As AI technologies proliferate, data centers serving AI infrastructure become prime targets for cyberattacks. Recent reports indicate that many enterprises have already experienced AI privacy breaches, with malicious attacks on AI systems on the rise. While enterprises strive to scale generative AI, they must equally prioritize cybersecurity and sustainability.
A significant portion of enterprises (41%) have already grappled with AI privacy breaches, while a quarter of them have faced malicious attacks on their AI systems. These attacks commonly exploit vulnerabilities such as data poisoning, adversarial samples, and model stealing, underscoring the pressing need for enhanced data center security.
Data centers have emerged as high-value targets for cyberattacks, particularly state-sponsored ones. Attack strategies encompass disabling cooling systems, obstructing airflow, and damaging servers, CPUs, and GPUs. These vulnerabilities necessitate a holistic approach to cybersecurity and sustainability.
Four Strategies for Data Center Security and Sustainability:
1. Real-time Asset Visibility: Enterprises must attain real-time visibility of every data center asset, including energy usage. This enables timely threat identification and promotes energy efficiency, reducing the risk of breaches.
2. Microsegmentation of Physical Systems: Microsegmenting industrial control systems controlling data center environments is essential. It safeguards against attacks on cooling systems and prevents temperature-induced damage to critical infrastructure.
3. Assume a Breach: Implementing measures under the assumption of an imminent breach can preemptively harden data centers. This strategy ensures infrastructure resilience and minimizes disruptions due to attacks.
4. Embrace Real-time Monitoring and XDR: The adoption of Extended Detection and Response (XDR) facilitates streamlined security operations, improves threat detection, and reduces energy costs. Real-time data collection enhances threat modeling and supports sustainable data center practices.
XDR, characterized by deep AI and ML integration, is a consolidation strategy preferred by CISOs. It effectively reduces the number of security vendors and aids data centers in achieving sustainability goals. Prominent XDR platform providers include Broadcom, Cisco, Fortinet, Microsoft, and more.
XDR is proving to be a game-changer for data centers, helping them save energy costs, reduce CO2 emissions, enhance application performance, and fortify cybersecurity. The adoption of XDR is key to improving the overall resilience and reliability of data center operations.
In the evolving landscape of AI and data center management, the convergence of sustainability and cybersecurity stands out as a top priority. As cyber threats escalate and sustainability becomes an integral part of business operations, enterprises must proactively safeguard their data centers using real-time data and XDR technology. These measures not only secure AI infrastructure but also drive sustainability in the era of generative AI.
