London, not If but When
London is the second largest Internet Exchange in the world. Unfortunately London is also one of the highest risk cities in the world. Flood, terrorism, theft and power are all real and present threats. London therefore represents a huge single point of failure to the availability of the UK Internet and all those that rely upon it.
Theft
“Criminals posing as policemen conned their way into a data centre near London’s King’s Cross station, tying up staff and stealing computing equipment” From the Metropolitan Police
Power Shortage
“By 2009, London faces the prospect of regular ‘brownouts’ “. ZDnet
“City business races the Games for power” The Guardian
Terrorism
“SCOTLAND YARD has uncovered evidence that Al-Qaeda has been plotting to bring down the internet in Britain, causing chaos to business and the London Stock Exchange”. Financial Times 11.3.07
Flood
“The summer floods which affected 12 of the 33 London borough goes to prove how vulnerable any community is to flooding, whether it’s rivers bursting their banks or torrential downpours”. London Resilience
The risk of flooding is growing throughout the UK not just London – click here for more details
For more examples of thefts at London Data Centres please visit these external links:
http://ixconsulting.newsweaver.co.uk/1dm33tlqtgz-w6guol3eh7?email=true
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/12/07/kings_cross_data_centre_raid/
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/05/05/peter_gabriel_server_theft/
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/07/10/cable_wireless_robbery/
http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2008/12/12/bt_reward/
The above image was taken on the M25 directly after the attack on London on 07/07/05
