Malaysia Cloud & Datacenter Convention 2025

This panel will explore the landscape of data center infrastructure investments in Malaysia in 2025, focusing on the emerging opportunities, as well as the critical risks that investors and operators must navigate. Special attention will be given to the growing concerns over environmental challenges, such as water usage, and how these impact the sustainability and long-term viability of data centers.

•  Key growth areas for investors in data center infrastructure.
• Addressing the environmental concerns of water usage in data centers, particularly in water-scarce regions and the need for efficient cooling systems.
• The role of new technologies (AI, edge computing) in shaping future infrastructure needs.
• Opportunities for Malaysia to position itself as a regional data center hub in Southeast Asia.

Data center automation is transforming the way data centers are operated and maintained, moving from traditional, manual processes to AI-powered, automated systems. As data centers scale to meet the growing demand for cloud services, edge computing, and digital transformation, automation provides key benefits such as increased operational efficiency, reduced downtime, and enhanced security. This panel explores the impact of automation on data center operations and maintenance, highlighting its role in driving the future of data centers

• Automated systems help reduce the risk of human error in data center operations, improving reliability and uptime.
• Integration of predictive maintenance tools to detect anomalies and prevent downtime before it happens.
• Automated compliance checks ensure data centers adhere to evolving regulations and industry standards.
• Automation drives long-term value by improving overall performance, increasing uptime, and reducing operational complexity.

This panel will delve into the significant challenges faced by data center operators and service providers due to talent shortages, which have become increasingly critical in the rapidly expanding digital landscape. It will explore how the shortage of skilled workers is affecting operational efficiency, service delivery, and the growth prospects of the data center industry. The discussion will also highlight strategies for addressing these challenges, from workforce development to technological innovations, that can help ensure the continued growth and sustainability of the sector.

• How the rise in demand for data centers, particularly in regions like Southeast Asia, is outpacing the available skilled workforce.
• The operational challenges caused by insufficient skilled workers, including increased workloads for existing staff, slower deployment of new infrastructure, and higher risks of downtime or security breaches.
• Discussing the future outlook for talent in the data center industry, including emerging trends in workforce demographics, skills, and career paths.
• The need for a collective industry response, including collaboration among data center operators, industry associations, and government bodies to address workforce shortages on a larger scale

This fireside chat will explore how the convergence of Generative AI (Gen AI), cloud computing, and data center infrastructure is reshaping industries and driving innovation. With cloud computing providing the scalability and flexibility needed for AI models, and data centers powering the infrastructure, this conversation will highlight the transformative potential of these technologies when they work in unison.

• Understanding how Gen AI and cloud computing are working together to power smarter data centers and more efficient IT operations.
• How the regulatory landscape is adapting to these new technologies and the responsibilities of organizations in ensuring ethical AI deployment.
• The role of AI in creating highly scalable, efficient, and responsive cloud solutions for businesses of all sizes.
• Predictions for how Gen AI, cloud computing, and data centers will evolve in the next 5-10 years and the impact on businesses and industries worldwide.

In an increasingly connected world, data centers face a growing number of cyber threats, ranging from sophisticated ransomware attacks to insider breaches. Ensuring that data centers are cyber resilient requires proactive measures to both prevent potential attacks and effectively respond when breaches occur. This discussion will delve into best practices and innovative strategies to build resilient data centers.

• Defining cyber resilience and its importance for the long-term security of data center operations.
• Implementing advanced security measures 
• Training staff and creating awareness to foster a proactive cybersecurity culture within data center operations.
• Exploring emerging technologies, trends, and techniques that will define the future of cyber resilience in data centers.

Edge computing is fundamentally altering the architecture of traditional data centers by pushing processing power closer to the edge of the network, nearer to the end-users and IoT devices. This transformation is enabling businesses to deliver faster, more responsive services while addressing challenges like latency, bandwidth, and real-time data processing. This panel will delve into how edge computing is revolutionizing data center architecture, the opportunities it presents, and the challenges that come with it.

• The key differences between traditional centralized data centers and edge computing data centers. 
• How edge computing supports the growing demand for real-time data processing, IoT devices, and smart cities.      
•  How data center operators can capitalize on the growing demand for edge computing services.                                            
•  What does the future hold for edge computing and its role in the broader digital transformation of data centers?

Malaysia is strategically positioned to become a regional connectivity hub, leveraging its geographical location, strong digital infrastructure, and government-driven initiatives. As the demand for reliable and high-speed connectivity grows across ASEAN and APAC, Malaysia stands out as a key player in data center growth and telecom network expansion. This transformation aligns with the country’s ambitions to drive digital economy growth, attract international investments, and establish itself as a leader in connectivity.

• Malaysia’s location in Southeast Asia makes it a prime hub for regional data exchange and subsea cable networks.
• Partnerships with global telecom players to improve network interconnectivity and bandwidth availability.
• Integration of AI, IoT, and automation to improve telecom network efficiency and optimize data center performance.
• Malaysia’s continued investment in infrastructure and digital policies positions it as a key regional hub for connectivity and technology advancements by 2025.

Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) is a critical metric for assessing water consumption in data centers, specifically focusing on cooling systems, which are a significant source of water use. As sustainability becomes a priority, data center operators must evaluate and optimize WUE to balance operational efficiency with environmental responsibility.

• Addresses growing concerns about water scarcity and resource sustainability in water-stressed regions.
• Complements metrics like Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) to provide a holistic view of data center efficiency.
• Leading hyperscale data centers are achieving significant water savings through innovative designs and sustainable strategies.
• Incentives for adopting water-efficient technologies can drive change.

As sustainability becomes a core business principle, Malaysia’s data center industry is embracing green initiatives to reduce environmental impact, align with national carbon neutrality goals, and foster innovation. This panel will explore Malaysia’s roadmap for green data centers, focusing on government policies, industry incentives, and best practices for achieving sustainability in data center operations.

• What are the key government targets for sustainability, and how do data centers fit into these objectives?
• The introduction of regulations and standards aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of data centers.
• Predictions for the next 5-10 years in the Malaysian data center industry and the evolving role of sustainability.
• Long-term vision for achieving fully carbon-neutral data centers in Malaysia.