The Data Center Frontier Show

Explore the critical intersection of Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM), Common Data Center Security issues and Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) with a special focus on how our innovative OpenData solution can help. As data centers face increasing security threats and regulatory pressures, understanding how to effectively integrate DCIM into a Zero Trust framework is essential for safeguarding operations and ensuring compliance.

As the digital economy accelerates on the back of AI and hyperscale infrastructure, the question of who will build and run tomorrow’s data centers has never been more urgent. Since its inception in 2015, International Data Center Day (IDCD), organized by 7x24 Exchange International, has steadily grown into a global campaign to answer that question—by inspiring the next generation of mission-critical talent. This year’s IDCD, observed in March but increasingly seen as a year-round initiative, was the subject of a recent Data Center Frontier Show podcast conversation with 7x24 Exchange International Chairman and CEO Bob Cassiliano and Aheli Purkayastha, Chief Product Officer of Purkay Labs and President of the New England Chapter. The two industry leaders outlined how 7x24 Exchange is advancing the mission of IDCD through grassroots engagement, structured resources, and a growing constellation of strategic partnerships. A Response to the Talent Shortage The origin of IDCD traces back to 7x24 Exchange’s recognition—at a 2015 leadership event—that there was not only a lack of awareness of data center careers among students, but also a vacuum of visibility in the educational system. In response, the organization launched IDCD to build a long-term pipeline by introducing the industry to students early, consistently, and accessibly. Today, that mission is more critical than ever. As generative AI workloads surge and new builds stretch power and land capacity, the need for skilled, motivated professionals to support design, operations, and innovation across the lifecycle of data centers has intensified. Turning Awareness Into Action In 2025, IDCD expanded its reach through a broad range of local chapter events and partner activations. These included data center tours, educational presentations, interactive demos, 5K runs, and a hackathon hosted by the New England Chapter. The hackathon stood out as a model for applied learning, pairing 50 high school students with industry professionals in a challenge to design a data center in space—all in just five hours. The result: heightened student interest, deeper industry engagement, and a clear illustration of the educational value these events can offer. While university students remain a key audience, organizers have recognized the need to reach even younger learners. Initiatives are increasingly targeting elementary and middle school students through age-appropriate programming, with a special emphasis on encouraging young women to consider careers in mission-critical infrastructure. Resources, Reach, and Real Outcomes The IDCD campaign is more than a collection of events—it is supported by a robust infrastructure of tools, templates, and thought leadership. At the core is InternationalDataCenterDay.org, a centralized hub offering educational content tailored to different age groups, a career path “tree,” and a library of interviews with professionals across the ecosystem. These resources empower volunteers, educators, and sponsors to create consistent, high-impact programming. The outcomes speak for themselves. IDCD has helped catalyze the development of data center curricula at both the secondary and postsecondary levels. The Carolinas Chapter, for instance, played a key role in helping Cleveland Community College secure a $23 million grant to develop a full-fledged data center program. Elsewhere, scholarships are on the rise, and growing numbers of students and faculty are attending industry conferences. Supporting these gains are complementary 7x24 Exchange programs such as WIMCO (Women in Mission Critical Operations), STEM mentoring, and Data Center 101 sessions—designed to provide clear entry points for newcomers while reinforcing the industry's inclusive, interdisciplinary nature.

Sean Farney, Vice President of Data Center Strategy and Innovation at JLL, shares his expertise in data center project management. He discusses the urgent need for liquid cooling retrofits as technology advances, highlighting a significant opportunity for enhancing efficiency. Farney also addresses the innovative strategy of adaptive reuse, turning non-traditional spaces into data centers while promoting sustainability. He emphasizes the growing importance of energy efficiency and the integration of AI as critical factors shaping the future of data centers.

Bala Naidu, Vice President of Energy Transition Solutions at Bloom Energy, delves into how solid oxide fuel cells are transforming data center power solutions. He highlights the urgent need for sustainable energy amid the data boom. Key points include the advantages of fuel cells over traditional systems, such as high power density and minimal emissions. Naidu also discusses fuel supply adaptability, scalability of technology for various data center needs, and valuable lessons from recent deployments, emphasizing resilience and efficiency.

Zachary Zawilla, Vice President of Business Development for Distributed Power Solutions, dives into the pressing power challenges faced by the booming data center industry. He discusses the urgent need for reliable bridge power solutions to support uninterrupted operations. Zawilla compares reciprocating engines and gas turbines, highlighting their efficiency benefits. The conversation also covers innovative approaches to address emissions regulations and the importance of tailored behind-the-meter solutions for cost-effectiveness and control.

For this episode of the Data Center Frontier Show podcast, DCF Editor-in-Chief Matt Vincent and Senior Editor David Chernicoff sat down with Tony Grayson, President and General Manager of Northstar Technology Group's Enterprise and Defense unit, to unpack a strategic acquisition that’s shaking up the edge and modular data center space. The conversation centered on Northstar’s acquisition of Compass Quantum, a company known for its rapidly deployable, composite-based modular infrastructure tailored for both enterprise and defense applications. From Compass to Northstar: A Strategic Realignment “We were developing a modular brand at Compass,” said Grayson. “Where Compass was building the gigawatt-scale campuses, I was building the smaller campuses using building blocks of modules—versus, you know, kind of a stick build.” That smaller-scale focus gained traction with enterprise clients, including several Fortune 50 companies, but new opportunities in the defense sector introduced regulatory friction. “Compass is Canadian-owned, and that goes against some of the rules that the U.S. government has,” Grayson explained. “Chris Crosby was a huge supporter… he wanted to sell us so he wouldn’t hinder us from growing the company or servicing U.S. defense needs.” Enter Northstar Technology Group, which brings a strategic partnership with Owens Corning—the manufacturer and IP holder behind Compass Quantum’s composite materials. With engineering, manufacturing, and construction capabilities now integrated under one roof, Grayson sees the acquisition as a natural fit. “Everything is now in-house instead of trying to go outside to other consultants,” he said. AI-Ready Modulars in 5MW Increments As hyperscale demands evolve, Grayson noted growing customer appetite for 5 megawatt modular units—mirroring the scale at which Nvidia and others are now building AI infrastructure. “You’ve seen Wade Vinson talk about it at Data Center World, and you see Jensen [Huang] talking about 5 megawatts being the line where you cross between the L2 and L3 network,” he said. “We can build in 5 megawatt increments and drop that stuff in parking lots—either as an operating lease or as a sale.” That flexibility extends to Northstar’s channel partners, who are increasingly seeking a variety of procurement models. “Some want sales, not just leases. It gives us more freedom to do that kind of stuff,” said Grayson. “Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good, and I feel like the timing of this couldn’t have been better for where the industry’s at right now.” Veteran-Led Advisory Team Strengthens Defense Strategy In addition to the materials and platform innovations, Northstar’s defense ambitions are underpinned by what Grayson describes as a “dream team” of senior military advisors. “We basically have every outgoing ‘six’—the people in charge of IT and comms for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Army, and Navy—as advisors,” he said. “Some will be coming on full time.” These high-level advisors, many of whom retired as three-star generals, are instrumental in helping Northstar align its solutions with evolving defense requirements, particularly in distributed compute and real-time data processing. “We’re making huge progress on the enterprise side, but the defense side is where we need to catch up,” Grayson added. “Defense globally needs distributed compute… they’re ahead of enterprise when it comes to inference platforms.” He also highlighted Northstar’s engagement with the Navy, particularly around airborne systems. “That’s why we have the old air boss, Admiral Weitzel. He helps us with aircraft systems. These planes generate so much data, and we need advice on how best to internalize and analyze it.” Material Advantage: Why FRP Composites Are a Game-Changer: Durability, Customization—and No Tariffs A key differentiator for Northstar’s modular approach is its use of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites instead of traditional steel or concrete enclosures. As Grayson explained, “There’s no tariffs involved in any of this stuff. It’s all locally sourced and rather easy to get from Owens Corning.” This material advantage extends far beyond sourcing. FRP composites allow Northstar to customize modules for specific use cases, including: Fire resistance: Two-hour fire ratings. Extreme weather: Withstanding 250 mph winds—Category 5 hurricanes and F5 tornadoes. Military resilience: Ballistic protection up to 7.62mm and .50 caliber rounds. And despite their strength, these modules are extremely lightweight—“30% lighter than aluminum,” said Grayson. “I don’t know if you’ve ever seen the picture of me holding the 15-foot I-beam. I’m a sub guy, not Army tough. I definitely couldn’t hold that up if it were steel.”

Global demand for data center capacity is expected to grow between 19 and 22 percent annually through 2030, according to McKinsey & Company.  As data center capacity expands, so does the challenge of managing the heat generated by high-performance chips. This includes heat at the chip, as well as external heat rejection and room cooling. LG, a global HVAC technology leader, discusses the evolving landscape and the latest technology to ensure efficient, reliable cooling for data centers. This includes the full suite of data center cooling solutions that LG debuted at Data Center World 2025. The cutting-edge cooling technologies, including direct-to-chip, room, and chiller plant cooling capabilities, are intended to meet the challenge of increasing data center capacity head-onm helping provide reliable, energy-efficient solutions.

André Busnardo, Head of Data Center Sales at Tecto Data Centers, shares insights on Fortaleza's emergence as a key connectivity hub in Latin America. He discusses Tecto's innovative projects like Big Lobster and the forthcoming Mega Lobster, aimed at supporting advanced technologies such as AI and 5G. The conversation highlights strategic initiatives for enhancing regional connectivity, evolving customer demands, and expanding edge data centers to meet the needs of major tech companies. It's an engaging look at the future of digital infrastructure in Brazil.

Join Nick Bustamante, CTO of 4Scale Data Centers, and Kathleen Margolis, Senior Client Account Director at Black & Veatch, as they dive into the pressing global power deficit impacting the data center industry. They discuss the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions, the complexities of securing power in various regions, and the importance of collaboration between utilities and tech firms. The duo also highlights innovative design strategies that minimize energy waste while navigating regulatory challenges in data center development.

WASHINGTON, D.C.— At this year’s Data Center World 2025, held earlier this month at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, the halls were buzzing with what could only be described as industry sensory overload. As hyperscalers, hardware vendors, and infrastructure specialists converged on D.C., the sheer density of innovation underscored a central truth: the data center sector is in the midst of rapid, almost disorienting, expansion. That made it the perfect setting for the latest episode in our ongoing podcast miniseries with Nomad Futurist, aptly titled Nomads at the Frontier. This time, I sat down in person with Nabeel Mahmood, co-founder and board director of the Nomad Futurist Foundation—a rare face-to-face meeting after years of remote collaboration. “Lovely seeing you in person,” Mahmood said. “It’s brilliant to get to spend some quality time at an event that’s really started to hit its stride—especially in terms of content.” Mahmood noted a welcome evolution in conference programming: a shift away from vendor-heavy pitches and toward deeper, mission-driven dialogue about the sector’s true challenges and future trajectory. “Events like these were getting overloaded by vendor speak,” he said. “We need to talk about core challenges, advancements, and what we’re doing to improve and move forward.” A standout example of this renewed focus was a panel on disruptive sustainability, in which Mahmood joined representatives from Microsoft, AWS, and a former longtime lieutenant of Elon Musk’s sustainability operations. “It’s not just about e-cycling or carbon,” Mahmood emphasized. “We have to build muscle memory. We’ve got to do things for the right reasons—and start early.” That starting point, he argued, is education—but not in the traditional sense. Instead, Mahmood called for a multi-layered approach that spans K–12, higher education, and workforce reskilling. “We’ve come out from behind the Wizard of Oz curtain,” he said. “Now we’re in the boardroom. We need to teach people not just how technology works, but why we use it—and how to design platforms with real intention.” Mahmood’s remarks highlighted a growing consensus among forward-thinking leaders: data is no longer a support function. It is foundational. “There is no business, no government, no economy that can operate today—or in the future—without data,” he said. “So let’s measure what we do. That’s the KPI. That’s the minimum threshold.” Drawing a memorable parallel, Mahmood compared this kind of education to swimming lessons. “Sure, you might not swim for 20 years,” he said. “But if you learned as a kid, you’ll still be able to make it back to shore.” Inside-Out Sustainability and Building the Data Center Workforce of Tomorrow As our conversation continued, we circled back to Mahmood’s earlier analogy of swimming as a foundational skill—like technology fluency, it stays with you for life. I joked that I could relate, recalling long-forgotten golf lessons from middle school. “I'm a terrible golfer,” I said. “But I still go out and do it. It’s muscle memory.” “Exactly,” Mahmood replied. “There’s a social element. You’re able to enjoy it. But you still know your handicap—and that’s part of it too. You know your limits.” Limits and possibilities are central to today’s discourse around sustainability, especially as the industry’s most powerful players—the hyperscalers—increasingly self-regulate in the absence of comprehensive mandates. I asked Mahmood whether sustainability had truly become “chapter and verse” for major cloud operators, or if it remained largely aspirational, despite high-profile initiatives. His answer was candid. “Yes and no,” he said. “No one's following a perfect process. There are some who use it for market optics—buying carbon credits and doing carbon accounting to claim carbon neutrality. But there are others genuinely trying to meet their own internal expectations.” The real challenge, Mahmood noted, lies in the absence of uniform metrics and definitions around terms like “circularity” or “carbon neutrality.” In his view, too much of today’s sustainability push is “still monetarily driven… keeping shareholders happy and share value rising.” He laid out two possible futures. “One is that the government forces us to comply—and that could create friction, because the mandates may come from people who don’t understand what our industry really needs. The other is that we educate from within, define our own standards, and eventually shape compliance bodies from the inside out.” Among the more promising developments Mahmood cited was the work of Rob Lawson-Shanks, whose innovations in automated disassembly and robotic circularity are setting a high bar for operational sustainability. “What Rob is doing is amazing,” Mahmood said. “His interest is to give back. But we need thousands of Robs—people who understand how it works and can repurpose that knowledge back into the tech ecosystem.” That call for deeper education led us to the second major theme of our conversation: preparing the next generation of data center professionals. With its hands-on community initiatives, Nomad Futurist is making significant strides in that direction. Mahmood described his foundation as “connective tissue” between industry stakeholders and emerging talent, partnering with organizations like Open Compute, Infrastructure Masons, and the iMasons Climate Accord. Earlier this year, Nomad Futurist launched an online Academy that now features five training modules, with over 200 hours of content development in the pipeline. Just as importantly, the foundation has built a community collaboration platform—native to the Academy itself—that allows learners to directly engage with content creators. “If a student has a question and the instructor was me or someone like you, they can just ask it directly within the platform,” Mahmood explained. “It creates comfort and accessibility.” In parallel, the foundation has beta launched a job board, in partnership with Infrastructure Masons, and is developing a career pathways platform. The goal: to create clear entry points into the data center industry for people of all backgrounds and education levels—and to help them grow once they’re in. “Those old jobs, like the town whisperer, they don’t exist anymore,” Mahmood quipped. “Now it’s Facebook, Twitter, social media. That’s how people get jobs. So we’re adapting to that.” By providing tools for upskilling, career matching, and community-building, Mahmood sees Nomad Futurist playing a key role in preparing the sector for the inevitable generational shift ahead. “As we start aging out of this industry over the next 10 to 20 years,” he said, “we need to give people a foundation—and a reason—to take it forward.”