Few technologies have been so transformative, so quickly, as artificial intelligence (AI). It has taken the global stock market by storm over the last 18 months, with enterprises across all sectors scrambling to develop AI-powered applications to drive revenues, sharpen security, bolster customer service, and much more.
AI is driving an unprecedented surge in demand for data centres – the physical backbone of our digital world. While promising, this growth brings a host of challenges, not least of which is the critical need for robust physical security solutions.
Let’s look at the numbers. According to JLL’s Data Centres 2024 Global Outlook, consumers and businesses are expected to generate twice as much data in the next five years as all the data created in the previous decade. This will require storage and processing power on an enormous scale.
Goldman Sachs Research estimates that data centre power demand will grow by 160% by 2030. To put this in perspective, while data centres currently consume 1-2% of global power, this figure will likely rise to 3-4% by the end of the decade. In the United States alone, data centres are projected to use 8% of the country’s power by 2030, up from 3% in 2022.
The catalyst for this surge? Well, much of it is down to generative AI. A single ChatGPT query, for instance, requires almost 10 times as much electricity to process as a Google search. As AI applications proliferate across industries, the demand for data centre capacity is skyrocketing.
This growth presents both opportunities and challenges. On the one hand, it’s driving significant investment and, hopefully, innovation. According to JLL, data centre operators are exploring new technologies to improve efficiency. Its report says, “providers have shown that liquid cooling boasts significant power reductions – as high as 90% – while improving capability and space requirements.”
The report also notes that “data centre operators are exploring alternative power sourcing strategies for onsite power generation including small modular reactors, hydrogen fuel cells and natural gas.”
On the other hand, this growth is putting unprecedented pressure on power grids and raising severe environmental concerns. According to Goldman Sachs Research, the carbon dioxide emissions of data centres may more than double between 2022 and 2030, representing a “social cost” of $125-140 billion in present value.
The challenge is particularly acute in Europe, which has the oldest power grid in the world. Keeping new data centres electrified will require nearly €800 billion in spending on transmission and distribution over the coming decade and almost €850 billion in investment in solar, onshore wind, and offshore wind energy.
As data centres grow in size and importance, they become more attractive targets for cybercriminals and physical attacks. While cybersecurity often dominates the headlines, physical security is equally crucial. A breach in physical security can be just as devastating as a cyber-attack, potentially leading to data theft, equipment damage, or service disruptions.
The stakes are incredibly high. According to one study, 10% of malicious breaches in 2020 were caused by a physical security compromise, amounting to $4.46 million in damages. This underscores the critical need for robust physical security measures in modern data centres.
Physical security in a modern data centre is a multi-layered approach that starts from the outside and works its way in:
1. Perimeter security: Fencing and advanced surveillance systems typically secure the outer perimeter. Strategic site selection and layout play a crucial role in enhancing security. This includes considerations such as geographic factors, optimal site layouts, and the use of high-security fencing and anti-ram barriers.
2. Access control: Building entry screening involves personalised security badges and thorough visitor checks. Biometric access control systems, including fingerprint recognition and retina scans, are becoming increasingly common. Card-based access control systems using Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) technology offer flexibility and scalability in managing access.
3. Internal security zones: Inside, secure corridors and mantraps control the flow of people and prevent unauthorised access. Controlled access areas and high-security zones house critical infrastructure. The layout and design of these zones are crucial in minimising vulnerabilities and points of access for potential threats.
4. Server-level security: Additional security measures such as key locks or card readers with biometric scanners are common at the most critical level- the server racks themselves. This ensures that only authorised personnel can physically access the most sensitive equipment.
5. Environmental controls: Climate control systems maintain optimal temperature and humidity levels, while fire suppression systems using clean agents or inert gases protect against fire threats. These systems are critical not only for security but also for the proper functioning and longevity of the equipment.
6. Surveillance systems: CCTV systems with strategic camera placement provide comprehensive monitoring. Advanced video analytics can detect unusual behaviour or unauthorised individuals in real time. AI capabilities are increasingly enhancing these systems for more effective threat detection.
7. Security personnel: Onsite security guards and a 24/7 staffed Security Operations Centre (SOC) provide human oversight and rapid response capabilities. The SOC is the nerve centre for monitoring and responding to security events.
As AI drives data centre growth, physical security measures are evolving to meet new challenges. The future of data centre security will likely see even greater integration of physical and cyber security measures. For instance, physical security systems might be linked with cybersecurity protocols, allowing for immediate physical lockdown in the event of a cyber-attack, or vice versa.
Regular security audits and testing, including internal audits, third-party audits, and penetration testing, are essential to maintain and enhance physical security in data centres. These measures help identify vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them.
The industry is also trending towards more comprehensive, integrated security ecosystems. Solutions like Grosvenor Technology’s GTConnect exemplify this trend, offering centralised data and device management, remote diagnostics, and stringent compliance with data protection regulations.
As data centres evolve to meet the demands of our AI-driven future, partnering with experienced physical security solution providers becomes increasingly crucial.
Companies like Safetell, with decades of experience in physical security, are at the forefront of developing cutting-edge solutions tailored to the unique needs of modern data centres.
In a recent project, Safetell partnered with a UK-based organisation to build a new data centre. The challenge was to securely control access to the building within an exceptionally short lead time of six weeks.
Safetell installed a square security portal between the reception area and the secure-side room with the servers, limiting access for unauthorised personnel. This solution enabled the data centre to maintain its high-security standards and ensure that only authorised personnel had access to the facility.
Safetell’s range of products, including Circle and Square Security Portals, DDA Circle Security Portals, and the CityWall Modular Walling System, offer data centres the flexibility to implement robust physical security measures tailored to their specific needs.
These solutions provide high levels of security while also considering factors such as accessibility and integration with existing building aesthetics.
As we stand on the brink of an AI-driven future, the importance of data centres – and their physical security – cannot be overstated. These facilities are the beating heart of our digital world, housing the data and processing power that drive AI innovation. The unprecedented growth in data centre demand, driven by AI, presents both opportunities and challenges.
While the industry grapples with power consumption issues and environmental impact, it must also contend with increasingly sophisticated security threats. By prioritising robust physical security measures, data centre operators can safeguard not just their facilities and equipment, but the very future of AI technology.
In this new era, physical security isn’t just about protecting assets – it’s about securing our digital future. As we move forward, integrating advanced physical security solutions will ensure the resilience, reliability, and integrity of the data centres that power our AI-driven world.
Companies that can provide sustainable computing power while maintaining the highest levels of physical security will reap the rewards of our increasingly data-intense digital economy.