Opposition to Data Centers: Threats and Vulnerabilities

Though not directly related to this community, the topic has increasingly become of interest for many safety and security professionals. We have a unique opportunity to learn more through a panel discussion facilitated by Nikki Rutman and her colleagues at SENTINEL. 

Opposition to data centers across the United States is very likely to persist over the next 12-18 months, with the primary risks centered on protest-driven disruptions and sustained pressure on decisionmakers. Activists often employ confrontational tactics, such as highly charged protest rhetoric, litigation meant to stop or delay projects or recall drives targeting local officials that can escalate tensions, increasing the likelihood that participants or sympathetic outsiders may adopt more extreme or unpredictable behaviors. We will set the scene based on our observations and share best practices and considerations when protecting critical infrastructure like data centers and the key leaders involved in the development and implementation of the project.