Amid intensifying competition to attract and build new data centres, Hong Kong has a clear head start thanks to a couple of key advantages. The city suffers no risk of earthquakes and enjoys one of the world's most reliable supplies of electrical power, making it a prime location to house the 'mission critical' computer systems and off-site back-up on which so much of international business now depends.
'These are massive plus points,' says Stephen Hilton, regional head of engineering and critical facilities for EC Harris.
'Of the places rated least risky to build a data centre, Hong Kong ranks first in Asia and seventh in the world. Contributing to that, it has the landing points for submarine cables, and the government does not try to gain access to information which is protected by law.'
The firm itself specialises in two main areas. It oversees the concept, planning and construction of purpose-designed buildings. It also provides the professionals and expertise needed to keep everything running like clockwork once a data centre is fully commissioned.
Understandably, whatever relates to the actual software - the sensitivities of programming, debugging, firewalls and other related areas - remain very much the responsibility of the individual client.
Predicting a bright future for the sector, with the real possibility of Hong Kong becoming a regional hub, Hilton nevertheless highlights a few concerns.
One, perhaps inevitably, is the scarcity of available - and suitable - greenfield sites. Several large companies have already built data centres in Tseung Kwan O, but finding land for construction is likely to remain a headache, despite concerted action by the authorities to make the process less onerous.
