BSI has launched a new ‘Mark of Trust’ scheme designed to help data centre operators and their supply chains demonstrate that facilities and operations meet international standards for reliability, security and sustainability.
The scheme is positioned as a response to the rapid growth in global data centre capacity, which is being driven by AI and cloud computing, and the accompanying concerns around energy demand, water usage, supply chain resilience, regulatory compliance and the impact of new sites on local infrastructure and communities.
BSI says the Mark of Trust is based on international standards and is intended to provide a globally recognised way for operators to show alignment with best practice, particularly as emerging regulation and public scrutiny increases.
The standards and assurance body added that it has already certified BK Gulf LLC – an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor active in the UAE and wider Middle East market. BK Gulf received the mark in the ‘Availability and Protection’ module of the new scheme following a pilot phase.
David Mudd, BSI’s Global Head of Digital Trust Assurance, noted, “The promise of technology and in particular AI has never been greater, but it will not be realised without the necessary infrastructure sitting behind it. Tech companies face unprecedented operational, regulatory and reputational pressure as they try to meet the exponential growth and demand for data centers fuelled by the rise of AI. Organizations will now be able to meet these pressures head-on, while inspiring trust and confidence with clients, regulators and consumers that their facilities and operations meet global compliance and align with international best practice.”
A bid to reassure regulators and customers
The launch comes at a time when data centres are facing increasing pressure to evidence resilience and sustainability, with energy use and grid capacity frequently at the centre of planning debates. Operators in multiple markets are also contending with tighter expectations around cyber and physical security, alongside a growing focus on the provenance and robustness of critical supply chains.
BSI is positioning the Mark of Trust as a way for organisations to demonstrate compliance in a more consistent and recognisable way, rather than relying on fragmented or location-specific proof points.
The organisation also pointed to continued growth forecasts for the sector. It said the global data centre industry is expected to more than double from $242.72 billion to over $584 billion by 2032, with the number of hyperscale facilities forecast to roughly double every five years. In BSI’s view, that scale of expansion will only intensify scrutiny of how new facilities are designed, built and operated.
While the Mark of Trust has been framed around reliability, security and sustainability, BSI says the scheme is modular – allowing organisations to certify against specific focus areas, depending on what customers, regulators or local stakeholders are prioritising.
Andrew Butterfield, BSI’s Managing Director, Built Environment, added, “We’d like to congratulate BK Gulf LLC on certifying to the Availability and Protection module of the Mark of Trust, which demonstrates their leadership in industry best practice. We’re proud to be their trusted partner on this journey to driving innovation and excellence. BK Gulf LLC were among the first organisations to achieve the BIM Kitemark, and this latest certification further underscores their commitment to embracing international standards. BSI’s Mark of Trust will help organisations such as BK Gulf LLC, to build resilience, keep future-ready and secure an AI-future that works for all.”
What the Mark of Trust covers
BSI describes the Mark of Trust as an independent, globally recognised framework intended to validate technical, operational and compliance performance across data centre facilities and operations.
Two versions of the mark will be offered, one for facilities and another for services.
The framework is split into modules, with each one aimed at a specific challenge facing the sector. BSI says modules range from business continuity through to carbon usage and water management, enabling organisations to focus on the areas most relevant to their market and stakeholder expectations.
As priorities can vary significantly by region, particularly where grid constraints, water stress or planning environments differ, BSI says modules can be tackled in the order most appropriate for the organisation.
The body also says it will keep the scheme under review, with the number of modules and their requirements updated as the sector evolves.
