The Ministry of Digital Development of Russia has issued guidelines for protecting data centers against drone attacks and other aerial threats. These recommendations apply to all existing, under-construction, and planned facilities, regardless of their ownership structure.
The initiative follows drone strikes on five data centers operated by Yandex, Sberbank, and VK. The new framework categorizes facilities into three tiers based on their strategic importance, ranging from critical infrastructure to standard corporate sites.
Proposed security measures include reducing visual detectability, reinforcing machine halls, and shielding cooling and power systems from blast waves and shrapnel. Operators are also advised to deploy electronic warfare systems and establish coordination with the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, and the National Guard.
Industry experts estimate that implementing these security upgrades will increase service costs by approximately 10%, excluding inflation. The specific technical solutions will vary by site, potentially requiring physical barriers, anti-drone netting, or geographically distributed redundancy.
The industry faces additional challenges, including rising electricity tariffs, equipment shortages, and high interest rates. Furthermore, the construction of new infrastructure components is expected to take between 6 and 12 months.
