UK Government Designates Data Centres as Essential Infrastructure

The UK Government has decided to classify data centres as critical national infrastructure, placing them in the same category as emergency services, finance, healthcare, energy, and water. This new classification means that data centres will receive enhanced government protection in the event of significant incidents like cyber-attacks, IT failures, or severe weather. By doing so, the government aims to prevent disruptions to essential services and ensure the resilience of data centres.

These massive facilities house extensive arrays of computers and infrastructure, serving as the backbone for various modern-day conveniences such as AI, streaming services, and data processing. However, concerns have been raised about the substantial energy and water consumption of data centres. Despite this, the Labour Government has expressed strong support for the sector. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle emphasised the importance of data centres, referring to them as “the engines of modern life,” and emphasised the necessity of ensuring their uninterrupted operations.

The UK Government has taken a significant step by recently adding data centres to a list of 14 sectors classified as critical national infrastructure, as reported by BBC. This is the first update to the list in nine years and comes after a consultation process that began in late 2023 under the previous government.

To monitor threats and address potential risks to data centres, a dedicated team of officials will be established. The decision to classify data centres as critical national infrastructure is a recognition of their vital role in today’s digitally dependent society. This move comes as the need for AI-based services is driving an increase in data centre requirements, prompting major technology businesses to make substantial investments in response to the demand.

For instance, Amazon has pledged an £8 billion investment in new UK data centres. However, industry experts emphasise the importance of taking a more holistic approach that encompasses not only data centres but also the broader digital infrastructure, to safeguard the nation’s security and economic well-being.