Mark of Trust launched by BSI to meet global surge for Data Centres

Launched by the British Standards Institution (BSI), the new Mark of Trust for secure, reliable and sustainable Data Centres, itself based on international standards, has been developed to provide trust and confidence that the increasing global demand for Data Centres can be delivered sustainably and efficiently over the longer term, even while addressing key concerns around energy demand, regulatory compliance, supply chain vulnerability, water usage and the strain placed on existing infrastructure and local communities.

The global scheme will help tech companies to assure their clients, regulators and consumers alike that their Data Centre facilities and operations meet global compliance and align with international Best Practice.

The Mark of Trust is designed to ensure that Data Centre providers can satisfactorily address Government and regulatory scrutiny and that sites can be readily demonstrated as compliant with emerging global regulations, while using international Best Practice to differentiate themselves from other providers.

Following on from a pilot phase, the BSI has certified BK Gulf LLC, a leading EPC contractor within the UAE and Middle East Data Centre markets, to the Availability and Protection module of the Mark of Trust. This certification is a key milestone in the organisation’s successful journey to sustainable and efficient Data Centres and further demonstrates its ability to deliver projects that are consistently compliant and aligned with international Best Practice.

Necessary infrastructure 

David Mudd, global head of digital trust assurance at the BSI, explained: “The promise of technology and, in particular, AI has never been greater, but that promise will not be realised without the necessary infrastructure sitting behind it.”

Mudd continued: “Tech companies face unprecedented operational, regulatory and reputational pressure as they try to meet the exponential growth and demand for Data Centres fuelled by the rise of AI. Organisations will now be able to meet these pressures head-on, while inspiring trust and confidence among clients, regulators and consumers that their facilities and operations meet global compliance and align with international Best Practice.”

Andrew Butterfield, the BSI’s managing director for the built environment, stated: “We would like to congratulate BK Gulf LLC on certifying to the Availability and Protection module of the Mark of Trust, which demonstrates its leadership in industry Best Practice. We’re proud to be its trusted partner on this journey towards driving innovation and excellence. BK Gulf LLC was among the first organisations to achieve the BIM Kitemark and this latest certification further underscores the commitment to embracing international standards. The BSI’s Mark of Trust will help organisations such as BK Gulf LLC to build resilience, remain future-ready and secure an AI future that works for all.”

Published global standard

Aly Diab, design and engineering manager at BK Gulf LLC, added: “BK Gulf is pleased to receive the Data Centres Mark of Trust from the BSI. As a leading EPC organisation in the region, this recognition reflects BK Gulf’s proven track record, organisational capability and the robustness of its engineering, management, procurement and construction systems to consistently deliver Data Centre facilities and infrastructure in full compliance with the availability and protection requirements laid out in the international standard ISO/IEC 22237-1.”

Diab affirmed: “This achievement is particularly significant as it’s not a single-project accreditation, but rather a certification against a published global standard, independently assessed and audited by one of the world’s most respected and authoritative standards bodies. That chimes with our sustained commitment to quality, reliability and excellence across all of our mission-critical projects.”

In conclusion, Diab noted: “In a region experiencing rapid growth and AI-driven digital transformation, this certification reinforces BK Gulf’s role and commitment as a trusted partner in delivering the next generation of Data Centre infrastructure that underpins the digital economy.”

Two versions 

The Mark of Trust is an independent, modular and globally recognised framework designed to validate technical, operational and compliance excellence for Data Centre facilities and operations.

The BSI will offer two versions of the Mark of Trust – one designed for facilities and the other for services. It comprises of flexible modules, each addressing a key issue in the Data Centre industry from business continuity to carbon usage through to water management. As priorities vary across stakeholders and regions, they can be addressed in the order most appropriate for the company.

The BSI will regularly review the number of modules and the specific requirements within each module to ensure they continue to address the industry’s evolving needs such that the Mark of Trust remains relevant in what is undoubtedly a fast-paced environment.