Data centers are the heart of digitization. In Germany alone, computing power is increasing from year to year. According to a study by the industry association Bitkom e.V., the capacities of the data centers in Germany have increased continuously in recent years. Measured against the maximum current consumption of the installed hardware, the recording capabilities increased by around 30 percent between 2016 and 2021. There are currently a little more than 3,000 data centers with more than 40 kW IT connection power in Germany. A total of around 50,000 smaller IT installations and data centers are included. The growth is primarily due to the increasing expansion of cloud computing offerings. While capacities in cloud data centers increased by 150 percent between 2016 and 2021, traditional data centers stagnated at a constant level. In addition to the increase in computing power, operators also have to deal with political requirements. The forthcoming Energy Efficiency Act presents them with ambitious tasks in terms of sustainability. With efficient testing procedures, for example from High Knowledge GmbH in Cologne, weak points and potential for improvement can be identified at an early stage.
The data centre market continues to grow. Digitalisation requirements increase each year across the private, commercial and municipal sectors. “The zettabyte era presents data centres and IT infrastructure with particular challenges,” stresses High Knowledge Managing Director Harry Knopf. “We need to keep pace with the rapid growth of data consumption, creation and reproduction.” The shift from the industrial age to a data-driven age involves rapid digital transformation across industries worldwide. It is therefore also referred to as the “Fourth Industrial Revolution”. More data is processed each year. While the global datasphere amounted to around one zettabyte in 2012, it was forecast to grow to 175 zettabytes by 2025. Hence the term “zettabyte era”.
New applications change load profiles and technical requirements. A facility check should therefore consider the current condition, intended operation and applicable obligations together. This enables areas for action to be documented and measures to be prioritised according to urgency and dependencies.
Diverse changes, Diverse Requirements
Changes in IT and data centre environments are diverse and highly dynamic. To help data centre operators maintain an overview, Cologne-based consultancy High Knowledge offers a range of assessment procedures. “Our DC Checks help us quickly and easily identify opportunities for improvement, non-conformities with applicable standards and requirements, and where action is needed,” explains Martin Vogt. The technical lead adds: “Our different assessment procedures also uncover security gaps. We identify precisely where and how energy consumption and emissions can be reduced.”
Different Verification Options
So that every environment in a data center can be adequately analyzed, there are six different verification options. In the so-called "DC Infra Check", an extensive questionnaire with the appropriate evaluation criteria is used to determine whether the data center meets the current norms, standards and security requirements. "The operator knows immediately whether there is a need for action and where he currently stands with his system or the IT infrastructure," says Vogt. "The check reveals all weak points."
Based on the answers, the employees at High Knowledge carry out extensive analyzes and take into account more than 250 self-developed evaluation criteria of the data center infrastructure being examined. “This check, which is free of charge, provides an initial assessment and shows the potential of the data center. In addition, we provide initial recommendations for action when weaknesses are discovered. The more questions are answered, the more detailed the assessment is,” says Managing Director Knopf. Finally, the results are presented in an understandable visual representation.
Artificial Intelligence in Action
The "DC IT Check" is also cost-neutral. Here, the IT environment in a data center is optimized using artificial intelligence (AI). "This check is unique in its form worldwide and we make this service available exclusively," states Knopf. Based on fewer but more targeted queries, this check helps noticeably to lower energy costs, reduce emissions and optimize the area used - the white space. The AI-based software solution used here ensures a holistic evaluation of the server, storage and network components. "The analysis provides a well-founded insight into optimizations with regard to the total cost of ownership (TCO) as well as in the area of operation and maintenance or the space utilization concept," summarizes technical manager Vogt. The check leads to the report generated by the AI solution, which shows the IT components in terms of workload efficiency, energy requirements and actual performance, evaluates them and shows concrete recommendations for action.
Closely Examine Individual Components
The “DC EMC Check” goes into depth. Here, the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of the IT or the entire data center is expertly examined. “We pay particular attention to the error-free, EMC-compliant construction of all systems. This includes examining the immunity of IT components or the entire system to external and internal influences,” reports Vogt. If all measures to reduce disruptions are implemented, a data center and the IT systems can work without failure. All too often, faulty electrical installations cause malfunctions or failures. If the operation does not run smoothly, this can have economic consequences for the operator. “We carefully analyze the electrical installation. The implementation of the central grounding point (CEP) according to VDE 0100-444 is required. However, this is implemented correctly in very few systems,” says Vogt from his many years of experience. "Particularly in data centers with complex, redundant electrical systems, equalizing currents via the grounding system can disturb the highly sensitive IT systems." With the review, this can be virtually ruled out in the future.
This also applies to the effective review of the energy network. The “DC PQ Check” takes care of that. So-called power quality measurements can be used to detect and avoid faults in the energy network at an early stage. Different, high-quality network analyzers and additional measurement and analysis technology are used for this. At the end, the operator receives a meaningful measurement and test report in accordance with DIN EN-50160 and DIN EN 61000-2-x.
Protection Against Unauthorized Access
There are always failures in data centers. Cyber attacks are often cited as reasons for this. The "DC PEN Check" is worthwhile so that operators know whether their systems have security leaks or targets for attack. Vulnerabilities are identified here. In addition, the security controls implemented and the configuration of the components used in the data center are analyzed and evaluated. A penetration test checks the security of as many system components and applications as possible in a network or software system. For this purpose, exactly the means and methods are simulated that make it possible to penetrate the system without authorization. The checks used include, for example, the firewall check and the VPN check.
Sustainably Tested
A DC BE Check helps prepare for the requirements of the Blue Angel ecolabel. The assessment compares existing documentation and technical conditions with the relevant criteria. It identifies areas for action and the evidence still required. Such a check does not constitute permission to use the label. Roles within the audit procedure and possible funding are clarified separately against the current requirements.
Einordnung aktualisiert am 8. September 2026.
Conclusion
Regular equipment checks help identify changes and possible weaknesses early. Alongside a free initial check, High Knowledge offers more detailed assessments, for example of electromagnetic compatibility. Scope, criteria and follow-up actions are agreed for the facility; these checks do not provide a blanket assurance of uninterrupted operation.
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