Data centres, initially conceived as simple digital warehouses for our files and emails, have transformed into the very engines driving the age of artificial intelligence. This monumental shift, while representing incredible progress, casts a long shadow in the form of escalating cyber threats. As our reliance on AI and the ultra-fast connectivity of 5G deepens, so too does the allure of our interconnected systems for cybercriminals. These digital fortresses now hold not just data, but the keys to critical infrastructure and operate at speeds where even milliseconds of compromise can have cascading effects. 

But the fundamental question remains: can we truly secure these vital hubs? Gopi Sirineni, CEO and Co-founder, Axiado, speaks in detail on the challenges and risks and need for advanced cybersecurity.

Q1. What are the key challenges for data centres in today’s era?

Ans. Since their creation, data centres have been used solely as storage hubs, quietly holding emails, photos, and business files. Today, however, they’ve become the powerhouses of the digital world, fueling the rise of artificial intelligence. Despite being a major advancement in digital innovation, data centres have a small catch. The more we rely on AI and 5G, the more attractive our online systems become to cybercriminals. These systems hold valuable data, control critical services, and operate at speeds that leave little room for error. A single breach could bring all allied industries to a standstill. Here’s the real question—can we keep it safe?

The demand for data centres continues to expand with the proliferation of virtual data. AI applications are growing in both complexity and scale, and companies are building larger, more powerful facilities to keep pace. Unlike traditional workloads, AI models need massive computing power, specialised chips (like GPUS and TPUS), and advanced cooling systems to prevent overheating. The global AI data centre market size was valued at USD 12.95 billion in 2023. The market is projected to grow from USD 15.13 billion in 2024 to USD 94.03 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 25.7% during the forecast period.

But herein lies the problem: the demand for data centres is surpassing that of the supply. While the adoption and acceptance of AI is growing, building and scaling data centres takes time and heavy investment due to how long it takes to create them. This disconnect is creating a looming capacity crunch. With more data being funnelled into fewer, larger facilities, the stakes of a cyberattack become even higher. Hackers know these data hubs are goldmines, holding valuable intellectual property, customer information, and proprietary AI models, making them prime targets.

Q2. How 5G has transformed the risk appetite of Data centres? 

Ans. 5G is best known for making everything faster and more connected. With its lightning-fast speeds and low latency, 5G networks are enabling AI to run at the edge. Similar to that, autonomous cars are making instant decisions, or AI-powered healthcare devices are tracking patients in real time.

A recent research report by the Benton Institute of Broadband and Society highlights the rapid utilisation of 5G. According to the study, 5G global connections reached nearly 2 billion in Q1 2024, with 185 million new additions in the first quarter alone. The report projects that 5G connections will soar to 7.7 billion by 2028, driven by expanding coverage, rising demand for high-speed data, and the growing adoption of IoT devices.

But this speed comes with a security trade-off. Unlike older networks, 5G uses a decentralised architecture with more entry points, making it harder to secure. Even a single weak link—an unprotected IoT device or misconfigured network node—could open the door to widespread cyberattacks.

These risks aren’t just theoretical, they’re becoming a reality. In recent years, we’ve seen major data centre breaches and attacks on critical infrastructure. A ransomware attack on a data centre could lock companies out of their own AI models for an unprecedented amount of time. A targeted breach on a 5G-powered transportation system could disrupt entire cities.

And with AI itself being used to launch smarter, faster attacks, the cyber threat landscape is evolving. Hackers are using AI to automate phishing campaigns, bypass security protocols, and find vulnerabilities faster than ever before.

Q3. What are the needs for AI-powered cybersecurity solutions for data centre operations?

Ans. To effectively safeguard AI-powered data centres and the expansive 5G networks they support, companies must fundamentally rethink their security strategies. Here’s a crucial set of actions they need to take:

• AI-Powered Security: The sheer volume and velocity of modern cyber threats necessitate the deployment of AI-driven security systems. These systems can analyze massive data flows in real time, identify subtle anomalies that would escape human detection, and automatically block suspicious activity before it can propagate and cause damage. Think of sophisticated anomaly detection algorithms and behavioral analysis tools that learn normal network patterns and flag deviations instantly.
• Zero-Trust Networks: In the distributed landscape of 5G, the principle of “trust no one by default” is paramount. Every device, user, and application attempting to access systems must be rigorously verified, regardless of whether they are inside or outside the traditional network perimeter.
• Data Segmentation: Isolating AI workloads and sensitive data from other systems within the data centre is a critical containment strategy. Should one part of the network be compromised, this segmentation limits the blast radius and prevents attackers from gaining access to more critical assets.
• Real-Time Monitoring: The high-speed connectivity of 5G demands continuous, real-time monitoring of network activity. Security teams need the ability to instantly detect and respond to threats as they emerge, minimizing the window of opportunity for attackers.
• Stronger Encryption: Protecting the confidentiality of sensitive AI data through robust encryption is essential. Even if attackers manage to exfiltrate data, strong encryption renders it unusable without the correct decryption keys.

It’s also important to recognize that while AI-powered tools are vital, the expertise of human security analysts remains crucial. They interpret the insights provided by AI, handle complex and novel threats, and continuously refine security strategies. The synergy between AI and human intelligence is key.

Q4. What is the road ahead in balancing Innovation with Security?

Ans.  While 2025 is still in its early stages, the trajectory is clear: AI, 5G, and data centres will continue to be the primary engines of innovation, reshaping industries and our daily lives. We can anticipate even faster adoption of AI across various sectors, broader and more pervasive 5G coverage, and an increasing reliance on edge computing to enable real-time decision-making closer to the data source.

However, this relentless progress will inevitably be accompanied by an intensification of cyber threats. This necessitates a parallel and equally aggressive adoption of advanced security measures, including AI-powered security solutions, the implementation of zero-trust network architectures, and the widespread use of robust encryption techniques. The escalating demand for data centre capacity will continue to drive expansion and foster innovation in sustainable infrastructure development. Ultimately, the ability to effectively balance technological advancement with robust security will be the defining factor in shaping a secure and resilient digital future.