Datacenter Security

Miss G: Google’s Secret Weapon 

It’s a well known fact in the data center industry that Google likes to keep their facilities as secure as Fort Knox. The secrecy that surrounds their mission-critical data centers is paralleled by few others in the world. Infrared cameras, bomb detection, retina and fingerprint scanners, badge requirements, and bollards are all standard procedure and automatically assumed to be installed in their facilities.

In fact, Google has been known to keep its server cages in complete darkness, outfitting its technical staff like miners and sending them spelunking into the cages with lights on their heads when anything needs to be updated or repaired. To say they are serious about data center physical security is an understatement.

However, at the Google data center in Pryor, Oklahoma, there is a very special security secret weapon; Miss G, the one-eyed guard dog. This lucky little girl not only has the bark, but also has the bite to keep intruders off of and away from Google’s grounds.

About five years ago, Miss G was found by security guards; dirty, hungry, and sadly missing one eye; after her owner, apparently, dumped her on the property.

“The vet believes a raccoon might have got her in a fight,” said Pat Carr, Google’s Security Manager, during an interview with Fox 23.

Miss G’s name obviously evolved from Google and seemed only fitting given her new home. Security guards said that Miss G is now a full time fixture at the gate and patrols the grounds on foot. When she isn’t protecting sensitive data and keeping the bad guys out, she is often found resting in her doghouse by the fence eating bones or her favorite beef jerky.

“It’s not uncommon to find her laying in the middle of the road, checking to see who you are and if you really belong here,” said Carr.

Employees at Google say they are heads and tails over Miss G. “She’s always here, always watching,” said Carr, “She’s a great dog.”