Globally, data centers are designed and built as mission-critical facilities. They are used to analyze data produced by consumers and enterprise end-users. Data centers are shielded from both logical and physical security threats. All modern data centers employ at least four security layers to prevent unauthorized access.
Storage devices and servers are components of a data center. The physical security of these components includes protection from external threats and intrusions that could disrupt business operations. Access control systems, camera-based video surveillance, and perimeter security are also included.
Hyperscale data centers are typically constructed on vast tracts of land, with many exceeding 100,000 square feet. The physical security of such hyperscale data centers must be extensive, with video surveillance, access controls, and the presence of data center technicians all contributing to the data center's safety from physical threats. In 2020, the global hyperscale market saw investments in approximately 120 hyperscale initiatives with a power capacity of over 15 MW.
Additionally, investments were made in the United States for around 47 hyperscale data center ventures in North America. The largest contributor was Facebook, which is developing 16 hyperscale data centers nationwide with an estimated total investment of USD 6.20 billion and a total power capacity of about 950 MW. As a result, the factors above are anticipated to increase market size.
Data center operators have begun to acquire efficient and effective infrastructure, such as anti-climb fencing, as opposed to simple chain link fencing. With additional security that detects intruders close to or smashing through the fence, anti-climb perimeter security systems operate tactilely and visually. The demand for anti-climb perimeter fencing is soaring as data center investments increase yearly.
The security of all data centers must come first, and areas where terrorist attacks have occurred in the past require the installation of anti-climb perimeter protection systems. For instance, Teraco Data Environments, Reliance Jio Infocomm, N+ONE, and Africa Data Centres have outfitted their data centers with various types of perimeter fencing. It is anticipated that during the forecast period, an increasing number of data center operators will adopt perimeter fencing to ensure the security of user data, creating opportunities for market expansion.
North America is the most significant global data centeecurity r physical smarket shareholder and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 6.37% during the forecast period. The market for physical security in North America is expanding because of the rapid expansion of data centers. With early availability and adoption of cutting-edge technology and investments from colocation service providers, hyperscale data center operators, businesses, and government organizations, the North American data center market is propelling growth throughout the entire data center industry. All new technological advancements in the field of data centers must first pass through this region, which functions as an incumbent.
In 2020, the North American market witnessed the development and expansion of approximately 145 data center facilities, of which over 130 are in the United States and 13 are in Canada. Canada is also a developing market for data centers. The region also sees increased investments in constructing hyperscale facilities with power capacities exceeding 20 MW. With a combined power capacity of over 20 MW, over 50 hyperscale data centers were operational in North America in 2020.