It turns out that most of us don’t mind data centers at all
- 51% of respondents surveyed by CyrusOne were positive about data centers
- Two in three see employment opportunities and potential for local economic growth
- However, only half were able to correctly identify the primary functions of a data center
New research from CyrusOne suggests there is strong public support for data centers across Europe as businesses and consumers demand more computing and cloud services.
More than half (51%) of the 13,000 people surveyed were positive about data centers, while another 42% were neutral, leaving only a small percentage of negative perceptions.
But even those with positive attitudes toward data centers expressed concerns about the environmental impact of energy- and resource-intensive data centers.
The public is on board with data centers
Despite the positive outlook, a clear understanding of the purpose of a data center was not that common. Only 52% were able to correctly identify the primary function of a data center, and less than half (45%) associated data centers with online tools such as video conferencing, social media and digital messaging.
Furthermore, only 38% of British respondents understood their primary purpose, which is below average and significantly among German residents (66%).
The lack of understanding did not detract from hopes for economic benefits, with more than three in five recognizing that data centers create jobs (66%) and accelerate local economic growth (62%). Those who lived closer to data centers were more likely to feel this way.
“The research clearly shows that public opinion about data centers is more positive than expected and that the sector may not always be presented in a way that accurately reflects how people actually perceive the sector,” said Emma Fryer, Director of Public Policy for Europe. at CyrusOne.
Speaking about more local support, Fryer added: “It is therefore very important that we, as developers and operators, listen carefully to the people in our host communities, as we continue to educate, identify their needs and act accordingly to deliver meaningful local benefits to offer.”
