Data Center Access Categories

Categories of Data Center Access and procedures for obtaining them.

Permanent Access
Long Term Access
Short Term Access
Escort-Only Access
Tour Access
Office Access

Permanent Access

Permanent access is approved for UW-Madison DoIT staff when job duties require access to DoIT data centers.

    • Obtaining Permanent Access
      • Contact DoIT Data Center Access Control and provide a brief justification for why access to any controlled areas is required. Data Center Access Control will respond and follow up with further confirmation of the business justification and approval if appropriate.

      • The applicant must have a valid Wiscard that is also in the campus access control system. Refer to WISCARD FAQ for details.
    • Maintaining Permanent Access
      • Badges must not be altered or defaced in any way; badges must not be bent, written on, have anything affixed to, or have holes punched in them. Refer to the WISCARD FAQ

      • Individuals must immediately report any change in job duties or employment status to Data Center Access Control that would change the need to have data center access.

      • For damaged, lost, or stolen badges, get a replacement Wiscard. Refer to WISCARD FAQ.

      • Notify Data Center Access Control when a replacement Wiscard is issued so access rights can be transferred to your new Wiscard.

      • If required, a Short Term Access Badge will be issued by Data Center Access Control until the replacement Wiscard is obtained. Refer to Short Term Access procedures

Long-Term Access

Long-Term Access is generally granted to vendors who have annual support contracts to perform routine and emergency support of hardware and software used in DoIT data centers.

    • Obtaining Long-Term Access
      • Contact DoIT Data Center Access Control and provide a brief justification for why access to any controlled areas is required. Data Center Access Control will respond and follow up with further confirmation of the business justification and approval if appropriate.

      • UW Police Department (UWPD) issues access badges to non-UW Madison entities:
        • To obtain long-term badges, individuals requesting access must first visit UWPD Access Control, located at 1429 Monroe St. Refer to UWPD Access Control.
        • Individuals must present valid, government-issued photo identification to UWPD Access Control.

    • Maintaining Long-Term Access
      • Badges must not be altered or defaced in any way; badges must not be bent, written on, have anything affixed to, or have holes punched in them.

      • Individuals must immediately report any change in job duties or employment status to DC Access Control that would change the need to have data center access.

      • Individuals must retain sole possession of the badge for the duration of their approved use. The individual is responsible for badge use. Badge use is not transferable and cannot be shared.

      • If a card is damaged, lost, or stolen, it must be reported to Data Center Access Control. A Replacement badge can be obtained from UWPD Access Control.

      • If a replacement badge cannot be obtained within an appropriate amount of time, a temporary badge can be issued by Data Center Access Control.
    • Returning Long-Term Access Badges
      • A badge assigned to an individual is non-transferable and may not be used by anyone other than the assigned badge holder.

      • DC Access Control is located in room B332 in the basement of the Computer Sciences and Statistics building at 1210 W Dayton St, Madison, WI 53706. They can be reached via email

Short-Term Access

Short-Term access is generally assigned to those who only require data center access for short-term project work.

Short-term badges can sometimes be issued as temporary replacements to previously-approved individuals who currently don't have their assigned badge or are in the process of replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged badge.

    • Obtaining Short-Term Access
      • Contact DoIT Data Center Access Control and provide a brief justification for why access to any controlled areas is required. Data Center Access Control will respond and follow up with further confirmation of the business justification and approval if appropriate.

      • Data Center Access Control will issue approved short-term badges

      • The applicant must visit Data Center Access Control to obtain the badge and a PIN. The applicant will have to present government or UW-issued identification.
    • Maintaining Short-Term Access
      • Badges must not be altered or defaced in any way; badges must not be bent, written on, have anything affixed to, or have holes punched in them.

      • The individual must retain sole possession of the badge for the duration of their approved use. The individual is responsible for badge use. Badge use is not transferable and cannot be shared.

      • A replacement will be issued by going to Data Center Access Control, which is located in room B332 in the basement of the Computer Sciences and Statistics building at 1210 W Dayton St, Madison, WI 53706. They can be reached via email
    • Returning Short-Term Access Badges
      • A badge assigned to an individual is non-transferable and may not be used by anyone other than the individual the badge was originally assigned.

      • Surrender the badge to Data Center Access Control, which is located in room B332 in the basement of the Computer Sciences and Statistics building at 1210 W Dayton St, Madison, WI 53706

Escort-Only Access

Escort-only access is generally for co-location customers, contractors, or vendors who have not been approved for short- or long-term access. This is typically for situations where less than one day of work needs to be performed. The work will be monitored at all times by a Data Center Access Control-approved escort.

    • Obtaining Escort-Only Access
      • Requests for escorted access to DoIT data centers by DoIT Data Center Services staff must be arranged by scheduling with DC Access Control.

      • Requests should be scheduled with Data Center Access Control at least 24 hours in advance.

      • Escorted groups will be limited to three individuals.

      • An escort must be any UW Madison employee with Permanent Access to the facility they are providing escort for.

      • Individuals being escorted must sign in to log books at each facility, obtain an Escort-Only badge, and meet their escort. Government or UW-issued photo identification will be required.
    • Returning Escort-Only Access Badges
      • When the work is finished, individuals must return their badges and sign out of the appropriate access log book.

Tour Access

Tours of a DoIT data center are granted under limited circumstances. Tours are for educational purposes and are for viewing only.

    • Obtaining Tour Access
      • Requests for tours can be arranged with Data Center Access Control via email.
        Include the purpose of the tour, names of those attending, and preferable dates and times.

      • Tours must be approved by the Data Center Services manager (or their designee).

      • Tours must be requested at least five business days in advance.

      • A Data Center Team tour guide will coordinate the tour.

      • Approved tour groups will meet their tour guide, sign in, and be issued their tour badge(s). Individuals in the tour group will be required to present government or UW-issued photo identification.

      • The tour will be escorted at all times when in DoIT data centers.
    • Returning Tour Badges
      • When the tour is finished, the individuals must return their badges and sign out.

SEO Staff Offices Access (B332)

Access will be maintained at the level defined in Permanent Access section.



Keywordsdata center access dc level procedures   Doc ID90003
OwnerNATHAN M.GroupDCTeam
Created2019-02-25 17:29:04Updated2023-04-08 11:12:43
SitesDCTeam, DoIT Help Desk, DoIT Staff, Systems & Network Control Center, Systems Engineering and Operations
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