News

Quantum-ready FN-DSA (FIPS 206) nears draft approval

NIST has submitted the draft standard for FN-DSA (FIPS 206), the FALCON-based digital signature scheme, moving it closer to formal adoption as part of the post-quantum cryptography (PQC) standardisation process. FN-DSA was selected alongside ML-DSA and SLH-DSA for PQC standardisation, but its approval has taken longer due to mathematical complexity and refinements to its components. With the draft now submitted, the first release is imminent. The draft will be published as an Initial Public Draft (IPD) for open review. While the timeline has not been finalised, it may coincide with the NIST PQC Standardisation Conference in September 2025. Based on past schedules, the review period is expected to last around one year, with a final standard likely in late 2026 or early 2027. Industry preparations Companies such as DigiCert, a US-based digital security company, are preparing for FN-DSA’s rollout. To avoid confusion around naming and identifiers, DigiCert has stated it will not implement FN-DSA in production until the standard is finalised. In the meantime, the company will make the IPD version available for experimentation through DigiCert Labs, which already hosts FALCON for testing. This will enable the wider community to trial the draft standard before formal approval. Role in post-quantum cryptography FN-DSA is seen as a special purpose scheme rather than a replacement for ML-DSA. Its smaller signature sizes could reduce certificate chain lengths, which is valuable in environments where efficiency is a priority. However, due to the complexity of FALCON’s signing process, FN-DSA is less suited for frequently signed leaf certificates. Instead, it is expected to be more useful for root and intermediate certificates. NIST has also signalled potential adjustments to signing and sampling methods, which could broaden FN-DSA’s applications once the draft specification is published. The progress of FN-DSA marks another milestone in the move towards quantum-safe standards. Organisations are being encouraged to begin preparation now by testing draft algorithms, trialling implementations, and developing crypto-agility strategies to ensure a smooth transition as PQC standards are finalised. For more from DigiCert, click here.

Daikin to showcase cooling at DCD London

Daikin, a Japanese manufacturer of air conditioning and refrigeration systems, will present its latest data centre cooling technologies at Data Centre Dynamics (DCD) London this September. The company’s team will share strategies to support energy efficiency, operational resilience, and sustainability in mission-critical environments. The event takes place at the Business Design Centre in London, where delegates will hear how Daikin’s systems are "designed to meet rising demand from artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and edge processing." Cooling systems for high-density environments Daikin will highlight its glycol-free chillers from the TZ D series, designed to provide enhanced heat transfer while avoiding the risks and maintenance associated with glycol-based systems. These air-cooled chillers operate from –20°C to +55°C, with options extending to –35°C for colder climates, and feature integrated free cooling to reduce energy use and emissions. For airside applications, Daikin says it offers: • Pro-C CRAH units delivering 30–200kW of cooling, with optimised airflow for high-density racks and aisle containment systems• Pro-W fan arrays providing up to 500kW of cooling, with modular configurations for scalable performance in large-scale data halls Intelligent control for energy efficiency The company will also demonstrate its Intelligent Data Center Manager (iDCM), a control platform capable of sequencing up to 20 chillers and pumps. By applying AI and machine learning, iDCM aims to build real-time performance profiles to balance load, extend equipment life, and cut energy use. Daikin says iDCM can achieve energy savings of up to 20% compared with conventional control, while supporting Tier III and Tier IV resilience requirements. The system is designed to improve Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE), Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE), and total cost of ownership. Supporting net-zero targets Francesco Di Giovanni, Senior Consulting Engineer at Daikin, will host a technical lunch session at DCD London. Drawing on over 15 years of experience across EMEA, he will explore the role of thermal management in the AI era, presenting approaches to improve efficiency, manage system loads, and enable progress towards net zero. Daikin’s cooling systems use low-GWP refrigerants, reclaimed gases, and modular design to reduce embodied carbon and meet regulatory requirements such as F-Gas and MEES. The company’s vertically integrated supply chain and lifecycle service model aim to ensure long-term reliability in data centre environments. For more from Daikin, click here.

Zoho to open new UK data centre

Zoho, a provider of cloud-based business software and productivity tools, has announced it will open a new UK data centre in the first quarter of 2026. The announcement comes alongside 43% growth in the UK and a tripling of staff numbers over the past two years. The new facility will allow customers to retain data within the UK, addressing demand for greater data sovereignty, particularly in sectors such as financial services and the public sector. The company will also relocate its UK office from Bletchley to Milton Keynes in the same quarter to support further team expansion. Strengthening UK operations and compliance Zoho’s UK strategy is built around its Transnational Localism programme, which provides local teams to support customer needs and contribute to self-reliant regional economies. The latest growth expands its customer-facing staff across sales, support, and marketing. Sachin Agrawal, UK Managing Director of Zoho, says, "In a constantly moving landscape impacted by geopolitical tensions and economic instability we are focusing deeply on enhancing the customer experience we provide to our UK customer base. "We understand the shift to customers wanting to host their data within the boundaries of the UK, which is particularly important in industries such as the public sector and financial services. Data privacy and protection continue to be at the core of our operations and is enhanced further with our new data centre. "Investment in our new office space enables us to continue to strengthen our growing team, ensuring that we not only deliver the best software, but the best service and support from those with excellent local knowledge of the market." At its Zoholics Birmingham event, Zoho also confirmed new compliance features for UK customers. Zoho Books is now recognised by HMRC for Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax Self Assessment (ITSA), adding to its existing approval for VAT. From April 2026, this regulation will apply to sole traders with qualifying income above £50,000 and from April 2027 to those above £30,000.

Pelagos planning ambitious 250MW facility in Gibraltar

Pelagos Data Centres, a developer of large-scale data centre infrastructure, has announced plans to build a major new data centre near the Port of Gibraltar, with capacity of up to 250MW by 2033. Unveiled at a launch event at the offices of Gibraltar’s Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, the project represents an investment of around £1.8 billion. It is the largest development currently planned in the territory by value, and among the largest in its history. The facility will be built in five phases on a 20,000m² site. The first stage is scheduled to be operational in late 2027, with later phases delivered at intervals of around 18 months. Transforming Gibraltar’s digital landscape Funded entirely by private investment and backed by the Government of Gibraltar, the project is positioned as a step forward for the territory’s digital and economic development. It is intended to help meet Europe’s growing demand for data centre capacity, particularly as AI adoption accelerates across industries. The site will operate independently of Gibraltar’s existing power grid and include a public leisure facility as part of the development. Konstantin Sokolov, Chairman of Pelagos Data Centres, comments, "The scale of this project marks a new chapter for Gibraltar and for Europe's digital capabilities. "Just as electricity and the internet transformed society in the past, AI is now emerging as the defining technology of our time with the power to redefine entire industries, economies, and communities. "With our new facility, Pelagos Data Centres is laying the foundation for the next era of AI-driven innovation, positioning Gibraltar as a strategic hub and enabling Europe's brightest minds to unlock the full potential of this revolutionary technology." Chief Minister Fabian Picardo adds, "I am delighted that Pelagos Data Centres have decided that Gibraltar is the place to establish their first facility and that the whole community will benefit from their massive investment and its huge economic impact. "I look forward to this project becoming a reality as soon as possible." Jobs, efficiency, and sustainability The development is expected to create up to 500 jobs during construction and around 100 permanent positions once operational. Pelagos currently employs 50 full-time staff across London and Gibraltar, and plans to expand its local workforce significantly. The facility will be built to Tier III standards, carrier-neutral, and designed to serve both public and private sector clients. It will pursue international certifications covering information security, quality, sustainability, and energy management, with a targeted Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.2 or better. The project’s sustainability strategy includes powering operations with a combination of renewable energy and liquefied natural gas (LNG), with the aim of achieving net-zero operational emissions by 2030. Cooling systems will be designed to minimise water use, and the company is exploring heat recovery options to support community projects. Sir Joe Bossano, Minister for Economic Development and Inward Investment, says, "This is the most significant infrastructure investment in Gibraltar since the early 1990s, when the GSLP Government brought state-of-the-art telecommunications as inward investment from the United States and made possible the creation of a centre for online services. Then, we future-proofed Gibraltar's economy. Today, we are doing so again. "The technology of the future - on which every advanced economy will depend - will be artificial intelligence. AI requires data, processing power, and energy resources on a scale never before seen. "The Ministry for Economic Development will put all its resources at the service of this initiative to ensure that it is delivered in the shortest possible time. In this field, speed of delivery is everything. Gibraltar should be the fastest jurisdiction on the planet when it comes to delivery." A further technical briefing and press conference is planned for the first quarter of 2026, ahead of construction beginning later that year.

Duos Edge AI awarded patent for modular DC entryway

The US Patent and Trademark Office has granted Duos Edge AI, a provider of edge data centre (EDC) systems, a patent for a new entryway design for modular data centres. The system aims to improve security and protect mission-critical equipment by combining a two-door access configuration with filtration to reduce the intrusion of dust, dirt, and moisture. Duos Edge AI, a subsidiary of Duos Technologies Group, develops modular edge data centres intended to provide reliable, low-latency data access in areas where traditional infrastructure is limited. The patented entryway is designed to support these facilities in remote or rural locations by improving equipment resilience and service uptime. Supporting communities The company’s edge data centres are used by schools, hospitals, warehouses, carriers, and first responders. By enhancing environmental protection for infrastructure, the new design is expected to strengthen operational continuity in sectors that depend on constant access to digital services. Doug Recker, President and founder of Duos Edge AI, says, "This patent demonstrates our commitment to delivering ruggedised, field-ready edge data centres that meet the unique needs of rural and underserved markets. "By addressing critical challenges like environmental intrusion, we are setting a higher standard for reliability and long-term value for our customers." The modular approach aligns with Duos Edge AI’s wider focus on delivering scalable, rapidly deployable facilities that move data processing closer to users. This can help reduce latency, support real-time applications, and expand digital access in regions with growing demand. For more from Duos Edge AI, click here.

Telehouse Thailand & NT to enhance ASEAN connectivity

Telehouse Thailand, a provider of data centre colocation services, has partnered with National Telecom (NT) to enhance international data transmission via submarine cable systems. The collaboration aims to reinforce the country’s telecommunications backbone and support digital transformation across both public and private sectors. The agreement links NT’s international submarine cable network directly to the Telehouse Bangkok data centre, which is now fully operational. This connection allows Telehouse Thailand to provide domestic content providers and internet service providers (ISPs) from neighbouring countries with access to the Asia Direct Cable (ADC) and Asia America Gateway (AAG) systems. The ADC network connects China, Hong Kong, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, while the AAG network extends from Asia to the United States. Together, these systems link key data centre locations hosting major cloud and content providers, and establish direct connections with global markets. NT’s domestic submarine cable system offers alternative routing through Thailand’s Gulf coast to its international landing stations in Songkhla and Satun, supporting reliable connectivity across multiple regions. Strengthening Thailand’s digital infrastructure Alongside benefits for private companies and public organisations, the partnership supports the Thai government’s aim of positioning the country as an ASEAN Digital Hub, encouraging investment and enabling regional digital growth. Colonel Sanpachai Huvanandana, President of NT, says, "This collaboration expands Thailand’s business potential and telecommunications readiness in the AI era. "With terabit-scale capacity and high-reliability network design, our international connectivity infrastructure addresses the critical requirements of global cloud and content providers when considering investment in Thai data centre facilities." Ken Miyashita, Managing Director of Telehouse Thailand, adds, "Leveraging NT’s submarine cable network, a core element of Thailand’s telecommunications infrastructure, enables our customers to efficiently handle the huge volumes of data traffic from Gen AI and cloud services, which are expected to significantly grow. "As Bangkok’s leading carrier-neutral interconnection data centre, Telehouse further strengthens this submarine connectivity and high service availability with the four diverse incoming fibre routes." For more from Telehouse, click here.

DTX London 2025 returns

DTX London, a UK event dedicated to business transformation, will open its doors at ExCeL on 1-2 October 2025 for its 20th anniversary. Dedicated to ‘Innovation with integrity; driving value, delivering purpose’, this year’s event will showcase a lineup of prominent speakers, including Olympic Champion Mo Farah, who will "help technology teams establish the skills, mindsets, and tools to tackle transformation challenges, enhance experiences, and fuel growth." The operators say DTX 2025 has been "reimagined to unite the people, technologies, and strategies that drive purposeful, long-term business change." Every stage is built around the real-world challenges facing organisations today, while offering an educational programme which highlights the importance of people in achieving successful business transformation. The Main Stage will host technology experts from the newly formed DTX Advisory Board. These senior leaders - from organisations including Segro, Apollo, Santander, Vanquis, the NFL, and RSA - are driving digital and business transformation across the UK. They will share practical insights and first-hand experience on delivering projects designed for long-term success. Highlight speakers include athlete Mo Farah, who will open the event on day one, discussing how business leaders can turn their aspirations into groundbreaking realities; Jason Hardy, CTO for AI at Hitachi Vantara, who will speak on the Data & AI Stage, discussing why AI’s future depends on data integrity; and Alan Reed, Head of Platform Innovation at bet365, who will discuss why most AI initiatives fail and how to beat the odds. While cyber has traditionally had its own dedicated part of the show, this year’s event will see the topic weaved across all stages with a big focus on human-cyber risk. This reflects the real-world reality that cyber is not solely the responsibility of security teams; it's a business-wide priority that affects every department and technology initiative, carrying serious consequences if overlooked. One of many panels on the Holistic Cyber Strategies Stage will feature experts from Deliveroo and Citi, discussing how AI can be implemented responsibly without neglecting security, and Moona Ederveen, Principal Consultant at Information Security Forum, who will also present on how organisations cut through the hype around quantum threats and build a realistic roadmap for readiness. The Main Stage will tackle the most pressing themes from navigating geopolitical impacts to building the future workforce, featuring a panel of C-level executives from Vanquis, the University of East London, and Lloyds Banking Group discussing how to align tech leadership for strategic impact. Attendees will also be treated to a session from UK Editor Bryan Glick of Computer Weekly. His publication is responsible for uncovering and reporting on the Post Office scandal, spotlighting injustice while actively campaigning to overturn wrongful convictions. Bryan will take to the Main Stage for a fireside chat with Sharon Gunn, Chief Executive for BCS, on day one, discussing lessons learned from Computer Weekly’s 16-year reporting on the scandal, while also highlighting the important role of people in technology. This year’s DTX - which is once again colocated with Unified Communications Expo (UCX) - is centred around the importance of people in business and digital evolution, exploring how people, platforms, and processes come together to accelerate real transformation. It is the place to hear about how businesses can leverage the latest technology advances for every job function, from developers to cyber teams and everyone in between, all under one roof. DTX + UCX is designed for anyone influencing technology selection and implementation, helping them discover innovation and find solutions that drive measurable business benefits. Why attend DTX + UCX London • Purpose-driven technology sourcing — See the latest innovations and discover the technologies and solutions that support your business objectives. Gain insights into emerging trends and best practices for leveraging technology to drive efficiency and growth. • Connecting teams & bridging silos — Foster collaboration and knowledge sharing by connecting with leading tech teams and experts. Forge valuable partnerships, break down internal silos, and unlock the collective potential of your organisation. • Meaningful conversations & networking — Engage with industry leaders, peers, and technology providers. Build strategic relationships, explore innovative solutions, and gain valuable perspectives that will shape your business transformation journey. • Driving measurable benefit — Translate technology investments into tangible business outcomes. Learn how to optimise processes, enhance customer experiences, and generate sustainable growth through strategic technology adoption. To guarantee a front-row seat and join the game-changers and tech pioneers at this year’s event, get your free pass here. Access the full agenda here. For more from DTX, click here.

84% of businesses report rising network outages

Nearly nine in ten organisations have experienced an increase in network outages over the past two years, with more than a quarter reporting increases of 25% to 50%, according to new research from Opengear, a developer of remote infrastructure management systems and a Digi International company. The rise in outages has reportedly cost more than a third of businesses between $1 million (£744,000) and $5 million (£3.7 million) in the past year alone. Over half of organisations also noted a 10-24% increase in outages over the two-year timeframe. The survey, designed to identify critical pain points affecting data centre operations, polled over 1,000 CIOs, CSOs, and network engineers across the UK, US, France, Germany, and Australia. The survey highlights how network outages are causing significant disruptions across data centre operations, affecting everything from system availability to business continuity. What the research shows Network engineers identified the most common causes of these outages as device configuration changes (highlighted by 27%) and server hardware failures (referenced by 26%), both of which can severely impact the stability and performance of data centres. To mitigate these risks, nearly a third of organisations (32%) rank AI and machine learning technologies among the technologies they have primarily invested in to support data centre operations. At the same time, 30% expect to increase spending on Out-of-Band (OOB) management solutions over the next five years to meet this same goal. Patrick Quirk, President and General Manager, Opengear, says, “Outages are no longer isolated events; they are happening more often and the cost is hitting businesses hard. Complexity, ageing infrastructure, human error, and cyberattacks are all part of the problem. "Governments are starting to take notice too, putting policies in place to protect critical digital infrastructure. As organisations lean more heavily on data centres to power digital transformation, the stakes are higher than ever. An outage is not just downtime; it is lost revenue, lost productivity, and lost trust. “Forward-looking businesses are not standing still; they are rethinking their strategies to build resilience into every layer of their operations. One clear shift is towards decentralisation, pushing workloads closer to where data is generated and consumed. That move reduces risk from a single point of failure, but it also demands new approaches to management and security.” As businesses adopt decentralised data processing models, 28% of organisations view the shift to edge computing and distributed networks as a trend that will significantly impact network management within their data centres over the next five years. This move towards edge computing further reflects the broader trend of decentralisation in network architecture, which - while offering operational efficiencies - requires more sophisticated management systems to handle the increased complexity of data centre operations. According to Patrick, “Edge computing brings clear advantages in speed, security, and efficiency, but it does not make the job easier. Distributed environments create more moving parts, and that means more opportunity for failure if they are not managed properly. "The answer is a resilient foundation and secure remote management that keeps infrastructure reachable and under control, no matter where it is deployed.”

World's first AI internet exchange launched by DE-CIX

DE-CIX, an internet exchange (IX) operator, has announced the launch of what it calls the world’s first AI Internet Exchange (AI-IX), making its global network of internet exchanges “AI-ready.” The company has completed the first phase of the rollout, connecting more than 50 AI-related networks – including providers of AI inference and GPU services, alongside a range of cloud platforms – to its ecosystem. DE-CIX says it now operates over 160 cloud on-ramps globally, supported by its proprietary multi-AI routing system. The new exchange capabilities are available across all DE-CIX locations worldwide, including its flagship site in Frankfurt. Two-phase rollout The second phase of deployment will see DE-CIX AI-IX made Ultra Ethernet-ready, designed to support geographically distributed AI training as workloads move away from large centralised data centres. Once complete, the operator says it will be the first to offer an exchange capable of supporting both AI inference and AI training. AI inference – where trained models are applied in real-world use cases – depends on low-latency, high-security connections. According to DE-CIX CEO Ivo Ivanov, the growth of AI agents and AI-enabled devices is creating new demand for direct interconnection. “This is the core benefit of the DE-CIX AI-IX, which uses the unique DE-CIX AI router to enable seamless multi-agent inference for today’s complex use-cases and tomorrow’s innovation in all industry segments,” Ivo says. Ultra ethernet and AI training Phase two focuses on AI model training. DE-CIX CTO Thomas King says that Ultra Ethernet, a new networking protocol optimised for AI, will enable disaggregated computing across metropolitan areas. This could reduce reliance on centralised data centres and create more cost-effective, resilient private AI infrastructure. “Until now, huge, centralised data centres have been needed to quickly process AI computing loads on parallel clusters,” Thomas explains. “Ultra Ethernet is driving the trend towards disaggregated computing, enabling AI training to be carried out in a geographically distributed manner.” DE-CIX hardware is already compatible with Ultra Ethernet and the operator plans to introduce it once network equipment vendors make the necessary software features available. For more from DE-CIX, click here.

rConfig launches Version 8 of its network configuration platform

Irish software developer rConfig has announced the release of Version 8 of its network configuration and compliance management platform. The update introduces a new distributed architecture, enhanced security features, and broader vendor support. It has been designed to support large-scale environments, with capacity for more than 20,000 devices and faster search and compliance processes. Key Features in Version 8 • Vector architecture — Distributed collection and multi-tenant scalability for managed service providers and large enterprises • Security and compliance — Expanded policy frameworks, encrypted configuration storage, and reporting designed to meet regulatory requirements • Performance — Proven capability to manage 20,000+ devices with faster compliance execution • Vendor support — Broad compatibility without restrictions Positioning in the Market The company says the platform combines its open-source heritage with enterprise-level capability. Its distributed design, focus on compliance automation, and multi-vendor support aim to make it suitable for sectors including telecommunications, manufacturing, energy, and government. rConfig is also developing AI-driven features, including automated compliance baselines, anomaly detection, and predictive analytics to support proactive network management. Industry Collaboration The company will be a Platinum Partner at Zabbix Summit 2025 in Riga this October, where it will demonstrate how Version 8 integrates with Zabbix for real-time configuration monitoring and compliance. “With V8, we’ve set a new standard for the industry,” claims Stephen Stack, CTO of rConfig. “Our customers demanded speed, compliance, and distributed scale – we delivered. And with AI-driven innovation and our deepening partnership with Zabbix, we’re excited to lead the next chapter of network automation.”