Use state-of-the-art cabinet solutions from Cannon Technologies to keep vital equipment protected and secure
Good things come in secure packages.
National infrastructure companies and other market sectors requiring high-performance infrastructure for Security, Surveillance, and Public Address (PA) systems are increasingly turning to Cannon Technologies’ state-of-the-art SR3 certified Micro Data Centre solutions to keep vital equipment protected and secure.
Cabinet meeting
As part of a UK-wide improvement programme, infrastructure and utility companies have been upgrading operational sites in line with commitments to a customer-focused, risk-based approach to business continuity – aligned with the National Risk Register. Among emerging priorities, the increased risk of terrorism has become a significant factor in security investment planning.
In 2016, a pioneering security risk-based approach was introduced by one such utility, earning recognition at the 2017 CIR Risk Management Awards for Risk Management Programme of the Year. This approach has been supported by national authorities including Defra and the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI).
To maintain exceptional levels of service and protect equipment used for mission-critical security and surveillance, companies have partnered with Cannon Technologies to deploy secure and thermally stable enclosures. Based on the highly successful S-TYPE Active Cabinet, a new dual ACU redundant solution was developed as a flexible and cost-effective alternative to constructing new buildings for housing sensitive systems.
A project team member commented:
“When it comes to outdoor cabinets, our top concerns are security, resilience, and functionality. We worked closely with Cannon Technologies to explore the possibility of encapsulating these qualities within a Medium Sized Modular or Micro Data Centre unit. They offered invaluable design and manufacturing expertise.”
Mark Awdas, Engineering Director at Cannon Technologies, adds:
“We were tasked with designing an IP and SR3-certified Outdoor Micro Data Cabinet that provided secure yet easy access to housed equipment. The result was the creation of the S-Type Protect.”
Features and benefits
The S-Type Micro DC secure cabinet features an ‘in-ground root or plinth’ mounting system suited for placement into or on concrete pads. Rated up to IP65, it is available in widths of 1100mm to 1700mm and depths of 1000mm to 1200mm. The cabinet offers streamlined access to the thermal management dual ACU system, consumer unit, fire suppressant, alarm unit, UPS, and main power & communications cable ducts.
Key capabilities include:
Mains electricity connection through a robust consumer unit powering the thermostatically controlled ACU, heaters, and internal equipment.
Optional NGEN Estate upgrade for remote lock access, fan monitoring, intrusion detection, and environmental alarms – fully integrated via SNMP over IP.
The cabinet and doors are built from 3mm thick Z600 pre-galvanised steel with an 85-90μ powder coating for durability and resistance to environmental factors.
Security guard
Security remains paramount. Each cabinet features an SR3-certified locking system and stainless steel swing handle locks (remotely or locally operated), with a double D profile lock body for enhanced security. Geographic keying and electronic keyless entry further reduce risk from lost or stolen keys.
Certified by the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) to LPS1175 Security Rating 3 (SR3), the cabinets have resisted professional attacks using a broad array of tools for up to 20 minutes – ensuring robust physical security. Products certified to LPS1175 SR3 standards have resisted a series of professional attacks, each lasting up to 20 minutes, using a wide variety of tools including the following:
| Type | Maximum dimension / power / weight | Quantity‡ |
| Adhesive tape (reel) | 75 mm wide | 1 |
| Cable cutter | 200 mm long | 1 |
| Cargo strap (selection) | 25 mm wide strap with cam buckle | 1§ |
| Electric cable (Single core) | 1.2 mm diameter wire / 1 m long | 1 |
| Engineers hooks (selection) | – | 1§ |
| Firefighter’s key | – | 1 |
| Fishing line (e.g. polypropylene multi fibre) | Reel | 1 |
| Fishing hooks (selection) | – | 1§ |
| Flexible plastic coupon | – | 1 |
| Glass cutter | – | 1 |
| Hexagon wrenches (selection) | 200 mm long | 1§ |
| Knife | 125 mm long x 3 mm thick blade | 1 |
| Lever (including nail pullers, prybars and utility bars) | 300 mm long / 0.7 kg | 1 |
| Pliers (selection, including self- gripping and cutting) | 200 mm long | 1§ |
| Punches (selection, including flat and pointed tipped) | 200 mm long | 1§ |
| Rope (selection, non-metallic) | 20 mm diameter | 1§ |
| Screwdriver | 6.5 mm diameter / square x 200 mm long | 1 |
| Scriber (selection) | 200 mm long | 1§ |
| Socket/screwdriver set (selection) | 150 mm long ratchet arm | 1§ |
| Spanners (selection) | 150 mm long | 1§ |
| Traction screws** | 5.5 mm diameter x 60 mm long | 2§ |
| Tweezers (selection) | – | 1 |
| Universal key | – | 1 |
| Wire (selection) | 3 mm diameter | 1 |
| WD40 | 400 ml | 1 |
| Wood/plastic wedges (selection) | 200 mm long x 50 mm wide | 6 |
| Tube | 50 mm outer diameter with 4 mm wall thickness x 300 mm long | 1 |
| Axe | 350 mm long / 1.5 kg | 1 |
| Battery | 12 V | 1 |
| Bolt cutter | 400 mm long | 1 |
| Brick bolster | 250 mm long x 75 mm wide blade | 1 |
| Cold chisel | 250 mm long x 28 mm wide blade | 2 |
| Crowbar | 700 mm long / 2.5 kg | 1 |
| Drill‡‡ | 12 V | 1 |
| Drill bit (HSS / HSCO / Masonry) | 10 mm diameter jobber | 1 |
| Fluorocarbon based freeze spray | 400 ml | 1 |
| Gas torch (Butane / Propane) | 175 g | 1 |
| Hacksaw | – | 1 |
| Hacksaw blades (HSS / bimetal) | – | 2§ |
| Hammer (3lb / 1.36 kg nominal head weight) | 300 mm long / 1.8 kg | 1 |
| Pad saw | – | 1 |
| Pad saw blades (HSS / bimetal) | – | 2§ |
| Scissor jack | 1500 kg capacity, 100 mm minimum retracted, 200mm stroke | 1 |
| Wood chisel | 250 mm long x 25 mm wide blade | 1§ |
‡ Maximum number of individual tools a test operative may select during each individual attack test (security ratings Atw to Etw only).
§ Although a range of different types, sizes and/or shapes may be selected by a test operative, only the maximum quantity of individual units of a single type, size and shape may be included within a tool kit for any one test.
** Otherwise known as ‘self-tapping’ screws or ‘self-drilling’ screws. The selection available may include carbon steel, single and twin start versions with choice of two varieties of thread/tip: deep thread and gimlet point; and self-tapping thread with drill point.
†† Measured with the mechanism in the closed position.
Fan club
Achieving SR3 security standards introduced new thermal management challenges. Environmental stability is essential for the optimal function of housed equipment.
Each cabinet supports a variety of cooling systems:
Basic models include thermostatically controlled fans with redundancy.
Advanced versions use intelligent dual ACU systems with delay/swap-over features and free air-cooling to reduce energy use and extend component life.
Environmental conditions are continuously monitored via internal sensors, with full remote control available through the NGEN Estate system.
Need for protection
The S-Type Secure Micro DC isn’t limited to utilities. It’s ideally suited for Edge computing, IoT deployment, and rural broadband rollout – any application requiring resilient, secure outdoor infrastructure.
Glenn Conlon, Cannon Technologies Technical Sales Director, notes:
“With the SR3 S-Type Micro DC, we’re enabling government and commercial customers to protect their sensitive electronics and communications infrastructure in line with CPNI objectives.”
The solution is fully customizable with two- and three-bay configurations, a range of mounting options for 19-inch, ETSI, or DIN equipment, and optional pre-fitted UPS, Fire Suppressant modules, fibre and copper terminations, and other internal layouts.
Out and about
With over 1,000 S-Type cabinets already deployed globally across a range of sectors, demand continues to grow. A satisfied project team summed it up:
“Cannon Technologies delivered again. We now have a flexible, secure, and cost-effective Edge solution for our remote sites, with no compromise on technology or security.”
Cannon also offers up to Level 6 integration, maintenance, servicing and installation services.
