Why Data Centers and Critical Infrastructure Rely on ASIAL Class 5 Security
Every second counts in a high-risk environment such as government agencies, banking institutions, data centers, correctional facilities, energy utilities, and other specialized sites. Industries of this caliber are the backbone of our everyday lives, keeping everything from our economy to national security running smoothly. However, with such importance comes a great deal of responsibility and the need for access control and security solutions that comply with the most stringent regulations.
The security stakes for critical facilities
Why do these industries require high security solutions?
- Compliance obligations: critical infrastructures are subject to strict regulatory requirements to ensure security and operational integrity
- Downtime and breach impact:
- Government agencies: Downtime can compromise the security of sensitive areas, delay critical operations, and leave classified information vulnerable to unauthorized people. A breach could expose national security secrets or even disrupt public safety operations.
- Financial institutions: A breach or delay could allow unauthorized individuals to access vaults, data centers, or customer records, leading to financial losses, reputational damage, and regulatory penalties.
- Interconnectedness of systems: These facilities are often deeply integrated, meaning a failure or vulnerability in one component (such as a smart thermostat) can cascade into other connected systems, like surveillance cameras or elevators. If one system is compromised, it can trigger a chain reaction, amplifying the overall impact and making recovery significantly more difficult.
By choosing an ASIAL Class 5 certified system, these organizations can operate with peace of mind, assured that their security solution is efficient and effective in preventing breaches. Recognized as the gold standard for security systems, ASIAL Class 5 sets a high benchmark for what it means to protect critical information and operations a a high level.
Why ASIAL Class 5 is the benchmark for high-risk sectors?
ASIAL (Australian Security Industry Association Limited) guides the development of codes of conduct and standards for security development, installation, maintenance, and training across Australia. Class 5, as defined by the AS/NZS 2201.1:2007, sets a high level of security requirements to protect critical infrastructure, high-risk facilities, and other sensitive operations. Incorporating both physical security and cybersecurity measures ensure full protection.
This certification is specifically intended for environments where any breach could have catastrophic consequences. Achieving and maintaining compliance with Class 5 certification means that a system has been rigorously tested and proven to withstand sophisticated tampering, intrusion attempts, and operational disruptions. Importantly, Class 5 certification is based on the entire solution implementation, not just individual components. This holistic approach ensures that the system as a whole delivers the level of protection required for zero tolerance for failure, and where reliability is non-negotiable.
Here’s why Class 5 is the benchmark:
1. Polling: Constant communication for security
Polling refers to the continuous communication between security devices (alarms, access control systems, and monitoring centers) to ensure everything is functioning properly.
- How it works: Devices ‘check in’ with the central monitoring system at frequent intervals (eg. Every 20 seconds). If a device fails to respond, it triggers an alert.
- Why it matters: This ensures that any tampering, failure, or downtime is detected immediately, minimizing vulnerabilities. For high-risk sectors, this constant communication is critical to maintaining security at all times.
2. Uptime: Always-on security
Uptime refers to the reliability and availability of security systems. Class 5 standards demand near-perfect uptime to ensure there are no gaps in protection
- How it works: Systems are designed with redundancy, meaning there are backups for every critical component (power supplies, communication lines, and servers). If one part fails, another takes over instantly.
- Why it matters: High-risk sectors can’t afford downtime. For example, a data center experiencing a security system failure could be exposed to breaches or operational disruptions. Class 5 ensures that security systems are always operational, even during power outages or technical failures.
3. Encryption: Protecting data from cyber threats
Encryption is the process of converting data into a secure code to prevent unauthorized access. Class 5 systems use advanced encryption to protect sensitive information
- How It Works: All communication between devices, such as access control systems, alarms, and monitoring centers, is encrypted. This means even if someone intercepts the data, they can’t read or use it without the encryption key.
- Why It Matters: High-risk sectors handle sensitive data, whether it’s classified government information or financial records. Encryption ensures that this data remains secure, even in the face of cyberattacks or hacking attempts.
So when a single minute can compromise public safety, Class 5 can deliver resilience.
Learn more about an ASIAL Class 5 security solution
ICT’s Advantage: Reliability without rigidity
99.95% guaranteed uptime and polling every 20 seconds means the system remains connected to the monitoring station ensuring that any disruption is immediately detected.
Why does 99.95% uptime matter in critical infrastructure?
When you see a system which has 99.95% guaranteed uptime, it means the security infrastructure is designed to be operational almost all the time, with only minimal downtime allowed - less than 4.5 hours per year.
Engineered for resilience, security, and verified access
Layered redundancy: Multiple network paths, power supplies and hardware components keep the system online even when individual elements fail.
Secure communication: End‑to‑end encryption and tamper detection protect data integrity and mitigate malicious interference.
Verified access: Dual authentication methods (PIN, biometric and card options) strengthen security at every entry point.
This level of reliability is critical for high-risk sectors like government agencies, data centers, and energy utilities, where even a brief lapse in security can lead to significant consequences.
The Annual Cyber Threat Report 2024-2025, reveals that ASD’s ACSC received 44,700 cybercrime reports through Report Cyber – averaging one every 6 minutes. The most targeted sectors included Government, financial services, healthcare, IT and Telecoms. Prevention is key to staying ahead of threats. Cybercriminals are relentless, but with the right defenses in place, you can protect your organization and maintain the trust of your customers.
Discover how ICT’s ASIAL Class 5 certified solutions deliver the highest level of security for critical environments. Download our high security solution guide.
The cost of downtime and non-compliance
For high risk sectors, even a minute of downtime can be costly. Lost service time means lost contracts, damaged customer trust and breach of SLA. The impact goes further, including government continuity, national infrastructure and community safety. ASIAL Class 5 certification gives you peace of mind that your systems will prevent these outcomes. It’s about operational integrity and reputation, rather than simply meeting compliance requirements.
How ICT supports critical operations
At ICT, we know achieving compliance shouldn’t come at the cost of flexibility. ICT security solutions are open, and trusted worldwide, with over 30,000 installations to date. Backed by ASIAL Class 5 certification, ISO/IEC 27001 and NIS2 Directive certification, ICT stands as your trusted partner in high-security solutions. ICT’s systems maintain continuous monitoring and communication without complexity. Our hardware and software work together to simplify certification, reduce deployment friction and give you full visibility and control of your site’s security. The following products proudly meet Class 5 certification standards:
- Protege GX and WX controllers and software,
- TSL and tSec card readers, protege Touch Sense keypads,
- ArmorIP Internet monitoring,
- ICT DIN Rail enclosure
With an ICT high-security solution your site benefits from:
- Uncompromising security standards
- Regulatory compliance
- Enhanced trust and credibility
- Resilience against threats
- Future-proofing security
ASIAL Class 5 implementation and maintenance
Implementing an ASIAL Class 5 certified system requires strategic planning and meticulous attention to detail. Organizations must ensure every aspect, from design to operation, meets the highest security standards. Certification involves rigorous testing to verify the system can withstand sophisticated tampering and intrusion attempts, detailed documentation, and strict operational protocols to verify the system’s resilience.
Ongoing maintenance is essential to sustain peak performance and compliance, including regular inspections, reporting, and prompt issue resolution. Regular audits ensure the system remains ready to protect critical operations. Investing in implementation and maintenance not only safeguards assets but also builds trust with stakeholders and demonstrates a commitment to security.
Organizations must be prepared to invest the necessary time and resources into both the implementation and ongoing maintenance of their Class 5 system. Achieving and maintaining Class 5 certification goes beyond regulatory compliance—it ensures your system delivers unmatched protection for your most vital operations.
Future proofing high security infrastructure
Installers are encouraged to obtain ICT Protege certifications to ensure best practices on installation and encouraged to get the AS/NZS 2201.1:2007 Class 5 certification, with an ACA Open Cabling Registration to install security cabling. Contractors and/or employees must also hold any relevant state or federal security industry licensing that may become required.
