How can you objectively compare the quality and security level of two different data centers? How can you be sure that marketing promises about “top quality” and “full redundancy” actually reflect reality? In a market where every provider claims to be the best, you need hard, verifiable evidence. That evidence comes in the form of international certifications – especially the EN 50600 standard.
What is the EN 50600 standard?
It is worth knowing that EN 50600 – together with its international European equivalent, ISO 22237 – is the only standard created from the ground up for the comprehensive assessment of data center infrastructure. This is not another general quality standard, but a detailed set of guidelines and requirements covering all the key aspects of data center operations: building design and physical security, power system architecture, cooling system architecture, and telecommunications infrastructure.
Holding a certificate of compliance with this standard is, above all, proof that the facility has been designed, built, and maintained in line with global best practices. For customers, it is a guarantee that they are dealing with a professional partner who has subjected its infrastructure to rigorous evaluation by independent external auditors.
Availability classes – the key to understanding the level of security
The most important part of the EN 50600 standard is the classification of availability levels, known as Availability Class. The standard defines four classes, from 1 – the lowest – to 4 – the highest. Each class determines the level of redundancy and resilience to failure.
Class 1 means no redundancy – a single power and cooling path, where any failure causes downtime. Class 2 means redundancy of core components (N+1), but the power and cooling paths are still single. Class 3 provides full redundancy that allows maintenance work to be carried out without downtime. Class 4 (Rated-4) is the highest possible level – two fully independent and active power and cooling paths, resilience to any single failure, and even to several simultaneous failures.
Talex Data Center holds a certificate confirming compliance with the highest, fourth availability class. In addition, in the area of physical security, we also hold Class 4, while in the area of energy efficiency, we hold Level 3 – the highest in this category. This is not our subjective assessment, but a fact confirmed by independent auditors.
Certification is a process, not a one-time event
It is important to emphasize that certification is not a one-time event. To maintain the validity of the certificate, a data center must undergo rigorous surveillance audits every year. Auditors verify whether the declared level of security is consistently maintained, whether procedures are followed, and whether the infrastructure is regularly serviced. For customers, this is a guarantee that quality is not just an empty promise, but an ongoing process under continuous supervision.
Ask for the certificate – it is your right
Verifying a certificate is the simplest and most effective way to assess the quality of a data center. Instead of relying on marketing claims, ask for hard evidence. Ask whether the provider holds an EN 50600 or ISO 22237 certificate and which availability class the facility meets. The answer to that one question will tell you everything you need to know about the provider’s approach to security and risk. It is your right as a customer – and the safest way to make an informed and secure decision.
