International Data Centre Day: focus on security, skills, sustainability

International Data Centre Day, which falls on March 26 in 2025, is a time to celebrate the innovation and growth of the data centre industry, and also to reflect on sustainability progress and the road ahead, said Jimmy Yam, VP, East Asia, Eaton. 

"It’s exciting to see how the data centre industry is evolving, with AI demand driving a record US$57 B in global data centre investment last year, and new innovations like DeepSeek signalling promising developments for the future," he said. 

"However, as AI becomes more accessible, it’s even more important to position sustainability at the forefront of the conversation." 

Yam elaborated: "With advances in power management and cooling technology, data centre operators can support intensive AI workloads through more energy-efficient technologies, such as two-phase immersion and direct-to-chip cooling. 

"Battery energy storage systems can store solar energy generated on-site, reducing carbon emissions by leveraging greener energy sources. AI-powered predictive analytics insights could also enable more effective data centre infrastructure management. 

"However, sustainability is not just about adopting new technologies or building more AI-dedicated facilities. It’s also about looking internally - ensuring that teams are empowered to tackle both AI and sustainability in a holistic manner. 

"Oftentimes, IT and facility teams have their own goals to meet, whether in ensuring AI readiness, or meeting sustainability and energy efficiency targets. Cross-collaboration between IT and facility teams, as well as frameworks to ensure accountability, will help prevent silos and ensure decisions are made with both considerations in mind." 

Data centre concept artwork generated
by Dream by WOMBO.

"I am optimistic that with continued conversations about AI and sustainability, we will build a more sustainable, digital future led by the data centre industry," he concluded.

Said Yee May Leong, MD, Equinix Singapore focused on skills. "As we celebrate International Data Center Day 2025, we recognise the crucial role data centres play in our modern economy and emerging markets by boosting education, sustainability and economic growth. These facilities are not just storage spaces for servers; they are essential for advancements like AI, which improve our daily experiences. Data centres enable breakthroughs in fields like life sciences and support fast financial transactions, making them vital for Smart Nation development and the realization of AI's potential in Singapore," she said.

"Today’s economy thrives on speed, scale, and intelligence. The surge in generative AI, real-time analytics, and hyperconnectivity is not only reshaping industries but also redefining how we live, work, and tackle global challenges. Data centers are at the heart of this transformation, serving as the engines that process, store, and secure the data fuelling progress. This is why the data centre industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, with US$734 billion in investments announced in 2024 and 2025 across 20 leading data centre companies.

"Accompanying this growth is a significant rise in demand for talent, with a 36% year-over-year increase in the need for data centre skills since 2024. AI is also a coveted skillset, and in recognizing this, the Singapore government aims to triple its number of AI practitioners to 15,000 by training locals as part of its national strategy. By nurturing the next generation of data centre professionals through internships and career programmes, we can secure the skills necessary to build resilient infrastructures that will support the challenges of tomorrow."

"The data centre industry stands at the forefront of the digital revolution. At Equinix, we continue to expand our data centre footprint sustainably and are committed to ushering in a new generation of data centre employees to help keep the world connected. Together, we are shaping a future that harnesses technology for the greater good, laying the foundation for shared progress," said Leong.

Darren Guccione, CEO and Co-Founder, Keeper Security, touched on the security aspect. He noted that data centres are the backbone of our digital world, though their role often goes unnoticed. "However, as cybercriminals increasingly target these critical infrastructures, credential-based attacks have become a top threat. Weak, stolen or shared passwords are common entry points for attackers looking to gain unauthorised access and cause damage," he said.

"Traditional security perimeters just aren’t enough anymore. To stay ahead of evolving threats, organisations need to adopt a Zero-Trust approach, where every user and device must be verified before access is granted. Implementing least-privilege access can also help limit the impact of breaches by restricting unnecessary access within networks."

"A robust privileged access management (PAM) strategy, combined with strong password management, is key to preventing credential compromise. These solutions automate password rotation, enforce multifactor authentication (MFA) and ensure that only authorised users can access sensitive systems. Without these protections, organisations risk severe data centre breaches, operational disruptions and costly regulatory penalties," he elaborated.

"Visibility is crucial too. By using PAM and password management tools, businesses have valuable audit trails to maintain compliance with data protection regulations. Integrating these solutions not only strengthens security but also simplifies access management, improving overall resilience against modern cyberthreats."