In an era that has seen the exponential growth of technology, mobility, the Internet and connectedness, information is perhaps our most valuable asset. Data centers contain entire networks full of passwords, bank accounts, social security numbers and other data. As a result, security is of the utmost importance.

Luckily, biometric security offers a comprehensive solution. The platform makes use of an individual's unique physical characteristics a means of access control. Through the implementation of a fingerprint reader, biometric technology is a means of protecting a data center from the front door to the server cabinet.

Hackers target the U.S. government
Cyber criminals have surpassed all other external threats as the nation's biggest concern as hackers have proven capable of penetrating essentially any network – even the White House and State Department. According to The Hill, hackers infiltrated the White House's network in late October and may have attempted in infiltration into the State Department's web space more recently.

While the State Department claimed it had no details as of yet, it did hold a press conference in which officials indicated the two incidents may have been related. The Department emphasized that its classified systems remained unaffected and that the security team took measures to update its online safety protocol.

"We believe that this activity was linked to the incidents connect to the Executive Office of the President a few weeks ago," State Department spokesman Jeff Rathke said Monday during a press briefing. "I don't have a broader conclusion to draw than that at this time."

Some Congressmen and women have called for more information on the potential breach, along with more scrutiny on cybersecurity in general.

"The increased frequency and sophistication of cyber-attacks on both public and private entities highlights the need for greater collaboration to improve data security," Representative Elijah Cummins of Maryland wrote to Secretary of State John Kerry, according to The Hill. "The State Department's knowledge, information, and experience in combating data breaches will be helpful as Congress examines federal cybersecurity laws and any necessary improvements to protect sensitive consumer and government financial information."

It is as of yet unclear how the alleged hackers gained access to government network keys, but it highlights the importance data center and biometric security can play in online protection. Storing information on hard drives behind several levels of biometric access control would greatly reduce the likelihood of a breach.

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst
These days, business owners have every right to be concerned for the safety of their data. While everyone should hope their online security does not succumb to a malicious attack, it is still necessary to prepare for that possibility – and it isn't just hackers that pose a threat.

In the event of a power outage, data can be left at risk and employees may be tempted to access rooms or server cabinets that they should not, according to The Tennesseean. Even with a generator, many security systems have to be restarted manually and there is a devastating period where an entire data center may be left open with the network down.

Enter biometric security. The best platforms require authentication at the device level, meaning no network access is necessary for the platform to function. So even if your network is down, the biometric readers will provide the necessary access control.

Security risk avoidance is a never-ending game. Hackers and criminals learn how to bypass even the stingiest firewalls. But biometric security is the best way to keep your physical hardware and servers from falling into the wrong hands.