European News: TelecityGroup, Switch, NGD

Here's a look at data center new from Europe for today:

TelecityGroup acquires leading Finland data centre Academica - TelecityGroup, Europe's industry-leading provider of carrier-neutral data centres, today announced it has acquired Academica, a leading data centre and IT services operator in Finland, for €28 million ($35.8 million US) in cash.The acquisition of Academica further strengthens TelecityGroup’s footprint in Finland where there is growing demand for data centre services. Academica currently operates two carrier-neutral data centres in Helsinki with 1MW of operational capacity. Three MW of additional capacity has been secured, some of which will be deployed in Viikinmaki, a new centrally-located facility. Today’s announcement follows TelecityGroup’s acquisition of Tenue Oy in August giving the enlarged TelecityGroup Finland a total of three data centres and 2MW of operational capacity. 7MW of additional capacity will be opened in two new facilities in due course.

Switch Datacenters Gain ISO 27001 Certification - Switch Datacenters, a carrier-neutral data centre in Amsterdam, has been certified by the BSI Group in accordance with ISO 27001, the most stringent standard in the field of data security. The 8,000 square metre Amsterdam facility was established by Switch Datacenters in 2011. “Being awarded the ISO 27001 certification confirms that our organisation has professionally and efficiently implemented all the processes relating to data security,” says Gregor Snip, founder and Technical Director of Switch Datacenters, which is based in Amsterdam. “This offers our clients ultimate security.”

NGD Europe Earns SSAE16: Next Generation Data (NGD) announced today that its NGD Europe data centre has achieved Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements (SSAE16) standards compliance. Assessed by auditors PwC, this certification demonstrates NGD’s adherence to the highest operating and reporting standards expected by US and other global organisations located at the tier 3+ facility near Newport, South Wales. Being accredited with the SSAE16 standard ensures that NGD’s services are suitable for customers that need to comply with legal requirements such as Sarbanes-Oxley and that its data centre is fully secure. SSAE16 not only verifies that the controls and processes set in place by a data centre are actually followed but also requires verification of design and operating effectiveness.