In this episode of the Data Center Frontier Show podcast, DCF Editor in Chief Matt Vincent speaks with Craig Compiano, CEO, Modius.
See the original article here at datacenterfrontier.com.
TL;DR (Executive Summary)
As cyber and physical threats continue to escalate, data center security must extend beyond networks and applications to include the infrastructure layer. In this podcast conversation, industry leaders explain how modern Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) platforms play a critical role in Zero Trust strategies by providing real-time visibility into power, cooling, and physical systems that directly impact uptime and operational resilience.
- Data center security now extends beyond IT into physical and operational infrastructure
- DCIM provides real-time visibility that helps detect anomalies and reduce risk
- Zero Trust principles apply to systems and facilities—not just users and devices
- Securing power and cooling infrastructure is essential to protecting uptime
What This Podcast Covers
In this episode of the Data Center Frontier Show, Editor-in-Chief Matt Vincent speaks with Craig Compiano, CEO of Modius®, about the expanding role of Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) in modern security strategies.
The conversation focuses on how DCIM has evolved from a monitoring tool into an operational intelligence layer that supports security, resiliency, and compliance across both IT and operational technology environments.
Why Security Starts at the Infrastructure Layer
Traditional security approaches focus on networks, applications, and identities. However, many outages and operational failures originate in physical systems such as power distribution, cooling, and environmental controls.
The podcast explains why visibility into these systems is essential. Without real-time insight into infrastructure behavior, operators lack the context needed to identify abnormal conditions, enforce policy, and respond quickly to threats that could impact availability.
DCIM’s Role in a Zero Trust Architecture
Zero Trust requires continuous verification—not only of users and devices, but of systems and operational states. Infrastructure that cannot be observed or validated in real time becomes a blind spot.
DCIM supports Zero Trust principles by enabling the following capabilities:
- Providing a trusted source of truth for infrastructure operations
- Continuously validating power, cooling, and environmental conditions
- Enabling secure integration with IT and security platforms
- Reducing risk created by siloed or fragmented monitoring tools
Operational Scenarios Discussed
The podcast explores real-world examples where DCIM contributes directly to security and resilience.
- Detecting abnormal power or cooling behavior that signals risk
- Correlating infrastructure events with IT incidents
- Supporting secure access controls and auditability
- Improving response time during operational or security events
These scenarios highlight how infrastructure visibility strengthens both operational continuity and security posture.
Listen to the Podcast
Read the original article and listen to the full podcast episode on Data Center Frontier:
Podcast: DCIM (Data Center Infrastructure Management) and Its Role in Data Center Security
Consider Modius OpenData®
Modius OpenData is a DCIM platform built around real-time, trusted data. It brings power, cooling, environmental, and asset information into one clear view so operators can see what is happening across their facilities.
OpenData connects with other operations and IT tools, helping teams identify issues early, make safer changes, and operate data centers with greater confidence. The platform provides real-time visibility into physical infrastructure, supporting Zero Trust strategies by strengthening security, uptime, and operational resilience.
The DCIM Buyer’s Guide explains how to evaluate DCIM platforms, compare features, and plan a rollout: https://modius.com/dcim-buyers-guide/
About Modius
Modius delivers real-time, scalable infrastructure management software for critical facilities, including data centers, telecom environments, and smart buildings. The OpenData platform unifies operational and IT systems into a single view across power, cooling, environmental, and IT assets.
By reducing tool fragmentation and enabling predictive analytics, capacity planning, and visualization, Modius supports operational visibility across white and gray space.
Contact: sales@modius.com | (888) 323-0066 | www.modius.com
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is DCIM in the context of data center security?
Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) refers to platforms that provide real-time visibility into power, cooling, environmental, and physical systems that directly affect data center uptime, resilience, and security.
How does DCIM support Zero Trust strategies?
DCIM supports Zero Trust by enabling continuous verification of infrastructure conditions, providing a trusted source of operational data, and reducing blind spots created by siloed monitoring tools.
Why is infrastructure visibility important for data center security?
Many outages and operational failures originate in physical systems such as power and cooling. Without real-time visibility into these systems, operators cannot quickly identify abnormal conditions or respond effectively to threats that impact availability.
What operational scenarios highlight the security value of DCIM?
The podcast discusses scenarios such as detecting abnormal power or cooling behavior, correlating infrastructure events with IT incidents, supporting auditability, and improving response times during operational or security events.