRNet servers (for unclassified information), more and more for unclassified data, the DoD is relying on third-party cloud providers, a mix of SaaS, PaaS, nd IaaS, these days. AWS, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud all have DoD contracts to provide services to the DoD.

Anyway, given that the datacenter is physically located on a secret military base, I don't think the base would have any issue getting a ATO or cATO from DoD at all as long as it's properly disconnected from the public Internet.


In Reply to: Re: New building south of the new dining hall at Area 51 posted by The Doctor on May 15, 2023 at 9:49:32 PST:

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