The UK Government has made the decision to categorise data centres as Critical National Infrastructure, aligning these facilities with the power grid, which already has the designation.
Being designated as Critical National Infrastructure means that data centres will now benefit from enhanced government support during critical incidents, such as a cyber attack or extreme weather event. This support includes the formation of a dedicated CNI data infrastructure team, prioritised access to security services, and coordinated emergency response measures.
Peter Kyle, the UK’s Technology Secretary, announced the new status, marking the first such designation since the Space and Defence sectors were designated Critical National Infrastructure in 2015, following the announcement that the UK could soon house Europe’s largest data centre in Hertfordshire. The £3.75 billion project by DC01UK is expected to generate over 700 local jobs and support an additional 13,740 positions across the data and tech sectors.
The UK Government notes that the move to designate data centres as Critical National Infrastructure should be seen as a deterrent against cyber attacks, particularly those targeting essential health and financial records. In situations like a cyber attack on a data centre housing critical NHS data, the Government will intervene to ensure minimal disruption to essential services, such as patient appointments and operations.
Kyle noted, “Data centres are the engines of modern life, they power the digital economy and keep our most personal information safe. Bringing data centres into the Critical National Infrastructure regime will allow better coordination and cooperation with the government against cyber criminals and unexpected events.”
The move also aims to boost investor confidence in the UK’s data centre market, already a significant contributor to the economy with an estimated £4.6 billion in annual revenues. The designation is part of broader governmental efforts to enhance national cyber defences, including the proposed Cyber Security and Resilience Bill announced earlier this summer.
Industry leaders have welcomed the government’s decision, including Bruce Owen, UK Managing Director of Equinix, who commented, “We welcome today’s announcement by the government which recognises the critical nature of data centres and digital infrastructure to the economy and society.
“The internet, and the digital infrastructure that underpins it, has rapidly grown to be as fundamental to each one of our daily lives as water, gas, and electricity, and is now a service that people and the UK economy can no longer live without.
“Equinix is happy to have played an important role in the consultation process to bring about today’s critical national infrastructure status, which we believe will help safeguard the industry by ensuring the stability and growth of the UK and global economy and lay the groundwork for the UK’s bright digital future.