WOMEN IN DATA CENTRES
INTRODUCTION
Despite significant advancements in the data centre industry , the number of women in this field remains disproportionately low , and the number of women in leadership lower still . It is startling that we ’ re still having to address this gender imbalance and it is clear how much progress is still required .
My journey and understanding of data centres began during my time editing Intelligent Data Centres magazine . It was revealed to me just how instrumental these facilities are to the world and it became clear why they ’ re referred to as the ‘ beating heart ’ of our economy – not to mention how much we rely on them day-to-day .
Publishing thought leadership articles predominantly attributed to men over several years opened my eyes to the stark underrepresentation of women in this industry , supported by the Uptime Institute Global Data Center Survey 2024 report which revealed 21 % of organisations reported having no female staff members in data centre design , build , or operations .
I quickly came to realise how , without women , the industry would lack innovation initiatives , digitalisation opportunities and essential skills . It ’ s also critical to ensure those women who are fulfilling careers in this space are heard and can share their perspectives to influence and inspire others to join them .
That is why in June this year , Lynchpin Media provided women in data centres with a platform to share their stories . They came together to collectively address the gender imbalance , which is still so prominent , and propose actionable insights to foster a more inclusive environment for all . In a bid to keep the conversation going , we then followed up with each of our panellists to delve deeper into their personal journeys and insights .
The discussions were rich and fruitful , centring on gender stereotypes , challenges faced and how organisations can act to help close the gap . Despite ‘ falling ’ into the industry , each of our panellists expressed their enthusiasm in doing so and showed a strong desire for other women and girls to follow suit . to be part of an ever-changing industry and how it provides an opportunity to help shape the future of innovation . The notion that without women , there will be no innovation was also highlighted and according to the Uptime Institute report , data centre teams employ around 10 % or less women and 20 % of organisations employ no women at all . However , our panellists collectively believe that getting more women and girls into STEM ( Science , Technology , Engineering and Mathematics ) subjects is one solution and will prove beneficial for driving change .
Several data centre organisations are taking steps to address this – launching programmes which offer young students the chance to broaden their capabilities and learn new skills . The benefits of doing so will ripple through the industry and be felt across all corners of the data centre . Getting more people into STEM will ensure resilience in the face of change whilst equipping the industry with the right tools for Digital Transformation .
Another takeaway from the panel discussion was the importance of retaining women and girls across the sector . The panellists agreed that reassessing employment models would be a good starting point to offer both men and women the same amount of paternity and maternity leave . They felt this would provide many benefits – one being that women would find it easier to return to work after having a child with better support .
A common thread throughout the individual discussions centred around education . These women were particularly passionate about educating younger generations about these critical facilities and generating awareness around the broad scope of roles it has to offer . In fact , one of our panellists highlighted her students ’ desire to visit data centres and widen their understanding from a practical perspective . Another panellist is the founder of Young Data Centre Professionals : a networking community which brings together those in the data centre industry under Director level .
Women in data centres should ultimately be prioritised and recognised as key contributors for determining a prolific and successful future for the industry . We must encourage those already fulfilling data centre careers to remain in these roles – but this requires ensuring they feel valued regardless of the stage of their career or personal circumstances .
They should feel confident in their own abilities and be encouraged to apply for leadership roles and promotions where necessary .
What ’ s also required is effort to pave a clear and direct path into the data centre world to build a robust framework for the future . This means working together collectively to appeal to women in various ways – incorporating awareness and understanding into the school system , building apprenticeship programmes and generally better marketing data centres as a possible career path .
Be confident in what you bring to the table , know you are deserving to be there and lean on those at the top to facilitate and champion career progression . For those yet to make the transition , what are you waiting for ? �
Scan / tap to view the panel discussion By Alix Pressley , Head of Strategic Content
A key message from the panel discussion was just how exciting and rewarding it is
Women in data centres 3