Will Data Centres Become Viable Targets During War? (2026 Guide)

Will Data Centres Become Viable Targets During War? (2026 Guide)

As global conflict evolves into a hybrid of physical and digital warfare, a critical question is emerging: will data centres become legitimate and strategic targets during war?

The short answer is yes — and in many cases, they already are. But the reality is nuanced. Data centres are not yet primary targets like oil refineries or military bases, yet their strategic importance is rising rapidly in modern warfare.

What Is a Data Centre and Why It Matters

A data centre is the physical backbone of the internet, housing servers that power:

• Banking systems

• Cloud computing platforms

• Artificial intelligence (AI)

• Government services

• Military data processing

In today’s hyper-connected world, these facilities underpin critical national infrastructure (CNI). Governments increasingly classify them alongside energy grids and telecom networks due to their importance. (� National Protective Security Authority)

Are Data Centres Already Being Targeted?

Recent real-world events suggest a clear shift.

In 2026, drone strikes hit multiple cloud data centres in the Middle East, damaging infrastructure and disrupting digital services. (� euronews)

•Facilities supporting cloud services experienced outages

•Banking, transport apps, and digital platforms were affected

• Attacks were reportedly linked to military and intelligence objectives

Experts described this as one of the first known physical attacks on commercial data centres during active conflict. (� euronews)

👉 This marks a turning point:

Data centres are no longer just cyber targets — they are becoming kinetic (physical) targets.

Why Data Centres Are Attractive Military Targets

1. They Power Modern Societies

Modern economies rely heavily on digital infrastructure.

Disabling a data centre can disrupt:

• Financial systems

• Logistics and supply chains

• Communications networks

In warfare, attacking infrastructure that supports civilian and military operations is a long-standing strategy. (� SC Media)

2. They Support Military and Intelligence Operations

Cloud providers increasingly host:

• Military analytics

• Surveillance systems

• AI-driven decision tools

This creates a blurring of civilian and military infrastructure, making data centres more justifiable targets in conflict scenarios.

3. High Impact, Low Cost Attacks

Compared to heavily defended military bases, data centres:

• Are often less protected against air strikes or drones

• Have visible footprints (large buildings, cooling systems, heat signatures)

• Offer high disruption value for relatively low effort

4. Cascading Effects Across Infrastructure

A single data centre outage can ripple across multiple sectors:

• Healthcare systems

• Transport networks

• Energy management systems

Cyberattacks on infrastructure already aim for this cascading disruption effect. (� IT Pro)

Types of Attacks on Data Centres

🔴 Physical Attacks

• Drone or missile strikes

• Sabotage or infiltration

• Power supply disruption

Recent conflicts show that airborne threats are a growing concern, with many facilities not designed for military-grade attacks. (� euronews)

🟠 Cyber Attacks

• Ransomware

• Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS)

• Data breaches

Data centres are “lucrative and attractive” targets for attackers seeking disruption or data theft. (� newsroom.axis.com)

🟡 Hybrid (Cyber-Physical) Attacks

• Exploiting cooling systems or power infrastructure

• Manipulating industrial control systems

• Coordinated cyber + physical disruption

These attacks target both digital systems and physical infrastructure simultaneously, increasing their effectiveness.

Are Data Centres Legitimate Targets Under International Law?

This is where things get complicated.

The Legal Grey Area:

• Civilian infrastructure is generally protected under international law

• However, infrastructure that supports military operations can become a legitimate target

Because data centres often host both civilian and military workloads, they fall into a legal grey zone.

Limitations: Why Data Centres Aren’t Always Prime Targets

Despite growing risks, data centres are not always top-priority targets.

1. Redundancy and Resilience

Cloud providers distribute data across multiple locations (“availability zones”), allowing systems to recover quickly after disruptions. (� euronews)

2. Strategic Value vs Other Targets

Experts note that in many conflicts, assets like:

• Energy infrastructure

• Water systems

• Transportation hubs

are often higher-value targets than data centres.

3. Data Localisation Challenges

Some data must remain within specific countries, limiting how effective attacks are globally.

The Future: Will Data Centres Become Primary Targets?

Key Trends

• AI warfare increasing reliance on cloud infrastructure

• Military-cloud partnerships expanding

• Drone warfare lowering the cost of precision strikes

• Critical infrastructure convergence (digital + physical)

Experts already warn that future wars will increasingly include attacks on digital infrastructure hubs. (� SC Media)

How Governments and Companies Are Responding

Defensive Measures

• Geographically distributed data centres

• Enhanced physical security

• Airspace monitoring and anti-drone systems

• Hardened or underground facilities

Policy Considerations

• Discussions around protecting data centres under international agreements

• Increased classification as critical national infrastructure

However, experts suggest formal agreements banning such attacks are unlikely to be widely respected in wartime. (� euronews)

Final Verdict: Are Data Centres Viable War Targets?

Yes — and increasingly so.

Data centres are becoming:

• Strategically valuable due to their role in digital economies

• Operationally relevant to military systems

• Vulnerable to both cyber and physical attacks

However, they are still secondary targets compared to traditional infrastructure — at least for now.

Key Takeaways

Data centres are now part of critical infrastructure warfare

Physical attacks on them have already occurred in 2026

Their dual civilian-military role makes them legally and strategically complex targets

The trend points toward greater targeting in future conflicts

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