Server housing: The backbone of digital services

Payments, insurance claims, or purchases today are often handled digitally and must work reliably at all times. Behind this self-evidence lies a powerful IT infrastructure that combines stability, security, and sustainability. Server housing forms the foundation: it provides the conditions in the background to ensure that processes run smoothly and meet the highest standards.

Key Takeaways

• Stable foundation: Server housing ensures that digital services work reliably at all times and meet regulatory requirements.
• High availability: Redundant power supply, UPS, and emergency plans guarantee that systems recover quickly even during disruptions.
• Comprehensive security: Encryption, monitoring, and clear access rights protect sensitive data across all areas.
• Strict standards: Certified data centers according to DIN EN 50600 and BSI C5 secure operations, cooling, and physical protection at the highest level.
• Sustainable responsibility: ESG measures such as energy efficiency, resource conservation, and transparency build trust beyond technology.

What is Server Housing?

Server housing, also known as colocation, refers to operating servers in a professional data center. There, they are housed in an environment specifically designed for stability and protection—with technical safeguards and professional support.
For banks, insurers, and e-commerce, this foundation is crucial. Digital processes must always run reliably, meet regulatory requirements, and be able to scale flexibly.
Gini achieves this with dedicated servers operated in external housing data centers. This way, direct hardware control is combined with the high standards of certified data centers.

Why does Gini use Server Housing?

Running on central servers offers several advantages over processing directly on end devices. It allows the use of powerful resources that enable complex algorithms and models, which would often reach hardware limits on smartphones or laptops. Updates, bug fixes, and quality improvements can also be deployed centrally without waiting for new app versions.
In addition, the centralized infrastructure enables reliable scaling, continuous monitoring, and full traceability—important factors to securely meet regulatory requirements and service level agreements. For end users, this means consistent results and stable service quality, independent of individual devices.

High Availability through Multi-Layered Infrastructure

Reliable systems are the backbone of digital services. At Gini, the guaranteed service availability is 99.5%, while network connectivity in the data centers is even 99.99%. This is achieved through a multi-layered secured infrastructure:

• Redundant power supply: Servers are powered by two independent sources simultaneously. If one fails, the other takes over immediately.
• Uninterruptible power supply (UPS): Battery systems kick in instantly to bridge until regular supply or backup generators are available.
• Secured network connections: Ensure stable access to services at all times.

If a disruption does occur, defined emergency plans come into play. The Recovery Time Objective (RTO) specifies how quickly a system must be available again after a failure—at Gini, within four hours. The Recovery Point Objective (RPO) defines how much data may be lost at most—in Gini’s case, no more than one hour.
Additionally, a disaster recovery environment is available: within about an hour, operations can be switched to a cloud infrastructure provided by a partner. This fallback environment ensures that business-critical processes remain available even in emergencies.

Practical Example: Digital Payments in Everyday Life

A practical example is the Gini Photo Payment. With it, invoices can be paid directly in the banking app by taking a photo—without the hassle of typing IBANs or payment references. For this function to be reliably available at all times, it requires exactly the high availability and fail-safety that Gini ensures through server housing. Other digital payment processes, such as account-to-account transactions in e-commerce, also benefit from this stable infrastructure.

Security as a Trust Anchor: Compliance Builds Reliability

Financial or insurance services are based on sensitive data—therefore, maximum security and compliance in operations are indispensable. Gini follows recognized standards such as ISO 27001, BSI C5, and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to guarantee the protection of data and systems at all times. Security measures include multiple layers:

• Encryption: All data is protected both in transit and at rest.
• Continuous monitoring: Systems are permanently monitored to detect and resolve irregularities immediately.
• Multi-factor authentication (MFA): Access to IT systems requires at least two independent factors to prevent unauthorized entry.
• Access controls: Entry to sensitive areas is restricted to authorized personnel only, with all accesses fully logged.
• Intrusion and attack protection: Buildings are structurally secured, and intrusion detection systems provide additional safeguards.

These measures are regularly tested and enhanced. This includes penetration tests by external experts, data center audits, and continuous adjustments to new regulatory requirements. This ensures that security standards are documented and consistently applied in daily operations. Applications with sensitive payment data, such as Gini in-app payments for insurers, benefit from these highest security levels.

Data Centers Under the Microscope: These Standards Are Essential

For server housing to work reliably, data centers must meet high structural and technical standards. For Gini, DIN EN 50600 and BSI C5 are key requirements. Important criteria include:

• Location: Data centers are not located in high-risk areas such as flood zones or near busy roads that could cause vibrations.
• Buildings: Facilities are secured so that fire, water, or break-ins cannot disrupt operations. Modern fire detection systems add extra protection.
• Cooling: Chilled air is directed specifically through server rooms to maintain constant device temperatures. Cooling systems are redundant, ensuring stability even if individual units fail.

High standards in data centers protect applications from risks such as fire, water, or vibrations. For banks, insurers, and e-commerce, this means: Gini’s server housing provides a reliable foundation for critical digital services.

ESG in the Data Center: Sustainable, Social, and Compliant

Sustainability is a core part of modern data centers. The focus is on environmental aspects: this includes high energy efficiency, the use of renewable energy, and measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Continuous monitoring makes consumption transparent and enables optimization.
Social aspects also play a role. Water management, waste reduction, and recycling help conserve resources. Noise protection measures reduce environmental impact and improve compatibility in urban settings.
Another component of ESG is governance. This includes clear policies, documentation, and regular reviews. They ensure that sustainability measures are implemented, maintained, and continuously improved. In this way, data centers combine technical stability with ecological and social responsibility.

Gini Relies on German Infrastructure Providers

To ensure digital processes run reliably at all times, Gini works with specialized infrastructure providers in Germany. Each plays a clearly defined role, creating a stable infrastructure together. This way, digital services remain consistently available, while the infrastructure can adapt flexibly to new requirements.
At SpaceNet’s data center, systems that end customers use directly in their daily lives—like photo payments—are operated. For new features and developments, Gini relies on WIIT, where a separate environment for testing and quality assurance is available. In case of a major outage, STACKIT steps in: here, a fallback environment ensures operations are resumed quickly, guaranteeing continuity.

Server Housing for Stable Digital Services

Gini relies on server housing to operate its systems in highly secure data centers. The combination of dedicated hardware, certified standards, and reliable infrastructure ensures that digital processes always run smoothly—even under special conditions. For banks, insurers, and e-commerce providers, this creates a robust foundation for their services, reflected in a secure and seamless experience for end users.