CBTS Data Center

CBTS provides its data center customers with best-of-breed technology platforms that offer on-demand dedicated or shared access to a comprehensive suite of services. These services span the entire IT lifecycle, including Infrastructure Monitoring and Management, Full Outsourcing, and a specialized Enterprise Network Operations Center (ENOC). For support, they offer a Tier 1 Service Desk, moving through Tier 2 and Tier 3 Incident Management for complex issues, underpinned by Advanced Engineering and Operations.

To ensure optimal operation and compliance, CBTS's offerings include services focused on high-level strategy and process management. This encompasses Architecture and Design, ensuring IT infrastructure is built soundly, alongside strong processes for IT Governance. Furthermore, they handle essential operational controls through established practices for Change Management, Release Management, and Problem Management, aiming to provide stable and efficient facilities for their clients.

CBTS's core competency is providing a stable and efficient environment for clients to operate their IT infrastructure. They own and operate ten (10) geographically dispersed data centers in the Midwest. This strategic positioning allows them to leverage their own transport grid, redundant utilities, and security platforms. For companies, this offers the benefits of a hardened data center without the significant burden of capital expenditures associated with building and maintaining their own facilities.

A major advantage for CBTS is its status as a subsidiary of Cincinnati Bell, which provides a wide variety of bandwidth and connectivity options. Cincinnati Bell has peering agreements with all major telecommunications carriers, offering clients flat-rate bandwidth from DSx to OCx speeds, as well as tiered burstable connectivity via Level 3's IP backbone. CBTS also operates a unique DWDM fiber loop that connects all ten data centers, facilitating robust business continuity and disaster recovery options.

CBTS data centers are designed for 100% redundancy throughout their power delivery system. Power enters the facility from two separate public utility grids. Inside, it is routed through separate power feeds from disparate UPS systems, ensuring that if a power outage occurs, the battery system kicks in immediately. Within one minute, backup generators come online, a process that is transparent to customer equipment. Additionally, all customer cabinets are properly grounded and protected by anti-static measures.

All environmental controls in CBTS data centers have N+1 redundancy capability. Temperature is continuously monitored and maintained between 70 – 74 degrees, and relative humidity is kept between 40% – 60%. A building environmental management system monitors all units 24x7. For fire safety, they use a state-of-the-art fire suppression system called VESDA (Very Early Smoke Detection System Appliance), which proactively monitors for smoke and particulates, immediately alerting the ENOC and on-site personnel.

CBTS employs a rigorous seven (7) tier security approach to safeguard customer data. All facilities are secured with 24x7 guards, closed-circuit TV monitoring, electronic card-key access, and strict access procedures. Furthermore, their data centers are structurally sound; the Cincinnati Data Center, built in 1930, features triple wall construction (brick, 12” reinforced concrete, brick) and a "flexible" foundation designed to absorb earth movement, providing superior disaster protection.

CBTS demonstrates a commitment to regulatory compliance through annual SAS 70 Type II audits, with compliance verification reports available to customers. Every three years, they include a HIPAA Compliance audit to cover their obligations as a "Business Associate" protecting Protected Health Information (PHI). For network integration, they offer a Private extension of your network within their facility, providing Layer 2 or Layer 3 agnostic connectivity (via MPLS, VPN, etc.), allowing the Virtual Data Center to appear as a seamless site on a client's private network, manageable through a web portal.