Event Recap
RECAP | ROUNDTABLE | Getting Ready for Climate Change
19 Dec 2018
The December 18th Inside Track roundtable “Getting Ready for Climate Change” drew representatives from companies based on three different continents. This geographic spread underscores the almost universal concern among data center operators that flooding, drought, infrastructure damage, high winds, lightning, and other natural phenomena pose an increased threat to their operations. Most of the roundtable participants acknowledged that climate change had already affected their operations.
As the discussion progressed, it became clear that about half the organizations had begun addressing the potential effects of global warming years ago. One participant noted a big change in how “climate change” projects were handled. He explained that over time, management had become more receptive to these projects. Kevin Heslin, chief editor, Uptime Institute, noted that businesses have to consider the possible reputational damage of a downtime incident.
In addition, several of the roundtable participants spoke of challenges relating to global operations or at least continent-wide operations. One participant noted that extreme weather effects in one region can cause a chain of problems. Superstorm Sandy, he said, had taught his organization a myriad of lessons, ranging from preparing infrastructure, incorporating appropriate SLAs (particularly in regard to fuel), and continuous improvement in procedures.
With at least two organizations just beginning to study their vulnerabilities, there was no shortage of questions about how to proceed and what issues to consider. Among the biggest surprise to them was the need to engage with local authorities and to consider (and continue re-evaluating) communications protocols and pathways.
Not surprisingly, the participants in the roundtable eagerly exchanged practical tips. The participants often cited concerns about different weather events, but, even so, the solutions shared a common thread:
As the discussion progressed, it became clear that about half the organizations had begun addressing the potential effects of global warming years ago. One participant noted a big change in how “climate change” projects were handled. He explained that over time, management had become more receptive to these projects. Kevin Heslin, chief editor, Uptime Institute, noted that businesses have to consider the possible reputational damage of a downtime incident.
In addition, several of the roundtable participants spoke of challenges relating to global operations or at least continent-wide operations. One participant noted that extreme weather effects in one region can cause a chain of problems. Superstorm Sandy, he said, had taught his organization a myriad of lessons, ranging from preparing infrastructure, incorporating appropriate SLAs (particularly in regard to fuel), and continuous improvement in procedures.
With at least two organizations just beginning to study their vulnerabilities, there was no shortage of questions about how to proceed and what issues to consider. Among the biggest surprise to them was the need to engage with local authorities and to consider (and continue re-evaluating) communications protocols and pathways.
Not surprisingly, the participants in the roundtable eagerly exchanged practical tips. The participants often cited concerns about different weather events, but, even so, the solutions shared a common thread:
- Evaluate the data center facility
- Consider local infrastructure, staffing, and SLAs
- Memorialize procedures, including, notification protocols; practice them; and revise as necessary
- Understand customer and communications needs
- Consult with providers and local authorities all the way to the Edge, and beyond
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