Lagos — Senior Vice President of Secure Power Division, International Operations at Schneider Electric, Natalya Makarochkina. has expressed concerns for Chief Information Officers over the effect of AI challenges and cybersecurity issues on their having efficient and sustainable data centres and transmission networks.She stated this in her recent thought leadership piece, “CIOs must prioritise security, resilience, and sustainability as they digitally transform their organizations for the future.”
“There is a rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a livable and sustainable future for all. Currently, data centers and transmission networks account for only 1.5% of global energy demand, but this is expected to grow by 20% to 70% annually. Therefore, CIOs must ensure that their entire digital infrastructure—from the frontline sensors to the cloud—is energy efficient and sustainable,” she said.
Makarochkina highlights Schneider Electric’s role in this space, noting, “Through our global sustainability consulting services, we not only share our own sustainability journey but also offer our expertise to help other organisations meet their sustainability goals.”
She adds that tools such as data center infrastructure management (DCIM) and environmental sustainability management (ESM) are crucial for giving CIOs the granular data they need to optimize energy usage and meet emissions targets.
“CIOs must actively collaborate with business leaders across the organisation to help them understand the tools and services available for achieving their sustainability objectives. The CIO is increasingly becoming the gatekeeper for green value, helping organisations combat greenwashing and implement real, measurable sustainability practices,” Makarochkina states.
Makarochkina points out that while AI offers significant benefits—including improved productivity, enhanced customer experiences, and new product creation—it also presents new challenges. “Enterprises must prepare for the architectural, sustainability, and security demands that come with AI, particularly in areas such as power supply, cooling, rack space, and connectivity,” she explains adding that Schneider Electric has addressed these challenges in its white paper The AI Disruption: Challenges and Guidance for Data Center Design, which provides CIOs with the insights needed to leverage AI while ensuring their infrastructure can handle the increased demands.
She noted that Cybersecurity remains a top concern for CIOs as cybercriminals become more sophisticated, targeting specific industries such as healthcare and media. “In times of uncertainty, criminals will exploit vulnerabilities,” Makarochkina writes, referencing the rise in ransomware attacks.
To counter this, she advises, “CIOs must adopt the Zero Trust Model (ZTM) of least privileged access, ensuring that users and devices are protected no matter where they are. As digital infrastructure grows, even traditionally non-digital equipment like plant machinery and smart UPS systems are becoming part of the attack surface. “These devices must be treated as part of the digital estate and protected just as rigorously as servers and network switches.
