Data Center News Roundup: UK Bolsters Data Center Security, DOE Launches Energy Roadmap

With data center news moving faster than ever, we want to make it easy for industry professionals to cut through the noise and find the most important stories of the week. 

The Data Center Knowledge News Roundup brings you the latest news and developments across the data center industry – from investments and mergers to security threats and industry trends. 

To keep up to date with all things data centers, subscribe to the Data Center Knowledge newsletter to get content straight to your inbox. 

Critical Issue 

The UK government this week announced that it would class data centers as ‘critical national infrastructure’ – a move that’s expected to strengthen the security and resilience of the country’s digital economy. 

This marks the first critical infrastructure designation in nearly a decade and places data centers alongside essential sectors like water, energy, and emergency services. 

The new status will provide data centers with prioritized access to security agencies, improved threat monitoring, and faster recovery from disruptions, including cyber-attacks.  

Commenting on the announcement, UK Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: “Data centers are the engines of modern life. They power the digital economy and keep our most personal information safe. 

Related:Oracle CloudWorld 2024: Embracing Multi-Cloud, Nuclear Energy, and Other Event Highlights

“Bringing data centers into the critical national infrastructure regime will allow better coordination and cooperation with the government against cyber criminals and unexpected events.” 

The news came as Amazon said it would spend £8 billion ($10.5 billion) in the UK to grow its cloud business, and plans were submitted for a £3.75 billion ($4.9 billion) data center site in Hertfordshire. 

Energy Impact 

Over in North America, Data Center Knowledge writer Sean Kerner took a deep dive into the US Department of Energy’s latest AI energy report. 

Published by the DOE in collaboration with a wide range of data center industry stakeholders, the report addresses the escalating energy needs of artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure. 

Among the recommendations, the report called for the creation of a “data center AI testbed” within the DOE to facilitate partnerships between national labs, academia, and industry in developing energy-efficient AI algorithms. 

It also stressed the need for collaboration between energy utilities, data center developers, and operators, and a “rapid assessment” of the cost, performance, and supply chain issues facing power generation, storage, and grid technologies to support regional data center expansion. 

Related:DOE Report Exposes Critical Impact of AI on Data Center Power Consumption

Read the full article for complete details and expert insights. 

CloudWorld Soars to New Heights 

In other news this week, we sat in on the key sessions at this year’s Oracle CloudWorld conference in Las Vegas.  

The event highlighted how Oracle’s advancements, from AI-driven financial reporting to ambitious plans for small nuclear reactors, are shaping the future of digital infrastructure.  

Key discussions included the rise of multi-cloud partnerships and the growing importance of AI in enhancing cloud security. 

Dive into the full highlights for a detailed breakdown of these developments and their implications for the industry. 

Chip Challenges and Opportunities 

The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) has released its 2024 State of the Industry Report, revealing both growth prospects and ongoing challenges for the US semiconductor sector. 

The global semiconductor market, valued at $527 billion last year, is projected to surpass $600 billion in 2024 due to increased demand and recovery from a market downturn.  

According to the report, the industry is poised to further expand its fabrication capacity, driven by the CHIPS and Science Act – legislation that has led to a projected $450 billion in new manufacturing investments across 28 states. 

Related:New Data Center Developments: September 2024

“Overall, the semiconductor industry is well-positioned for long-term growth,” the report states. “As innovation continues to increase globally, so will the need for semiconductors to serve as the foundation of that progress.” 

Other Great Reads in DCK This Week 

Data Lakes Evolve: Divisive Architecture Fuels New Era of AI Analytics. The once-simple data lake continues to evolve to drive enterprise analytics. That matters more today as AI knocks on the corporate door. 

Data Center Administrator Essentials: Key Skills and Responsibilities. From infrastructure management to threat prevention, data center admins are crucial to a data center's successful operations. Here's what sets this role apart. 

Circular Economy in Data Center Operations: Turning Waste into Opportunity. By embracing circular economy practices, data centers can transform from isolated entities into integrated community assets, writes Scott Jarnagin. 

Brookfield’s Data4 to Invest $331M in New Athens Site. The new data center hub in Greece will act as a strategic link between Europe and the MENA region.