UK reevaluates cloud reliance as data sovereignty concerns rise

The UK Government formally designated data centers as Critical National Infrastructure in 2024.

• Main announcement and expansion: The UK Government designated data centers as Critical National Infrastructure in 2024, signalling they are on par with sectors such as water, energy and healthcare; this elevates the policy framing of data centers as a matter of national resilience and operational security. The article cites planning announcements involving Amazon Web Services and Microsoft as evidence of continued hyperscale investment in UK digital infrastructure.
• Background, research findings and context: The piece reports original research showing 52% of UK IT decision-makers plan to reduce reliance on US-based cloud providers and 45% are seeking to limit exposure to US jurisdiction (citing the US Cloud Act as a legal driver). A commissioned study of 2,000 UK adults found 85% are not fully confident they understand data centers, 40% believe data centers mainly benefit big tech, and 53% do not understand what a data center is; the article frames these findings alongside rising energy constraints, cyber threats, and geopolitical tensions.