Connect | London // DCD>Debate: Ensuring data center security - Are we at risk of falling behind?

As Europe’s data center footprint expands to meet surging digital demand, these facilities are now firmly established as critical infrastructure - central to national security, economic stability, and societal resilience. This status brings sharper focus on both cybersecurity and physical security, as threats increasingly span both domains. From targeted cyberattacks to breaches of physical defenses, the convergence of these risks- amplified by hyperscale connectivity and geopolitical tensions - creates a new, complex security challenge.

Against this backdrop, Europe faces a pivotal question: Should stricter, integrated security requirements be enforced to protect these assets, even if it slows innovation and growth? This session will explore the balance between enabling digital transformation and securing the backbone of Europe’s digital economy in an era of converging physical and cyber threats.