Data centers sit behind much of the technology businesses rely on every day, from cloud computing and AI to global operations. As the industry expands into new markets and takes on new infrastructure, security teams are being asked to think beyond site protection.
Discover the real-world strategies behind elite data center security in our latest Security Connected webisode, filmed on location at Pure Data Centre in London. Ian Madgett, Director of Security, Compliance, and Health & Safety, reveals how his team’s approach fuels business growth, speeds market entry, and helps businesses stay resilient in an unpredictable world. Don’t miss this inside look, essential viewing for decision-makers and security leaders across every fast-moving industry.
Here are six key takeaways from the conversation.
Security can help the business make better decisions
Ian describes a shift in how the business views security. Rather than treating security as an overhead tied mainly to insurance or compliance, he sees it as something that can support growth.
That starts well before the site opens. Security can help assess locations, consider how a site will operate, and understand what the business will need as it expands into new markets.
For companies operating across multiple locations, that early involvement can make a difference. Security teams often see risks and operational considerations that might not surface later in the planning process.
Strong security decisions come from what teams learn in the field
At Pure Data Centre, Ian describes collaboration between design, security, ICT, IT, and operational teams as a continuous feedback loop. A project might look right when it's delivered, but experience over the following year can reveal something that needs to change.
That experience feeds into future design and operations. Teams can reconsider a product, adjust a process or approach a project differently based on what they've learned.
It's a practical idea that applies well beyond data centers. Security programs should leave room for people to learn from what actually happens after a solution is deployed.
Physical and cyber security need to work together
A cyber event can affect physical infrastructure, while a physical vulnerability can create an opening for a cyber threat. Ian points to that connection as one reason security and IT teams need to work together rather than operate independently.
The issues can become more complicated as attackers gain access to technologies such as AI, which can help them carry out certain activities more efficiently.
For security leaders, the question is how those teams can share information and respond when a threat crosses traditional boundaries.
Resilience requires preparation before something happens
The risks facing a data center can look very different depending on where it's operating. Geopolitical developments, environmental conditions, and local requirements can all affect how a site prepares for disruption.
Ian's approach is to consider events that may seem unlikely, develop playbooks to respond to them, and then test those plans through realistic exercises. Training helps give teams a chance to see where a plan works and where it may need attention before they're dealing with an actual incident.
That preparation also extends into business continuity and compliance, which can involve requirements well beyond traditional security.
Technology works best when people know how to use it
Ian doesn't see technology as a replacement for security officers but rather sees the two working together. With technology providing capabilities that support the people responsible for responding, that connection also depends on the processes around the technology.
Checkpoints, procedures, training and development can all help determine whether a technology investment can deliver what the operation needs. For organizations considering new security technology, the more useful question may be how it fits into the wider operation rather than what the technology can do on its own.
New infrastructure can create new security considerations
Data center infrastructure is changing as operators look for ways to manage power constraints and support greater independence from the national grid. Ian points to microgrids as one example that is being developed.
New infrastructure can bring new security considerations. As the number and type of assets supporting a site change, security teams need to consider how those assets could be affected by physical and cyber threats.
The same principle applies across industries. When an organization changes how an operation is powered, connected, or automated, security needs to understand what has changed.
Security needs a seat at the table
The conversation with Ian comes back to a broader point that security works best when it stays connected to the business.
For a data center operator expanding to new countries, that can mean having a partner who understands the local requirements, can respond quickly when a new site comes online, and can support the operation as its needs change. Ian shares a recent example in Amsterdam, where Securitas conducted a site visit and began supporting the newly acquired location within 24 hours. As operations become more connected and organizations move quickly, security can contribute earlier, learn from the field, and help the business prepare for what's ahead.
Want to hear more? Watch the latest episode of Security Connected: Securing the digital economy for more on data center security, convergence, resilience, and how security can support business growth.
