Data Centres are a cornerstone of the digital economy, accounting for 24% of total UK exports. Recently designated as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) by the UK government, their role in public services such as healthcare and finance has never been so important. In this special report, Gary Higgins, Director of Security and Risk at DeterTech offers best practice advice to protect data centres from physical threat.
He details how, with this elevated status comes heightened responsibility, especially given the unique security challenges faced by CNI facilities.
Security discussions in this sector can, understandably, be focused on cyber, but it’s just as important to consider physical threats and vulnerabilities.
The Physical threats to data centres
Data centres under construction are particularly vulnerable to theft, as valuable materials are often stored on site, awaiting installation.
Cable theft in particular is a major concern. According to our Crime Intelligence Unit, over 750 kilometres of cable have been stolen from UK solar farms in 2024 alone, and these sites are often targeted repeatedly, even after the cables are replaced.
Data centres under construction almost certainly risk the same fate, especially those aiming to introduce their own solar farms and battery storage facilities as a means to reduce energy costs.
Considering the risks outlined above, the company outlines five key steps that you can adopt as part of a multi-layered strategy to safeguard data centre sites during the most vulnerable times:
Managing security risks during construction
- Understand the risk
Identify and address potential risks on-site and report all incidents to the police to help them build up a better picture of the movement and activities of criminal gangs. Communicate with other data centre operators so you can adapt your security strategy based on their experiences.
- Reinforce perimeter security
Keep high value materials out of sight and far from the site perimeter. If possible, consider keeping materials in lockable shipping containers or secure cages overnight.
- Stay on top of security measures
Repeat incidents of thefts are common as criminals familiarise themselves with the security measures. Quickly make visible changes to security infrastructure to change the environment and discourage return visits.
- Implement advanced detection and monitoring
Install visually verified intruder detection systems such as the PID360. Unlike unmonitored CCTV, these systems can initiate a rapid response, as the camera’s video feed is monitored 24/7 by SIA accredited operatives in DeterTech’s Alarm Receiving Centre. Last year, DeterTech’s ARC received over 7.8 million monitored activations, ensuring that all intrusions were immediately escalated to the Police or security teams.
- Deploy forensic marking
Forensic marking tools like SmartWater offer an effective way to mark valuable items. With a 100% conviction rate in contested cases, this technology not only aids recovery of stolen goods but also serves as a strong deterrent. Areas displaying ‘Protected by SmartWater’ signage are often avoided by criminals.
For more data centre news, click here
