STRATEGY

Interview by Alexandre Keilmann, Farvest

EBRC’S STRATEGY REVOLVES AROUND SECURE DATA CENTERS AND AVAILABLE INFORMATION

We recently met with Bruno Fery (Head of Data Center Services, EBRC). The seasoned expert tells us more about the evolution of Data Centers and describes the uniqueness of EBRC and the services it provides all over the world. He also shares his thoughts on the future of Data Centers, notably discussing CSR and the sustainability best practices advocated by EBRC.

— A STRATEGIC PARTNER,

LOCATED IN THE HEART

OF EUROPE

EBRC is a historical player in the field of Data Centers in Europe and was actually one of the first IT companies, in the world, to own and run three

Data Centers that are Tier IV certified by Uptime Institute. “Our three Tier

IV Data Centers, combined with our multiple international certifications and innovative services, are what makes EBRC unique in the ICT landscape,” first explains Bruno Fery. The Tier IV certification ensures an availability of 99.995%, which represents less than 26 cumulative minutes of downtime per year: the Data Centers operated by

EBRC have actually never experienced an interruption of service since 2000, that means a 100% availability. Moreover, and thanks to its ISO certifications, HDS (Hébergeur de Santé), PCI DSS (Payment Certification), and more, the company located in Luxembourg has become the strategic partner for the companies operating critical transactions or sensitive information in the health sector, the world of finance, and in several other industries. Through its ISO certifications, EBRC ensures quality management (ISO 9001), it also manages the immediate and long-term environmental impacts of its products, services and processes (ISO 14001), and follows management processes to deliver more efficient IT services (ISO 20000). EBRC also specializes in Cyber-Resilience, through ISO 22301 (business continuity) and has the ISO 27001 certification (information security). Moreover, it is the proud holder of ISO 50001, dealing with energy management and efficiency. “All those certifications allow us to answer to the needs of our clients, whether it concerns business continuity, the security of their environment and of course, sustainability. As a matter of fact, sustainability is one of the main EBRC “EARTH” values : Excellence, Agility, Responsibility, Trust, Human. Our clients clearly benefit from our commitment to protect the environment through efficient energy management and to reduce their carbon footprint.” underlines the Head of Data Center Services. Such certifications add more value to the services provided by EBRC, with a coherent structure and yearly audits led by external companies. “Combined with our human capital, these certifications allow us to manage sensitive data and information, with the highest availability, integrity and confidentiality,” adds Bruno Fery. Over the years, EBRC was able to position itself as a strategic partner, working hand in hand with international players with the highest requirements and needs in terms of availability and business continuity. “For the past

years, clients have been requesting flexible services such as a hybrid cloud and managed services, which are now provided by EBRC and add significant value to our global offer. The combination of these services with our Data Center expertise and knowledge gives EBRC a competitive advantage with a wider portfolio,” comments the Head of Data Center. In the last few months, the concept of resilience has been widely used: EBRC has been promoting it for almost 20 years, making “resilience” and “Cyber-Resilience” two of the main components of its DNA. As the digital economy keeps on growing and developing, the quality and availability of infrastructures remain all the more important. By covering services from Data Centers to various cloud offers, including hybrid cloud and by providing a full range of advisory services, EBRC has often demonstrated its significant value on all the entire digital value chain, eventually helping its clients improve their services and products. Lately, EBRC has been involved in the France and Germanypowered Gaia-X project, which aims at developing common requirements for a European data infrastructure. Bruno Fery also underlines the fact that Luxembourg has the highest concentration of Tier IV Data Centers worldwide. As highlighted by the expert, “the Grand-Duchy is strategically located in the heart of Europe, with an optical fiber connection linking it with major European cities, allowing the development of cross-border activities, low latency connectivity, etc”. The regulatory environment allows the development of companies and activities in a demanding yet upright and safe environment. Besides, an educated pool of talent, with a unique expertise and multilingual skills, is available in the country of Luxembourg.

AND CERTIFIED EXPERTS

“For the last 10-12 years, the management of Data Centers and its related activities has deeply evolved. Back then, we used to talk mainly about facility management when it today refers to actual operational management of Data Centers”, adds Bruno Fery when describing EBRC’s Data Center experts. The members of the teams are often taking classes to develop their skills and even to re-train when needed, with most of them today being the proud holders of individual accreditations and certifications. As highlighted by the expert, “this people certification strategy started back in 2010 and our Data Center services department currently counts four Tier designers and two certified experts in the management of operations, processes and service providers”. Others are certified by CNet (Data Centers Design Professional, Data Centers Energy Professional) or TIA 942, with all team members taking ITIL training classes to deal with incidents, changes and in order be able to communicate efficiently with the clients. Each year, competencies are measured and evaluated through a personal development plan, combining the experts’ wishes and the needs of the Data Center department within EBRC.

FOR THE LAST 10-12 YEARS, THE MANAGEMENT OF DATA CENTERS AND ITS RELATED ACTIVITIES HAS

DEEPLY EVOLVED. BACK THEN, WE USED TO TALK MAINLY ABOUT FACILITY MANAGEMENT WHEN IT TODAY REFERS TO ACTUAL OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT OF DATA CENTERS.

— A TEAM OF SEASONED

“A training program is then defined: we advocate training and development, whether it concerns hard or soft skills. Certifications bring an additional value, especially when it comes to our advisory services offer,” comments Bruno Fery.

— SUSTAINABILITY AT THE

CENTER OF THE GLOBAL

STRATEGY OF EBRC

As explained earlier, CSR is a key element of the overall EBRC strategy. Back in 2010, also, it was one of the first companies in Luxembourg to obtain the “CSR label” delivered by INDR (Institut National pour le Développement Durable et la RSE, or National institute for the sustainable development and CSR in English), and participates to the POST Group annual report, which combines financial and non-financial results. “Through these actions, and notably when it comes to

our Data Centers, our main concern is the protection of the environment and we are therefore constantly working on improving power and energy management”, underlines Bruno Fery. He continues: “We work on a daily basis on such topics and are regularly audited. We decided to implement the latest – and most efficient – technologies, have a Kyoto cooling system, etc. It falls within our constant improvement processes”. The company founded in 2000 is also a founding member of and member of the board of EUDCA – European takes part in the technical committee, which notably focuses on the newest European registrations and objectives towards 2030 and 2050. He adds: “in 30 years, we aim at achieving carbon neutrality, which means having a balance between emitting carbon and absorbing carbon from the atmosphere in carbon sinks. It is one of the main initiatives in order to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius”. “In this respect, we are leading a discussion around the future of Data Centers: how to design them? How to operate them? Which standards are required? What about ISO certifications?” asks the expert. Many industry players get together to define what and how future Data Centers could be in the next years: “several players discuss, exchange and explore the Data Centers of the future. Even though they are competitors, they all work together towards a common goal which is reducing the global footprint and therefore protect the environment”. EBRC is actually engaged in several other local and international initiatives aiming at lowering carbon footprint and at improving energy efficiency. It notably participates in a project led by FEDIL and the Ministry of the Environment in Luxembourg, which Bruno Fery

Data Centre Association. Bruno Fery Head of Data Center Services - EBRC targets a decrease by 14% of the carbon footprint, between 2010 and 2020. At the European level, EBRC actively participates in the Code of Conduct Europe initiative, and therefore produces an annual report, with a focus on results obtained and actions taken. Through its global approach – putting sustainability, resilience, security and availability at the center – , EBRC has developed into a strategic partner for companies looking for flexibility, agility and also innovation in terms of digital solutions. Ranging from Data Center services and multiple cloud offers to awarded managed services, cybersecurity and the brand new “Trusted IT Services on Demand”, the company which “specializes in the management and protection of sensitive information” provides its clients with the most efficient solutions while working constantly on lowering its carbon footprint.