Starting today, the UK has classified datacenters as critical national infrastructure (CNI), granting them special government support. This initiative aims to mitigate the economic impact of IT outages, cyberattacks, and extreme weather events. A dedicated CNI data infrastructure team, comprising senior government officials, will monitor threats and coordinate emergency responses.

Tech Secretary Peter Kyle stated, ‘Datacenters are the engines of modern life. Bringing them into the CNI regime will enhance coordination with the government against unexpected events.’ The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) will also receive priority access to datacenters when warranted.

However, DSIT, the leading department behind the change, has yet to respond to requests for clarification regarding the specifics of this priority access.

Felicity Oswald, CEO of the NCSC, welcomed the move, emphasizing the need for high-level security to combat cyber threats. Oswald stated, ‘Today’s designation acknowledges the essential role of datacenters in our economy and society.’

Designating datacenters as CNI is intended to deter cybercriminal activities, ensuring minimal disruption to services during any attacks. This change reflects an acknowledgment of the critical role datacenters play in modern digital economies, and it aims to reinforce confidence for future sector investments.

TechUK’s COO, Matthew Evans, praised the decision, highlighting the importance of datacenters in driving economic growth. Evans emphasized the need for ongoing collaboration to implement these new measures effectively.

Global cybersecurity experts like Darktrace’s Toby Lewis pointed out the importance of cross-border compliance, given the international nature of data storage. He stressed the potential need for separate infrastructures to manage critical services without hindering innovation or increasing costs.

This move comes shortly after a significant £3.75 billion investment announcement for constructing Europe’s largest datacenter in Hertfordshire by DC01UK. The Labour government’s determination to unlock datacenters’ economic potential is clear, as seen in the recent reversal of planning blocks for new datacenters.

Overall, the UK government’s decision marks a milestone in recognizing the critical role of datacenters and enhancing national resilience against cyber threats and infrastructure disruptions.