• BSI establishes global standard for security, availability and sustainability
• Data centre boom calls for new trust mechanisms

The global expansion of data centres is accelerating rapidly. Artificial intelligence, cloud computing and data-intensive applications are driving the demand for powerful digital infrastructure to new levels. At the same time, requirements for operational security, sustainability, regulatory compliance and social acceptance are growing. Against this backdrop, the British Standards Institution (BSI) has introduced a new global certification programme: the Mark of Trust for data centres.

The new mark of trust is designed to help technology companies and their supply chains transparently demonstrate compliance with the highest international standards – to customers, regulators, investors and the public.

A framework for sustainable and resilient growth

The Mark of Trust is based on internationally recognised standards and was developed to build confidence in the industry’s ability to meet the rapidly growing demand for data centre services efficiently and responsibly in the long term. It focuses on key challenges facing the industry: rising energy demand, water consumption, regulatory complexity, supply chain dependencies, and pressures on existing infrastructure and local communities.

The aim is to provide data centre operators and project partners with clear, verifiable proof that their locations and operating models comply with global best practices and at the same time meet future regulatory requirements.

Dynamic market under increasing scrutiny

According to the BSI, the global market for data centres will more than double by 2032. At the same time, the number of so-called hyperscale data centres is doubling every five years or so. With this growth, political and regulatory pressure on operators to address issues of energy efficiency, security of supply and sustainability in a convincing manner is also increasing.

The Mark of Trust is therefore designed not only as a seal of quality, but also as a strategic tool for differentiation in an increasingly competitive market.

Pilot certification in the Middle East

Following a pilot phase, the BSI has certified BK Gulf LLC as the first company under the new programme. The leading EPC service provider in the data centre market in the United Arab Emirates received certification for the Availability and Protection module. The BSI thus confirms that BK Gulf is capable of consistently implementing data centre projects in accordance with international standards.

For BK Gulf, the certification marks an important milestone on the path to sustainable and high-performance data centre infrastructures – not on a project-by-project basis, but as organisation-wide recognition.

Voices from the market

David Mudd, Global Head of Digital Trust Assurance at BSI, emphasises the strategic importance of the new seal:

The potential of technology, and AI in particular, is enormous, but can only be realised if the underlying infrastructure is reliable, secure and trustworthy. The Mark of Trust enables organisations to proactively address regulatory and public pressure while building credibility.

Andrew Butterfield, Managing Director Built Environment at BSI, also highlights the symbolic nature of the certification. It shows that companies such as BK Gulf are prepared not only to meet international standards, but also to actively live by them – a decisive factor for future viability and resilience.

On behalf of BK Gulf, Aly Diab, Design & Engineering Manager, emphasises the significance of the award: the certification confirms the organisational maturity, technical competence and robustness of the processes involved in planning, procurement and construction. It is particularly relevant that this is an independent, globally valid assessment that is not limited to a single project.

Modular structure for different requirements

The Mark of Trust is designed as an independent, modular framework. It assesses the technical, operational and regulatory excellence of data centres and is offered in two versions: one for data centre locations and one for services.

The individual modules address key issues in the industry, including business continuity, security and protection concepts, energy and CO₂ management, and water use. Companies can complete the modules flexibly and in an order that suits them in order to take regional or industry-specific priorities into account.

Securing the future through continuous development

In order to remain relevant in the long term, the BSI will regularly review the content and structure of the Mark of Trust and adapt it to new technological, regulatory and social developments. The certification programme thus positions itself as a dynamic reference framework for an industry that is evolving at a rapid pace.

With the Mark of Trust, the BSI is setting a new standard for trust, transparency and international comparability in the global data centre market – while also creating a foundation for a digital infrastructure that combines growth and responsibility.