The UK government has announced that they will now classify data centres as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) alongside energy and water systems, recognizing their vital role in the nation’s digital economy. This move, announced by Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, is designed to protect sensitive data and ensure business continuity during outages, cyberattacks, and adverse events.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said:
“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 huge £3.75 billion private investment announced today in Hertfordshire is a vote of confidence in those plans and a clear example of my determination to ensure technological advancements are helping to grow our economy and create wealth across the country.”
The timing of this announcement coincides with a significant £3.75 billion investment by DC01UK to build Europe’s largest data centre in Hertfordshire. The new designation offers reassurance to investors and ensures the UK remains a top destination for data infrastructure investment.
This development highlights the government’s ongoing commitment to improving the resilience of the data industry, following the recent cybersecurity threats like the Crowd Strike incident that affected NHS services. The new CNI status promises stronger protection against such disruptions, which can have catastrophic impacts on healthcare, financial services, and essential operations.
Bruce Owen, UK Managing Director of digital infrastructure provider Equinix, said:
“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.”
Matthew Evans, Director of Markets and Chief Operating Officer at techUK, said:
“techUK welcomes the government’s pivotal decision to designate the data centres sector as Critical National Infrastructure and the recognition of the critical role they play in the UK’s modern economy.
Data centres are fundamental to our digitising economy and are a key driver of growth. We look forward to collaborating closely with the government and our stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of these new measures and their impact on the sector. Continued engagement and partnership will be key in advancing our shared objectives of a secure, resilient, and thriving digital economy.
The new classification not only improves security but also promotes sustained economic growth by providing a stable and secure environment for businesses to thrive.”
