The Security Industry Association (SIA) has launched its new Data Center Advisory Board, an expert-led group that will provide guidance to the SIA Board of Directors and resources to members focused on modern data center security practices. The board will help address the growing need for stronger, more resilient protection as cloud infrastructure and AI-driven workloads continue to expand.
Under the leadership of Jim Black, senior director and security architect at Microsoft, the board will concentrate on best practices for securing data centers that house highly sensitive and mission-critical information. These facilities are central to today’s digital economy and require advanced, layered security approaches.
Key Focus Areas Of The Advisory Board
The advisory board’s core objectives include developing practical guidance on security system deployments, encouraging collaboration between manufacturers and data center practitioners, contributing to thought leadership efforts, and working with SIA’s government relations team on relevant legislative and regulatory issues.
Chair Jim Black has served at Microsoft since 2011 within the Cloud Operations + Innovation group. In his role as senior director and security architect, he defines the technology strategies that protect people and assets across Microsoft’s global network of more than 400 data centers. He holds credentials as a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) and Physical Security Professional (PSP) from ASIS International, along with the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) designation from ISC².
Jim Black: “The data center industry is experiencing unprecedented growth and heightened risks driven by emerging technologies and global operational challenges. I am honored to serve as SIA’s inaugural Data Center Advisory Board chair and look forward to working with this accomplished group of industry experts to advance and publish modern security standards that will strengthen cloud critical infrastructure protection worldwide.”
Industry Endorsement From SIA Leadership
SIA CEO Don Erickson highlighted Black’s deep involvement and long-standing support of industry initiatives, calling him an ideal fit to lead the advisory board from its inception.
Don Erickson: “The Data Center Advisory Board is an important venture for SIA, and we are very pleased that it will be able to benefit from Jim’s experience and expertise in data center security… We are excited about what the advisory board will accomplish under his leadership.”
SIA members can learn more about ongoing initiatives through its committees, advisory boards, and working groups designed to support knowledge sharing and professional advancement across the security ecosystem.
The Security Industry Association is the leading trade association for global security solution providers. With over 1,600 innovative member companies, it advocates for pro-industry policies, develops open standards, advances professional education, and creates opportunities for networking and collaboration through events such as ISC West, SIA GovSummit, and Securing New Ground.
https://security.world/sia-initiatives-in-critical-infrastructure-protection/
https://www.securityindustry.org
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the SIA Data Center Advisory Board?
It is an expert-led group created to provide guidance and resources focused on strengthening physical and operational security in data centers.
2. Who is chairing the advisory board?
The board is chaired by Jim Black, senior director and security architect at Microsoft.
3. Why is the advisory board important now?
Rapid data center growth driven by cloud computing and AI has increased security risks, making dedicated guidance and standards critical.
4. What will the board work on?
It will develop security guidelines, promote collaboration, offer thought leadership, and support policy and regulatory alignment efforts.
5. Who benefits from this initiative?
SIA members, security professionals, data center operators, and organizations relying on secure cloud infrastructure will benefit most.