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Microsoft has recently announced a US$1 billion investment to establish its new data center in Malaysia. The new data center, named Bersama Malaysia, is set to be the largest Microsoft data center in the region and will significantly increase the capacity of Microsoft products in the country.
This article will explore the technology used in this data center, its importance and implications, and the potential benefits of this new Microsoft data center in Malaysia.
Bersama Malaysia: Microsoft Commits US$1 Billion Investment to Establish Data Center in Malaysia
Microsoft has committed a US$1 billion investment to build its first data center in Malaysia – powered by its hyperscale cloud platform, Microsoft Azure. This investment will make Malaysia the first Southeast Asian country to house a Microsoft data center and symbolizes Microsoft’s commitment to promote the ICT industry in Malaysia. Microsoft is also planning to double its headcount and expand its operations nationwide.
This data center will provide local access to cloud services for Malaysian business, developers, and global organizations that host applications or store data across multiple centers. In addition, it will also support computer science and coding initiatives for students, foster Digital Transformation strategies in sectors such as Oil & Gas, manufacturing, healthcare and finance.
The new facility utilizes cutting-edge technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain application development and other advanced computing capabilities. In addition, to host large-scale workloads efficiently, the Data Center will feature power delivery systems; enhanced cooling technologies; advanced security measures; specialized systems designed for hardware acceleration such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and network edge devices optimization.
Technology Used in Microsoft’s Data Center
Microsoft recently announced a US$1 billion investment to establish a data center in Malaysia. This facility can potentially bring a disruptive new level of cloud computing to the region with its comprehensive range of advanced technologies.
In particular, Microsoft’s data center in Malaysia is backed by cloud-native technologies, including edge computing, artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Let us now discuss the technology used in Microsoft’s data center in Malaysia.
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is a key technology used in Microsoft’s data center in Malaysia. Cloud computing is a service delivery model where resources, such as processing power, data storage and applications, are delivered over the Internet. It enables businesses to quickly deploy computing capabilities without worrying about physical hardware setup or software install – making it perfect for companies that want to set up online networks quickly and cost-effectively.
Microsoft’s data center in Malaysia leverages cloud computing technologies that enable customers and developers to utilize the latest Microsoft cloud services, like Azure (cloud platform) and Office 365 (enterprise productivity). This allows them to build sophisticated IT solutions without relying on their infrastructure. Microsoft also uses their trusted active directory authentication system in their cloud services to ensure secure access control.
In addition, by leveraging virtualization technologies like Hyper-V and Containers as a Service (CaaS), businesses can easily manage and scale their applications quickly with minimal effort. This helps them save time and money while being able to have the ability to effectively manage servers, performance optimization and costs across multiple environments much more easily than traditional methods.
Overall, using cloud technology at Microsoft’s data center reinforces its commitment to helping businesses succeed by streamlining technology costs while increasing agility and scalability within their operations.
Artificial Intelligence
Microsoft has a history of investing and using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to power their data centers, and the Bersama Malaysia Data Center is no exception. AI is used to automate, optimize and improve the efficiency of the data center. Some AI applications in this data center include autonomous operation, predictive maintenance, cost optimization and machine learning applications.
Autonomous operations use AI algorithms to create optimally efficient operations that adjust dynamically along varying workloads or power conditions. Predictive maintenance utilizes real-time analytics to predict when key components may need maintenance or replacement, so corrective action may be taken ahead of time. Cost optimization involves leveraging AI to identify patterns in billing access activities and opportunities for savings or changes in operations to increase cost efficiency.
Finally, machine learning is used to understand how different systems interact within a data center so that they may quickly adapt when new components are integrated into existing infrastructure or changes are necessary due to fluctuating demand periods.
Using AI technologies at its core, Microsoft’s Bersama Malaysia Data Center can ensure high performance levels with lower maintenance costs across its computing needs for years.
Serverless Computing
Serverless computing is a cloud computing model that allows developers to write and deploy applications without managing any associated infrastructure. This type of computing allows customers to benefit from access to powerful technology without having to purchase or manage the servers themselves.
Microsoft’s Data Center in Malaysia leverages Serverless Computing technologies such as Azure Functions and API Services, allowing customers to access enterprise-grade solutions without managing complicated underlying infrastructure services. It provides on-demand, automated scaling of serverless workloads so businesses can focus on their tasks rather than worrying about server performance and downtime.
Azure Functions also enables developers to scale fast by running code triggered by events like data arriving in an Azure Storage queue or table, or when an HTTP request is received for an API endpoint. When combined with the power of Microsoft’s distributed systems and data center architecture, Serverless Computing makes the most efficient use of resources while giving customers the best performance at low cost.
It also enables businesses to use security features such as Identity Management for user authentication, access control, and encryption for secure data transmissions between on-premises systems and cloud services. In addition, disaster recovery solutions based on foundational technologies like Geo Synchronization ensure seamless operations in case of unexpected outages at one or more of the Data Center’s locations. With these capabilities, Microsoft has committed US$1 billion investments in its Data Center located in Malaysia by 2021 which helps drive forward their new digital transformation roadmap – “Bersama Malaysia ”.
Big Data
Microsoft’s Data Center in Malaysia is leveraging the power of Big Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to offer data-driven insights that open new possibilities for meaningful experiences. Big Data offers a wide range of data points that can be used to better understand customers’ needs and create enhanced experiences tailored for each user.
Big Data is a large collection of high-correct, complex, and nonstop growing datasets from multiple sources, gathered through human activity or directly from systems, like those in Microsoft’s Data Center. These datasets are usually too large for modern computing systems to process as one entity as they are distributed across different servers and/or networks; this is where technologies such as Hadoop come into play.
In the Bersama Malaysia initiative, technologies such as Hadoop enable Microsoft’s teams to gain insights on customer activities quickly by analyzing real-time data streams efficiently. Hadoop uses a form of distributed processing called MapReduce which functions across different nodes and divides big tasks into smaller ones that each node can process independently while simultaneously comparing their results with one another so they get combined in the end. It also stores the processed data onto machines’ local storage disks instead of expensive central databases maintaining cost-effectiveness while offering great scalability.
Through Big Data Analysis on Cores with HPC technology provided by Microsoft Azure Hybrid cloud platform, merchants embracing Bersama Malaysia services will be able to run AI models at scale on massive amounts of data more effectively than ever before; empowering them with actionable insights into their customers’ preferences & activities so they could further improve their business strategies accordingly.
Internet of Things
Microsoft’s Data Center in Malaysia has taken advantage of the growing ubiquity of connected devices known as the internet of things (IoT). This technology is expected to become increasingly prevalent in the data industry due to its efficiency and scalability.
IoT comprises objects with sensors or actuators connected to the network, allowing them to send and receive information. This technology allows Microsoft’s Data Center in Malaysia to effectively monitor, manage and control its applications from far-off locations.
IoT is also crucial for improving operational efficiencies through automation and reducing downtime. For example, it enables Microsoft’s Data Center in Malaysia to operate more smoothly and leverage modern technologies like cloud computing, machine learning, predictive analytics and artificial intelligence.
Furthermore, IoT can help reduce data center expenses associated with energy consumption by using predictive analytics to maintain an optimum temperature for cooling systems and uncover any power leakage opportunities within the facility.
Security Features in Microsoft’s Data Center
Microsoft has committed a US$1 billion investment to establish a data center in Malaysia, known as Bersama Malaysia.
With this new data center, Microsoft has implemented state-of-the-art security features to ensure the center’s safety and reliability. Let us take a look at the security features that have been implemented.
Multi-factor authentication
Microsoft’s data centers use robust security measures to protect their customer’s data. Multi-factor authentication is one of the most important security features to protect its data centers. This technology is designed to add a layer of security to prevent unauthorized access. It requires users to provide more than one type of credential such as a username, password, biometric verification (fingerprint or facial recognition) or mobile application for authentication.
Microsoft’s multi-factor authentication system uses a variety of technologies such as:
- Mutual authentication through client and server certificates;
- PIN/password challenge systems;
- Multi-layer encryption;
- Dedicated hardware security modules (HSMs).
Combining these technologies provides a strong and secure protection while letting users easily and conveniently access the data center services they need without compromising their privacy and security. In addition, Microsoft regularly monitors its network traffic, proactively responds to any threats detected and uses advanced analytics where necessary. All this helps ensure that the customer’s data remains safe in Microsoft’s data center in Malaysia.
Encryption
Encryption is an essential security tool for protecting data stored at Microsoft’s data center in Malaysia (or any cloud environment). Encryption uses mathematical algorithms to scramble the data, making it unreadable by anyone without a decryption key. Microsoft’s encryption keys are 256-bit strings, perhaps the strongest available.
Microsoft offers several layers of encryption technologies for their data protection strategy. For example, Microsoft use encryption to protect customer storage backed up at the data center, including virtualized machines and encrypted files. Additional protections involve encrypting all network traffic from users going into and out of the Center and encrypting all credit card or banking data accessing the Center’s computer systems. Microsoft also includes device-level encryption, so unauthorized access attempted on physical servers or other devices will be unsuccessful.
Along with their 256-bit AES encryption keys, Microsoft also uses Windows BitLocker to secure their server hard drives, allowing only approved personnel to access them using authorization credentials. This helps ensure that any attempts to utilize physical access attack vectors by rogue actors would not result in successful penetration into sensitive information stored within the Data Center’s environment.
Data Protection
Microsoft utilizes state-of-the-art technologies to ensure the highest data protection and security standards in its Data Center in Malaysia. The technologies are designed to defend against vulnerabilities, including unauthorized access, identity theft, data loss or alteration, and malicious attacks.
At the Data Center in Malaysia, advanced security options such as intrusion detection systems (IDS), Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), Microsoft Enterprise Mobility & Security (EMS) solutions and Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASB) are implemented. These measures help protect against threats from both onsite and offsite online activity by monitoring, filtering and blocking hostile activity. Other features include network firewalls, traffic segmentation and encryption standards to protect against unwanted intrusions into corporate networks or exploitation of application vulnerabilities.
Microsoft also uses a layered defense approach to safeguard customer data. Each layer comprises multiple methods deployed in combination to detect different types of threats, which can help reduce risk significantly when paired securely. This approach includes preventing malicious actors from infiltrating applications while still allowing user access; scanning regular web traffic for malware; deploying anti-malware protection solutions; protecting login credentials with public key infrastructure; validating digital signatures with secure transport protocols; inspecting application logs for anomalies or unauthorized access attempts; and controlling user access through authentication processes for identity management.
Furthermore, physical security measures such as biometrics/two-factor authentication requirements have been implemented at the Microsoft Data Center in Malaysia as an additional measure against unauthorized individuals attempting to gain access without authorization.
Benefits of Microsoft’s Data Center in Malaysia
Microsoft’s commitment to a US$1 Billion investment for a data center in Malaysia will bring many benefits to the Malaysian technology sector.
This data center will be powered by the latest technologies and provide services such as cloud storage, virtualization and analytics to support businesses in Malaysian communities.
In this article, we will look into the benefits of this data center and how it can further nurture the growth of the Malaysian technology industry.
Increased efficiency
Microsoft’s commitment to investing US$1 billion in a data center in Malaysia will bring increased efficiency and capacity to their cloud offering in the Southeast Asia region. The Malaysian data center will have four phases, each taking approximately 6 months. To deliver these services, Microsoft has deployed advanced technologies such as hyperscale computing, accelerated networking and robust storage to increase the reliability and scalability of their global cloud infrastructure.
These technologies are designed to enhance customer experience by allowing applications and workloads to be processed more quickly and securely. Through improved utilization of resources, cloud performance is expected to be 10 times faster on Microsoft’s infrastructure due to expanded capacity. Furthermore, customers who operate within the Southeast Asia region can now access lower latency when accessing local applications powered by Microsoft’s cloud.
This data center also enables companies in Malaysia the ability to process transactions with greater accuracy leading to improved insight for decision-making.
Cost savings
Microsoft’s new data center in Malaysia will offer cost savings to customers through the efficient use of cloud computing and storage. The new facility is in the Bukit Jadi Industrial Park, which offers an ideal location for high-capacity cloud computing and data storage services.
This investment in Bersama Malaysia allows Microsoft to benefit from lower costs of scale and add value to customers’ current IT investments, allowing them to save money by using cloud computing and remote storage. Additionally, due to its strategic location near major cities and other large tech hubs such as Singapore, Microsoft can provide customers with access to various resources to help their businesses grow.
Finally, having a data center in Asia means that entrepreneurs no longer worry about relying on hidden currency fluctuations or costs when transitioning their applications and services into different countries. This helps keep operational costs steady while ensuring ample support for back end processing such as analytics needs or resource intensive workloads across multiple locations within Asia Pacific thus providing customers with flexible solutions that best suit their needs at any given time.
Improved customer experience
Microsoft’s data center in Malaysia comes with a host of benefits that will elevate customer experience and business agility. Firstly, customers can be guaranteed access to a top-notch cloud platform with improved performance, security and scalability. This is especially important due to Malaysia’s rapid digital transformation initiatives as the country prepares for a post-pandemic future.
The new data center promises more compelling customer experiences with its commitment to local and regional compliance standards. This includes resilience against industry exposure to various risks in protecting users’ data while conforming to local government regulations. Additionally, the facility has advanced data and analytics capabilities that provide businesses an edge within highly-competitive markets through better insights on rivals or potential investment opportunities.
The state-of-the art data center will also offer wider area connectivity for improved international communication flows through Azure ExpressRoute worldwide, enabling businesses to reach global customers with greater speed and ease. Most of all, for cloud storage needs Microsoft Storage Solutions come equipped with self-healing algorithms backed by redundancy capabilities that further enhance service availability and reliability even during unexpected circumstances such as power outages or typhoons.
Conclusion
Microsoft’s data center in Malaysia is an important part of their global strategy and they are fully committed to the project. Microsoft Azure powers the data center, a global cloud infrastructure that provides scalability and stability.
Microsoft is also investing in local partners to help with the growth of the data center and to help them expand into new markets. All in all, this is a great example of how technology can help companies expand and grow.