Security Becomes Strategic Enabler for Mexico Data Center Boom

Mexico will capture over US$18 billion in direct investment for data centers and add 1,516MW of power capacity between 2025 and 2030, reports the Mexican Association of Data Centers (MEXDC). Under this scenario, Comexa warns that security protocols must evolve from operational requirements into strategic enablers to protect this critical infrastructure.

While rapid growth drives the market, the convergence of physical and digital risks makes security a business imperative. A Comexa spoken person says that security stops being an operational requirement to become a strategic enabler. Guaranteeing the integral protection of a data center not only safeguards data; it protects business continuity, user trust, and the digital infrastructure that sustains Mexico in its technological transformation.

Mexico is solidifying its position as a regional technological hub, driven by Generative AI and the decentralization of computing known as Edge. The MEXDC report, presented during its 2025 general assembly, confirms the industry will generate more than 96,000 direct and indirect jobs through 2030.

However, this boom highlights immediate challenges in power availability and transmission. Amet Novillo, President, MEXDC, and Managing Director, Equinix Mexico, says that while global discourse involves nuclear options, the practical short-term alternative for Mexico is on-site generation using natural gas to secure operational continuity. In this complex environment of hybrid architectures and self-supply energy schemes, vulnerabilities extend beyond simple power failures to include sophisticated cyber-physical threats.

The industry faces a landscape of hybrid threats where IT and Operational Technology (OT) converge. Risks include unauthorized physical access, sabotage, and human error, which can compromise the continuity of these high-processing facilities. To mitigate these vectors, Comexa highlights that the industry is adopting next-generation electronic security solutions.

These systems integrate automation, centralized monitoring, and intelligent video surveillance. For example, automated platforms allow for 24/7 monitoring and anomaly analysis, significantly reducing human error. This is crucial as the industry diversifies geographically, with Edge data centers moving to Mexico's northern region, particularly Monterrey, to reduce latency for IoT and industrial automation applications.

Energy efficiency also plays a vital role in security. With over 95% of data centers in Mexico operating on air cooling systems or closed-loop circuits to minimize water usage, infrastructure must be resilient. Specialized security systems now monitor these critical environmental controls to prevent overheating or fire risks.

For 2026, the association identifies three major technological vectors: Generative AI, Hybrid and Multi-Cloud Architectures, and Process Automation. The coexistence of private cloud infrastructure and public multi-cloud environments, such as Microsoft Azure and Oracle, demands resilient security perimeters and logical access control.

As companies collaborate with entities like the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE) and the National Energy Control Center (CENACE) to solve power constraints, Comexa explains that electronic security remains the guardian of the digital economy's integrity.