Data Centers Face Escalating Threats as Global Conflict Targets Digital Infrastructure

NEW YORK — Data centers supporting artificial intelligence operations must be classified as critical infrastructure to protect national security, a new analysis argues, following a surge in physical and cyber attacks targeting digital facilities worldwide.

The assessment, published Monday by author Greg Otto, highlights the strategic vulnerability of the facilities that power modern economic and military operations. The report cites recent conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine as evidence that adversaries are increasingly prioritizing digital infrastructure as a primary target.

The New York Times reported on the growing consensus among security experts that the current regulatory framework fails to account for the specific risks facing AI-dependent systems. Attacks on these facilities can disrupt everything from financial markets to defense communications, creating cascading failures across essential services.

Russian military intelligence has been identified as a key actor in campaigns targeting digital infrastructure, utilizing both kinetic strikes and sophisticated cyber operations. In the Middle East, Iran-aligned groups, including the Handala network, have demonstrated capabilities to infiltrate and compromise server farms that support regional AI initiatives.

The report details a specific incident involving a victim identified as Stryker, whose operations were disrupted by a coordinated attack on a data center in 2025. The incident underscores the potential for physical destruction to render advanced digital systems inoperable, regardless of their cyber defenses.

"The convergence of physical and cyber threats creates a unique risk profile for data centers," the analysis states. "Without critical infrastructure designation, these facilities lack the necessary protections and resources to withstand state-sponsored aggression."

The timing of the report coincides with heightened tensions in the Middle East and ongoing hostilities in Eastern Europe. Analysts note that the integration of AI into military command and control systems has elevated the stakes for infrastructure security. A successful attack on a major data center could degrade the capabilities of AI-driven defense networks, potentially altering the balance of power in active conflict zones.

Government officials have not yet announced plans to reclassify data centers under existing critical infrastructure laws. However, the discussion has intensified within intelligence and defense communities as the reliance on AI for national security operations continues to grow.

The question remains whether current legislation can be adapted quickly enough to address the evolving threat landscape. As nations invest billions in AI development, the protection of the underlying hardware and facilities becomes a central component of national defense strategy. Security experts warn that without immediate action, the window to secure these assets against sophisticated adversaries may close.

The debate over infrastructure classification is expected to continue as policymakers weigh the economic implications of stricter regulations against the urgent need for enhanced security measures.