The security workforce behind Britain’s data-centre boom
By Zoe Woodley, Founder & CEO, MATCHUP Recruitment
When we talk about Britain's data-centre boom, the conversation tends to be about AI, investment, power and technology. But there is another part of the infrastructure that deserves more attention, specifically the people responsible for keeping these increasingly important sites secure.
That matters particularly here in London and the South East, where data-centre growth is accelerating, and where competition for experienced security professionals is already significant.
London is at the centre of the boom
The scale of development is rapid and striking. The CBRE forecasts 180MW of new data-centre supply across the London market during 2026, following a record 193MW in 2025. London accounts for more than 80% of UK data-centre supply, with established clusters around Slough and Hayes/Park Royal plus increasingly expanding towards areas including Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire, Docklands and Essex.1
Demand is moving just as quickly, driven partly by the extraordinary growth in AI and cloud computing. For employers, however, more facilities inevitably mean more people are needed to operate and protect them, and security isn't simply another “support” function.
The UK Government designated data centres as Critical National Infrastructure in 2024, recognising the role they play in everything from NHS records and financial services to communications and the wider digital economy. Further regulation is now intended to strengthen the security and operational resilience of the sector.
And this raises an important question for recruitment, specifically, are we putting enough thought into the security workforce behind all this new infrastructure?
Data-centre security is becoming a specialist role
Working in a data-centre environment isn't quite the same as guarding a conventional commercial building. These are highly controlled, technology-rich environments containing valuable equipment and, indirectly, extraordinarily valuable information.
Security teams can be responsible for sophisticated access-control processes, visitor and contractor management, CCTV monitoring, incident response and maintaining strict security protocols around the clock. Employers therefore need more than someone with the appropriate licence. They need people who are comfortable working with technology, understand procedure, communicate professionally and recognise why routine security processes matter.
The best candidates combine vigilance with judgement and excellent interpersonal skills. They can challenge someone, when necessary, while also dealing professionally with employees, engineers, contractors and visitors. Believe it or note, those qualities aren't always easy to find as competition for talent is already high.
Talent shortage
There are more than 517,000 active SIA licences in the UK, according to the Security Industry Authority's 2026–29 strategic plan. Significantly for employers in our region, around 40% of licence holders are based in London and the South East. Whilst this sounds like a substantial talent pool, the reality is that those people aren't waiting around for data-centres to employ them.
Many already work in and support corporate buildings, logistics operations, retail, events, residential developments, and other critical sites across one of Britain's most competitive employment markets. Data centres are therefore recruiting from a workforce that is already in demand.
And as the sector expands geographically beyond its established clusters, employers may find themselves competing for experienced people in areas where the specialist data-centre security talent pool is less mature.
Recruitment needs to be part of the growth strategy
For organisations developing or operating data-centres, workforce planning needs to happen earlier. Waiting until a facility is approaching operation before thinking seriously about security recruitment risks creating unnecessary pressure.
Instead, employers should be asking early:
What roles will we need? And do we need a management team/structure?
Which skills genuinely matter?
What can we train? Are we able to train internally or is this an additional requirement?
What experience is essential?
What shift patterns will attract and retain good people? And,
How does our pay and overall proposition compare with other security employers locally?
There is also an opportunity to look beyond candidates who already have 'data-centre' written on their CV. People coming from other high-security, critical-infrastructure, corporate or technology-led environments may have highly transferable skills. With the right screening, onboarding and training, widening the talent pool could become increasingly important as demand grows.
And let’s not forget retention which deserves equal attention. Twelve-hour shifts, nights and demanding operating environments aren't right for everybody. Employers that provide clear career paths, good management, training and a strong workplace culture will be better placed to keep the people they recruit.
The infrastructure is only as resilient as the people behind it
Britain's data-centre expansion is exciting. It is bringing investment, technology and new employment opportunities to London, the Thames Valley and communities across the South East. However, buildings, servers and sophisticated security systems are only part of the picture.
Behind every secure entrance, control room and access protocol is a person making decisions. As investment in Britain's digital infrastructure accelerates, the organisations thinking about that workforce today will put themselves in a much stronger position. If data-centres are becoming critical national infrastructure, building the security workforce protecting them needs to be treated as critical too.
Is your organisation planning for growth in data-centres or another high-security environment?
MATCHUP Recruitment works with security employers across London and the South East to identify the people and skills they need both now and for what comes next. Speak to us today.