Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle, has revealed that the UK government has officially designated data centers—key facilities that house a significant portion of the country’s data—as ‘Critical National Infrastructure.’
This marks the first new Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) classification in nearly ten years, following the space and defense sectors’ designation in 2015.
The designation means that data stored and processed in UK data centers—including everything from smartphone photos to NHS patient records and sensitive financial data—will be better protected against outages, cyberattacks, and severe weather events. By placing data centers on par with essential services like water, energy, and emergency services, the sector can now anticipate increased government support for both recovery and incident preparedness. This move is expected to bolster industry confidence, encourage investment in the UK, and contribute to broader economic growth.
The Critical National Infrastructure designation will establish a specialized CNI data infrastructure team composed of senior government officials. This team will be responsible for monitoring and anticipating potential threats, ensuring prioritized access to security agencies such as the National Cyber Security Centre, and coordinating emergency services in the event of an incident.
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Europe’s Largest Data Center
In related news, the government has announced its support for a proposed GBP 3.75 billion investment in Europe’s largest data center. Plans for this facility, submitted by data company, DC01UK, to Hertsmere Borough Council, are set to bring over 700 local jobs to Hertfordshire and support an additional 13,740 data and tech jobs nationwide.
The Critical National Infrastructure status is expected to deter cyber criminals from targeting data centers that store crucial health and financial information, thereby reducing disruptions to individuals, the NHS, and the broader economy.
Should an attack occur on a data center housing critical NHS patient data, the government will step in to ensure that contingency measures are implemented to minimize damage and protect essential services, including patient appointments and operations.
Additionally, these enhanced protections are anticipated to bolster investor confidence in the UK data center industry, which currently generates approximately GBP 4.6 billion annually.
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“Data centers are the engines of modern life; they power the digital economy and keep our most personal information safe,” Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle, said.
He noted that integrating data centers into the Critical National Infrastructure regime would enhance coordination and collaboration with the government as they counter cyber threats and address unexpected events.
He also highlighted that the substantial GBP 3.75 billion private investment in Hertfordshire reflects confidence in these plans and underscores his commitment to leveraging technological advancements to drive economic growth and generate wealth nationwide.
