UKFast invests in data centre upgrade

MANCHESTER-based firm UKFast is investing £2.3m in upgrading its data centre complex.

Improvements include a security upgrade to its dedicated colocation space and the construction of a new high-security, high-density, high-resilience compound within the existing facility.

The extra-secure facility is equivalent to IL4 security standard, the company said, and has been designed in line with List-X standards to meet the heightened regulation needs of government, financial services, international telecoms and utilities firms.

UKFast chief executive Lawrence Jones said: “Previously, firms had to collocate their hardware in London if they wanted this level of infrastructure. Right now, UKFast is doing more to future-proof IT infrastructure in the North West than any other provider.”  

In May, UKFast announced the addition of its DC Support Hub to its datacentre complex. The new building offers an additional layer of physical security and a security network operations centre.

The investment in UKFast’s data centres follows an earlier property deal in October, which is set to double the footprint of the firm’s HQ and create the space necessary to deliver the manpower required to drive its planned expansion.

Jones said: “We have outgrown our space sooner than we’d planned, so we’re investing in our headquarters as well as our data centres. We need to keep bringing in incredible people to support our clients and we need plenty of space to do that. The investment across the support hub, the technical infrastructure and the offices demonstrates that we are ready to grow to the next level.”   

The company has a current revenue run-rate of £43.4m.