The demand for data centers is on the uptick, being driven by the increased growth of digital services from cloud computing, AI, and 5G to apps on smartphones, laptops, and desktops. To keep up with this surge, approximately 4,750 data centers are now actively under construction across the U.S.
However, a significant aspect of energy consumption is dedicated to data center cooling systems, which are crucial for maintaining optimal operating temperatures and preventing hardware failure. This is straining electric grids in areas with high demand due to aging infrastructure or lagging power availability. Additionally, a predominant method, water-based cooling, utilizes vast amounts of water, putting undue pressure on local water sources.
Criminal activity surrounding data center disruption is another concern. Some cybercriminals target the software installed in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems because it is connected to an operator’s data center infrastructure management program via the Internet of Things.
Cybercriminals could also act on IoT weak points—often accessible through unchanged default passwords—to overwhelm HVAC infrastructure, causing data centers to overheat and, sometimes, partially or fully shut down.
Furthermore, in a study published by the New Jersey-based Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, researchers found that cooling systems in many data centers are insufficient or intentionally throttled to save costs. This enables infiltrators to exploit data centers by running computationally intensive workloads on targeted servers in a so-called “thermal attack.”
Resolving security, operational efficiency, and environmental impact issues will be critical to continuing the data center growth trajectory.
Rick Focke, director of product management, enterprise access control at Johnson Controls, offered expert insights on the physical security challenges and solutions being considered with the rise of this unprecedented construction. Focke previously served as director of marketing at Schneider Electric and Andover Controls. He is an alumnus of Bucknell University.
Johnson Controls offers a portfolio of building technology, software, and services. Supported by a team of more than 100,000 dedicated employees working across 150 countries, the company helps customers achieve their sustainability goals and power their mission.
What is causing the increase in data center activity? Can you elaborate on how data centers affect the surrounding area in terms of power and cooling?
Data centers are the backbone of critical infrastructure, powering everything from AI-driven insights to real-time transactions across enterprises. This surge in digital demand has led to an unprecedented increase in data center activity, driven by the rapid adoption of cloud computing, AI workloads, and edge computing. Data centers can play a crucial role in supporting their surrounding areas—particularly when it comes to power and cooling.
These centers can drive advancement in energy efficiency, often prompting investments in grid modernization and innovative cooling solutions to manage heat output more effectively. As a result, data centers contribute to long-term improvements that encourage the adoption of sustainable energy practices, helping balance energy demands and promoting greater environmental responsibility.
What are some of the efficient innovations taking place to make data centers more sustainable?
Data centers are embracing innovative solutions to enhance sustainability without compromising reliability or uptime. Given that HVAC systems can account for up to 40% of a data center’s electricity use, optimizing cooling efficiency is a top priority. One effective approach is pairing mission-critical computer room air handling (CRAH) units with air-cooled, magnetic-bearing chillers, which significantly reduce energy consumption while maintaining stable operating conditions.
Additionally, as technology leaders commit to net-zero and water conservation goals, these innovations play a crucial role in reducing environmental impact. By integrating advanced cooling technologies, data centers can operate more efficiently and sustainably.
How will new data centers be kept secure from threat actors?
Securing new data centers from threat actors requires a multilayered approach that combines physical, cyber-, and operational security measures. Advanced access controls, biometric authentication, and 24/7 surveillance help prevent unauthorized physical entry. New, innovative, rack-by-rack access controls help ensure the right person is allowed into the right rack, even in colocation facilities, and offer a granular audit trail of access history for compliance requirements.
Cybersecurity strategies include AI-driven threat detection, zero-trust architecture, and continuous network monitoring to identify and mitigate risks in real time. Additionally, data centers implement rigorous compliance frameworks and employee training programs to reduce human-related vulnerabilities. As cyber-threats evolve, integrating automation, AI-driven security analytics, and robust incident response plans ensures resilience.
By prioritizing both physical and digital security, data centers can safeguard critical infrastructure against emerging threats.
How will physical security solutions within new and expanded data centers intersect with cyber-protections?
In recent years, concerns over both physical and cyber-threats to data centers have grown significantly. Attackers are becoming more sophisticated and coordinated, targeting both digital and physical security measures, such as gaining unauthorized access to the center and encrypting sensitive data. This escalating threat landscape underscores the need for more robust and comprehensive defense strategies. To effectively mitigate risks, organizations must adopt an integrated security ecosystem that seamlessly addresses both physical and cyber-vulnerabilities. By leveraging advanced threat detection, real-time monitoring, and proactive defense mechanisms, data centers can enhance resilience and safeguard critical infrastructure against evolving attacks.
How can Johnson Controls help in this area?
Johnson Controls plays a crucial role in securing data centers, which support critical infrastructure such as power grids, transportation systems, and healthcare. A compromised data center can pose risks ranging from personal to national security, making robust protection essential.
Johnson Controls integrates technologies such as radar, cameras, gates, and barriers, along with advanced video, mass notification, redundancy, and cloud-based security solutions. By providing a comprehensive approach, Johnson Controls can better support data centers to execute security practices that ensure compliance standards and mitigate both internal and external threats.
Looking to the future, do you have any predictions for the data center space? How do you see it evolving?
The rapid expansion of data centers shows no signs of slowing down—it will continue to accelerate. However, we can anticipate increased focus on compliance and regulation to ensure that data centers are built with safety, health, and sustainability in mind, aligning with evolving industry standards and environmental goals.
With these trends in mind, it will be crucial for data centers to continue leveraging leading technology solutions that complete the full needs of heating and cooling solutions and physical and cyber-protection and capture real-time insights and recommendations to appropriately improve tactics and ensure safety and efficiency to all data center environments. To keep pace with these trends, data centers must be staffed with well-trained personnel who are equipped with the latest technology solutions. This will ultimately improve execution, optimize strategies, and elevate overall service and support.