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Bitcoin is the current buzzword in technology circles nowadays. The potential for making fast money is there for investors and the blockchain technology which underpins bitcoin has a wide area of potential uses. Even though bitcoin remains wildly popular in investing and technology sectors, its not neccesarily something that everyone is excited about. Recently, changes to the cryptocurrency market have stranded bitcoin miners as some governments are taking the step to make bitcoin mining illegal.However, the United States remains one of the more bitcoin friendly governments on the planet. Which means that a lot of miners who have previously set up shop in countries like China are now making their way stateside. How does this sudden influx of bitcoin mining, and the equipment necessary to perform it, affect data centers in the United States?Cooling MethodsBitcoin is a computation heavy activity with the need for ever more electricity and computing power. This puts on strain on data center resources and the space and power they have to allocate to other clients. As a result, data centers have had to become better equipped at accommodating and cooling this type of equipment.Bitcoin requires highly specialized equipment. In order to run a successful mining operation, you need to have high performance hardware thats capable of solving computational algorithms at high speeds while remaining efficient and accurate. Not an easy task at all. The demand for the hardware necessary to mine bitcoin is constantly increasing, making this infrastructure hard to come by.In addition to high demand for hardware, the demand for data centers to accommodate this equipment is also rising exponentially. The biggest issue facing data centers when it comes to hosting cryptocurrency clients is ensuring that theyre equipped to handle the cooling demands of this type of hardware. As bitcoin mining equipment grows more sophisticated, the amount of heat generated by the hardware also increases. Many data centers that specialize in cryptocurrency hosting are turning to liquid cooling to accommodate their clients.In addition to supporting extreme power density, liquid cooling has the potential to slash the cost of data center infrastructure, allowing users to operate servers without a raised floor, computer room air conditioning units or chillers. It also allows ASICs to operate without fans, which are typically among the largest components of a bitcoin mining rig.Data Center ConstructionThe data center construction market, of which Bitcoin mining operations are a subset, is expected to book a compound annual growth rate of 9% in the U.S. and 11.2% worldwide between 2020 and 2025reaching $34.5 billion, up from $22.6 billion in 2019, according to Research and Markets.As bitcoin mining operations in the U.S. continue to surge, we can expect a large portion of the new data centers being brought online in the next few years will have plans to accommodate big players in the crypto sector. This will have an impact on how new data centers are planned and the approach providers take to alternative cooling and power sources. The data center construction boom will continue into the future, with bitcoin mining being a driving force.PowerSince bitcoin mining is such an extremely computing intensive activity, the need for both electric and computing power increases over time. Data centers that support bitcoin mining are usually in the range of 1 megawatt to 5 megawatt facilities. As many bitcoin miners know firsthand, the data center industry has not initially been friendly to bitcoin miners as their equipment requires large power draws 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.Due to the large power draw of cryptocurrency mining operations, data center providers have to get creative with how they allocate power in their facilities as well as looking to alternative sources of power to help bring down overhead. This is a difficult task which leads many hosting providers simply deciding not to accommodate these kinds of clients. In fact, data center space for bitcoin mining equipment is in such high demand right now that in some instances miners are offering bounties for referrals to crypto friendly data centers.Bitcoin Hosting ProvidersAt Datacenters.com, our provider agnostic approach allows us to partner with hundreds of different data center operators, offering the widest selection of solutions possible. As a result of this, were uniquely positioned to know which hosting providersare accommodating of bitcoin miners and which arent. As most miners know firsthand, not every data center is willing to allocate the space and power necessary to operate a successful mining operation.Datacenters.com is the leading technology platform, directory, and online marketplace for data center solutions. Our portfolio consists of 340+ providers with 2,900+ facilities in 85 countries, allowing users to search, compare, and contact industry leading solution providers with the click of a button.Our team of expert advisors are available to guide you along the path free of charge. Schedule time today to speak with our team so they can connect you with providers eager to win your business. Datacenters.com are the experts in crypto hosting solutions. Contact us today to find out why.

For many years now, cryptocurrency has been a hot topic of conversation. Most people are familiar with cryptocurrencies, and may have even purchased Bitcoin in the past. However, in the last few months data center providers have been inundated with bitcoin miners desperate for more space and power. What changes has the cryptocurrency market undergone that have increased demand?In the article below, well review everything you need to know about cryptocurrency, the current state of the market, and where you can turn to in order to procure services for your mining equipment.What is Cryptocurrency?Cryptocurrency is best described as a type of digital currency because you can only use it on computers.Cryptocurrency is a type of online payment that you may use to buy and sell products and services. Many businesses have created their currencies, known as tokens. You can exchange those tokens for the companys goods or services. Consider them arcade tokens or casino chips; you will need to convert actual money for cryptocurrency to use the good or service.Moreover, Blockchain is the technology that underpins cryptocurrency. Blockchain is a decentralized technology that handles and records transactions across numerous computers. The security of this technology is part of its attractiveness.Why are Cryptocurrencies so Popular?For several reasons, cryptocurrency enthusiasts get drawn to it. Here are a few of the most well-known:Cryptocurrencies Do Not Link to International GovernmentsCryptocurrencies have no ties to international governments. This disconnect means that cryptocurrencies can remain steady even when a country is in upheaval. Some investors consider cryptocurrencies as a viable way to secure their assets. This benefit is one of the reasons why the value of cryptocurrencies has risen and continues to rise over time.Fees Are Incredibly LowOne of the main reasons cryptocurrency is so popular worldwide is that it has very low transaction fees. When you use other online payment methods, you will frequently get charged a lot of money. Thus, the extremely low fees associated with other cryptocurrencies will be a far better deal for you.Cryptocurrency is Getting Simpler to UseAs cryptocurrency becomes more widely used, it will reach an ever-increasing number of people. As a result, there is a rise in awareness and overall popularity. More individuals are becoming aware that this is a viable choice, and many of the issues surrounding cryptocurrencies are getting addressed.Profitability is a Great PossibilityPeople get involved with cryptocurrencies for a variety of reasons, including the possibility of profit. Many people who invested in cryptocurrencies before they became extremely popular profited handsomely. Because the market has not cooled in recent years, investors are still benefiting from cryptocurrencies today.Cryptocurrency Market ChangesBitcoin mining has long been an industry that offers high profit margins but now is as good a time as any for miners. Why is that? For one, a crackdown in China on bitcoin mining has taken out an extremely large number of machines in the global network used to verify transactions and create new bitcoins. As a result of there being less miners in the market, profitability is soaring as the amount of energy needed to solve for a bitcoin block is plummeting.Unprecedented OpportunityThe dropping cost of power needed to solve for a bitcoin block is great for people that already have their machines up and running. But what if youre currently looking for a home for your equipment or looking to expand your existing network of machines? Data center space for bitcoin mining equipment is in such high demand right now that in some instances miners are offering bounties for referrals to crypto friendly data centers.Miners that have previously hosted their equipment in China are now in a mad dash to secure a home for their equipment and get back into the game. It used to be that finding machines to mine bitcoin was the greatest hurdle in the cryptocurrency market. Now, the bottleneck has moved to finding hosting facilities.You cant simply build a massive data center in a matter of months, so miners are left trying to find providers that are willing to allocate the space and power needed to mine for bitcoin. The data center industry has not initially been friendly to bitcoin miners as their equipment requires large power draws 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This leaves many bitcoin miners unsure of which providers to turn to for services. However, there are several providers who are poised to accommodate cryptocurrency miners and their equipment.Crypto Friendly Hosting ProvidersAt Datacenters.com, our provider agnostic approach allows us to partner with hundreds of different data center operators, offering the widest selection of solutions possible. As a result of this, were uniquely positioned to know which hosting providers are accommodating of bitcoin miners and which arent. As most miners know firsthand, not every data center is willing to allocate the space and power necessary to operate a successful mining operation.Datacenters.com is the leading technology platform, directory, and online marketplace for data center solutions. Our portfolio consists of 340+ providers with 2,900+ facilities in 85 countries, allowing users to search, compare, and contact industry leading solution providers with the click of a button.Our team of expert advisors are available to guide you along the path free of charge. Schedule time today to speak with our team so they can connect you with providers eager to win your business. Datacenters.com are the experts in crypto hosting solutions. Contact us today to find out why.

A bare metal server is a computer server that gets assigned for use to a single client. Essentially, bare metal solutions allow customers to lease hardware from providers to use as they see fit. This differs greatly from virtual servers, which can potentially run multiple different software applications on the same piece of hardware. A bare metal server can run any amount of work needed by a client and have multiple users within an organization, but the hardware remains dedicated entirely to the organization that is renting it. In this article, well review the benefits of bare metal servers and whos offering the most bang for your buck.Why choose Bare Metal Servers?Bare metal servers are very similar to dedicated serversin that they are both single-tenant machines. This type of machine provides users with total access to the hardware. It is possible to have such access as single-tenant machines do not use a hypervisor layer- layers that create a virtual machine (VM) and place it on the server. To eliminate the requirement for layers, the operating system is loaded straight onto the server. This direct loading results in some of the most high-performance servers on the market.With bare metal servers, there is an ability to configure the processor, memory (unshared), and storage. VMs do not have the same ability because the providers control the hardware.Both these servers provide users with stable performance because the hardware is powering their applications and web hosting solely. The critical difference between bare metal and a dedicated server boils down to how flexible the contract is and the quality of the hardware.You get high-spec processors, RAM, NVMe solid-state drives, and other hardware products with bare metal servers. Dedicated servers do not come with these high-end capabilities.Bare Metal vs. IaaSBare metal servers are a subset of IaaS, but they offer different service levels even though they share the same cloud characteristic. IaaS is utilizing virtual resources, as do bare metal servers that use dedicated servers.With both IaaS and bare metal servers, you can use the operating system and apps of your choosing. The difference between the two is that IaaS does not afford you any infrastructure control. It is the provider who manages infrastructure, with your business being limited within the restrictions of a virtual environment.On the other hand, bare metal servers allow your business to configure a dedicated server in the fashion you choose. It gives you control to install VMs and hypervisors as you wish.CostBare-metal servers give organizations extremely flexible billing options. You only pay for the time you use them, and many providers even offer a pay-by-the-hour option.For IT solutions, you essentially have two options as to how you buy serverspurchasing them outright so that you are the owner, which involves a capital outlay, or renting server capacity on an ongoing basis. The latter option is paid as part of your operating costs.Making a capital purchase is risky in the IT environment, as you dont know how your business or the environment will change in the following few years. This uncertainty can lead to you purchasing the wrong hardware or specifications.With bare metal solutions, you have flexibility in your operational costs, and you will always have updated hardware and applications. You will also be able to keep hold of your capital with this option.Compliance and SecurityBare metal servers address compliance and security issues better than VMs because it provides a single-tenant environment. Bare metal servers will provide you with an improved application and data performance while maintaining high-level security.When there is no virtualization, there is no overhead for a hypervisor, so the performance benefits. Most virtual environments and cloud solutions come with security risks. You have no security concerns on a single-tenant platform because all the resources are allocated to one user.Virtual environments can also suffer security issues if stringent industry regulations bound you. Understanding these regulations is essential to providing adequate protection to sensitive data. With bare metal servers, you have a solution that is configurable to regulated workloads.Dedicated ResourcesAs previously mentioned, having bare metal and dedicated hardware offers you an advantage. Dedicated servers mean there is no sharing of storage, connection, or bandwidth. It also affords better privacy and security as your data is confined from other tenants.An environment such as this is beneficial for businesses that hold personal data or a high volume of data, requiring predictable and constant resources. It provides a higher level of processing than VMs as well as improved performance.For massive databases, game servers, rendering, software development, data analytics, transcoding, website hosting, machine learning, artificial intelligence, or planning application services, dedicated servers are an excellent solution. If your requirements are data-heavy, a dedicated server is a choice to make.In a virtual environment, there are instances when you could experience the noisy neighbor. This situation arises when VMs are competing for resources. Having dedicated hardware will provide you with the same ability to scale, the same flexibility and efficiency as VM clouds, but with none of the hassle of sharing resources.Dedicated servers can be configured to your needs, such as RAM requirements, processor, amount of storage, etc. The power of a dedicated server ranges from moderate to high, and they come with huge memories, allowing you to make your dedicated server as powerful as you need. The customized configuration also allows you to use any bare metal OS you want, adding your choices control panels and software.Choosing a SolutionBrowsing the offerings of cloud solution providers and comparing offerings is the best way to ensure that youve made the right decision for your organization. However, some businesses dont have to the time or resources for that kind of exercise. Scheduling a conversation with an IT advisor is another good way to make sure that a particular solution is right for you. Below is a list of a few providers who offer exceptional bare metal solutions.EquinixRight now, one of the industry leading bare metal solutions is currently being offered by Equinix. As one of the worlds leading digital infrastructure companies, utilizing their Equinix Metal offering allows you to take advantage of their unmatched global reach on connectivity ecosystem. They have over 200+ data centers in their portfolio and their solutions can help your cloud services meet exacting requirements in the most efficient way possible.PhoneixNapPhoenixNAP is an award-winning global IT services provider, offering cutting-edge technology solutions from strategic locations worldwide that are easy-to-deploy, come at affordable OpEx payment options, quick response times, and a strong up-time. Theyve built their bare metal cloud offering to help clients deploy and manage physical servers with cloud-like ease and simplicity. They offer an intuitive purchasing experience, allowing you spin up servers with a couple of clicks.

For a sector that has traditionally lagged behind its peers, the healthcare sector is leading the way in cloud computing adoption. As per the West Monroe Partners study, 35% of healthcare facilities surveyed stored more than 50% of their records or infrastructural facilities in the cloud. While compared to other sectors, healthcare has proven to be one of the furthest along with cloud adoption. For example, in comparison, 31% of energy and utility companies and 18% of financial services companies used the cloud to store 50 percent of company data or infrastructure.Healthcare organizations face more significant risks compared to other businesses when it comes to data breaches and additional privacy and security concerns. For example, patients and practitioners exchange personal information, such as contact information, for mutual benefits gained through collaboration, making them susceptible to data breach risks.Cloud hosting has been widely adopted by businesses worldwide, and adoption rates in the healthcare industry have been high compared to most sectors. Healthcare CIOs and other senior HIT executives are responsible for securing and protecting patient data, adhering to HIPAA regulations, and leveraging technological innovations to reduce costs and improve performance. As a result of the high level of regulations, there is a risk-averse technology culture in some portions of the healthcare industry that rewards the status quo and slows progress.Following best practices in healthcare cloud computing is your roadmap to reaping all of the benefits of the cloud while ensuring HIPAA compliant cloud hosting and adhering to the highest data security standards.Because cybersecurity threats are evolving rapidly in the healthcare industry, a multi-faceted and sophisticated approach should be implemented to protect customer data. Following these best practices could help healthcare businesses keep potential security threats at bay:1. Conduct Cloud Compliance Training for Healthcare PersonnelWhen it comes to privacy incidents, there will usually be an apparent human element at work. Unfortunately, incidents like these are typical in the healthcare industry. Staff cybersecurity training provides your staff with the knowledge they need to handle patient data appropriately, and it will also prevent them from making rash decisions that jeopardize the businesss security while also making your staff aware of common and uncommon mistakes made by employees that they might not think of otherwise.2. Implement Data and Application Access ControlsRestriction of access to sensitive patient data and critical applications strengthens healthcare cybersecurity even further. User-based access controls also ensure that sensitive data is only accessible to those who are required to have access to perform their job responsibilities. Multi-factor authentication methods such as secure PIN or password, security key, fingerprints, or eye scanning in tangent to username and passwords may be used to ensure that the person trying to access does indeed have permission to access critical applications and user data.3. Establish Data Usage ControlsHealthcare organizations can detect and block malicious or risky data activity in real-time by implementing reasonable restrictions on data usage operations. Specific delicate data-related activities should be prohibited, like uploading to the web, copying data to external sources, and sending unapproved emails.4. Log and Monitor Data Usage and AccessBy logging and monitoring access and data usage, IT managers can determine all information and details accessed or which applications and resources were used across the organization. Most IT Managers will preset thresholds for alerting of such activity since it is not possible with todays workloads to have a single human being able to review server logs of activity. This aids in the detection of suspicious activities and the implementation of security controls where necessary. In a security incident, healthcare organizations will precisely locate where the error has occurred and find solutions for its causes and efficient mitigation strategies.5. Whenever Possible, Encrypt DataEncryption is without a doubt one of the most critical security measures in healthcare organizations. Encryption ensures that even if hackers obtain patient information files, they cannot use the information in any situation without the ability to decrypt the data. HIPAA advises healthcare organizations to implement stringent data encryption strategies based on data flow within the organization.6. Pay Attention to Mobile Device SecurityMobile devices used in the healthcare sector have grown dramatically over the years, with many organizationsdeveloping healthcare mobile apps for practitioners and patients. Healthcare professionals use it to obtain patient records to treat patients effectively, and officials may use it to process medical insurance coverage. It is critical to safeguard the security of such portable devices, i.e., mobile devices.A few practices to assure mobile device security inside the healthcare industry include:Using complex passwords and multi-factor authenticationThe ability to track, lock, and remotely wipe lost or stolen devicesEncrypting data in transit, data at rest, and live stored dataMonitoring device health to prevent vulnerabilities from being exploited and ensuring devices are patched and updated as much as possible7. Eliminate the Risk of Connected DevicesConnected devices have become extremely common because of the rapid development of technologies like IoT and AI. There are so many types of devices in the healthcare industry, which all are constantly connected to the network and hold patient data. Here are some safety precautions that should be put in place to eliminate risks in devices like these.Install security patches and keep your connected devices updated.Decommission any unsupported or end-of-life devices immediately.Set up a multifactor authentication system for any user access to devices.Before using the devices, disable any unnecessary features and only capture the data you need while ensuring any stored data meets your data security requirements.Keep an eye on access attempts and usage to spot any suspicious activity.Keep network separation if possible for IoT devices and where critical data is stored to reduce the number of systems that could be vulnerable if a break of an IoT device does happen.8. Perform Vulnerability Assessments RegularlyA critical part of a proactive security strategy is performing vulnerability assessments regularly. Assessments like these will help identify where the companys infrastructure is weak; they will also highlight where employees and vendors lack security readiness. Regular vulnerability assessments assist healthcare organizations in proactively identifying elements of the possible threat and eliminating them to avoid expensive data breaches and their negative consequences. It is suggested to have the vulnerability assessment performed every two weeks on an automated schedule to ensure that any new known vulnerabilities are scanned for quickly so they can be patched with the same urgency.9. Back-Up Sensitive Data SecurelyData breaches in the healthcare sector can disclose patient information and jeopardize the integrity and availability of the data stored in the system. Therefore, backups of patient data are essential for healthcare organizations because they cant afford to lose their most important asset.Offsite backups of data should be made to protect the data currently in use as a minimum level of redundancy. Additional security measures such as encryption and access controls will help add extra layers of protection. Apart from addressing cybersecurity concerns, data backups will be beneficial in disaster recovery for an organization. If your healthcare organization is utilizing mission-critical servers, it is highly recommended to not stop at just offsite backups but to also pursue active/active diverse locations just in case there is a disaster declared at one location. Data availability is the cornerstone of HIPAA compliance, so ensuring that data is available to the level of your business requirements is critical.ConclusionAccording to various security experts, these data breaches in the healthcare industry will continue happening. In addition, the use of mobile and cloud platforms in the healthcare industry will make it more vulnerable to extruder attacks. Therefore, we must be aware of all risks to navigate potential data privacy and security threats in the healthcare industry.Get Help with HIPAA ComplianceAtlantic.Net stands ready to help you attain fast compliance with a range of certifications, such as SOC 2 and SOC 3, HIPAA, and HITECH, all with 24x7x365 support, monitoring, and world-class data center infrastructure. For faster application deployment, free IT architecture design, and assessment, call 888-618-DATA (3282), or visitwww.atlantic.net.