Certified: The Security+ Prepcast

In this episode, we are focusing on a critical but sometimes underestimated aspect of cybersecurity and operational continuity—power resilience. No matter how advanced your systems, how well-designed your networks, or how tight your cybersecurity controls, everything comes to a stop when the power goes out. To ensure continuous operations during outages or disruptions, organizations must plan for resilient power solutions. This episode will cover two of the most essential tools in that strategy: generators and uninterruptible power supplies. You will learn how they work, why they matter, and what best practices support their effective deployment.
Let us begin with generators. Generators are mechanical devices that produce electricity, usually by burning fuel such as diesel, propane, or natural gas. Their role in power resilience is straightforward: when the primary power source fails, the generator kicks in to keep critical systems running. This transition is rarely instantaneous, but it allows organizations to continue operations for extended periods during a prolonged outage.
Generators are typically used to power essential systems such as servers, communication equipment, security systems, and lighting. In environments like hospitals, data centers, and emergency services facilities, generator power is considered non-negotiable. Without it, even a short power loss could lead to life-threatening consequences or catastrophic data loss.
While generators are reliable, they come with practical requirements that must be actively managed. First and foremost is testing. A generator that is never tested is a generator that may not work when you need it most. Organizations must perform regular load testing to verify that the generator can carry the required electrical demand and transition smoothly when called upon. Testing under no-load conditions is not enough. Only full operational testing can ensure real resilience.
Fuel management is another critical concern. Fuel degrades over time, and supply chains can be disrupted during regional emergencies. Organizations must store fuel safely, rotate it as needed, and maintain relationships with suppliers who can deliver fuel during extended outages. Backup fuel should be stored in accordance with fire codes and environmental regulations to prevent safety hazards.
Maintenance is equally important. Generators include moving parts and electrical systems that must be inspected and serviced regularly. Filters, batteries, belts, and cooling systems all have wear cycles and must be kept in peak condition. A generator failure during a crisis can be just as damaging as having no generator at all. Maintenance logs, service contracts, and pre-scheduled inspections are essential parts of a complete generator strategy.
Let us walk through a real-world example. A regional healthcare provider includes diesel generators in all of its hospitals. During a storm-induced blackout, one of their facilities lost grid power for eighteen hours. Thanks to routine generator testing and pre-positioned fuel reserves, the transition to generator power was seamless. Critical systems like patient monitors, elevators, and medical refrigeration units stayed operational. Had the generator not functioned, lives could have been at risk and data would have been lost.
By contrast, another organization—a mid-sized call center—suffered a generator failure during a local power outage. The failure occurred because of a clogged fuel filter that had not been checked during recent maintenance. As a result, operations were suspended for almost twelve hours, leading to missed service level agreements, lost revenue, and reputational damage. This case reinforces the fact that owning a generator is only part of the solution. Maintaining it is what makes it dependable.
Now let us shift to uninterruptible power supplies, or U P S systems. Unlike generators, which may take several seconds to activate, U P S units provide instantaneous backup power the moment an outage begins. They do this using internal batteries that are always charged and ready to go. U P S systems are designed to bridge the gap between the loss of power and the moment the generator comes online, or to sustain short-term outages without invoking the generator at all.
U P S systems are especially important for protecting equipment that is sensitive to sudden power loss—such as servers, workstations, medical devices, and industrial control systems. They not only prevent data loss and hardware damage, but they also give IT staff time to perform orderly shutdowns if needed. Most modern U P S units also include power conditioning, which smooths out voltage spikes or drops that can harm equipment even when the power is still technically on.
Implementing a U P S strategy involves several best practices. First, you must match the capacity of the U P S to the load it supports. This means calculating the combined power draw of connected devices and selecting a U P S that can provide adequate runtime for those systems. Underestimating the load can result in premature shutdowns during an outage.
Second, U P S systems must be tested regularly. Batteries degrade over time, even if they are never used. Most U P S manufacturers recommend replacing batteries every three to five years, depending on usage and environmental conditions. Routine self-tests and manual battery discharge tests should be part of your standard maintenance routine. Many U P S systems include built-in diagnostic tools that can alert administrators to battery health issues before they become problems.
Third, placement and environmental control are important. U P S systems should be installed in cool, dry environments, away from dust and moisture. High temperatures can significantly reduce battery life, and physical obstructions can prevent proper ventilation. Rack-mounted U P S units must be securely installed and clearly labeled to avoid confusion during emergencies.
Let us consider a case study. A large financial firm operates a trading floor where milliseconds matter. They deploy a tiered U P S system—one set of U P S units protects the network core, while another protects the trader workstations. When a brief power interruption occurred during trading hours, none of the systems lost power. Trades continued uninterrupted, and the company avoided potential losses. After the event, diagnostics showed that the primary U P S units had absorbed the full load for four minutes before generator power took over. The seamless coordination between U P S and generator ensured operational continuity.
In another example, a small municipal office suffered a server crash due to a ten-second power flicker. The facility had a generator, but no U P S. That short gap caused corruption in a database used for public services. Recovery took days, and critical services were delayed. After the incident, the organization invested in a U P S and scheduled regular battery testing to prevent a repeat.
For the Security Plus exam, you need to be able to distinguish between generators and uninterruptible power supplies. Generators provide long-term power backup and require fuel and maintenance. U P S systems offer immediate, short-term power and protect sensitive equipment from sudden shutdowns and voltage issues. Expect questions that describe power interruptions and ask which solution is best suited to address specific problems.
Here is a tip for the exam: If a scenario mentions extended outages or disaster recovery, generators are likely the right answer. If the question talks about bridging short interruptions, preventing data loss, or protecting sensitive systems, then the focus is on U P S. When you see references to maintenance schedules, look for generator-related clues. If the focus is battery health, runtime, or rapid activation, the question is probably about U P S systems.