Viviana Castro, the newcomer

In this quarterly series, we spotlight industry leaders and changemakers who are shaping the world in which they work and live. Driven by purpose and passion, these are the people challenging the status quo, embracing risk, and pushing boundaries to transform their businesses.

How Viviana Castro has championed the role of sustainability and security for true data sovereignty.

Viviana Castro oversees the sales strategy and manages Ilkari’s channel partnerships in the company’s data centre (DC), which opened in August 2024 in the Tocancipá Free Trade Zone near Bogotá, Colombia.

Castro says that one of the biggest challenges they faced when opening a new modern data centre was ensuring their infrastructure met the highest standards of security and reliability.

“This involved rigorous testing and validation processes to guarantee that our systems could handle the demands of our customers,” said Castro.

“Additionally, coordinating with dozens of stakeholders, including local authorities and technology partners, required meticulous planning and execution.”

“It was a challenge that we achieved through a lot of teamwork, shared expertise, and being part of the team that brought Ilkari’s first DC online,” she said.

Certified and green

The Colombian data centre delivered on its goals. It is the first in Colombia to obtain both DCOS (Data Centre Operations Standard) Maturity Level 3 and TIA-942-C Rated-3 certifications, which ensure regulatory compliance and operating flexibility.

In December 2024, the data centre achieved the SS 564 sustainable data centre certification, which is the green DC standard that helps organisations establish the systems and processes necessary to improve their data centres’ energy efficiency.

Colombia generates as much as 75 percent of its electricity from renewable sources—more than twice the global average and significantly more than the 60 percent in Latin America and the Caribbean. Clean energy sources like solar power, wind energy, geothermal energy, and battery storage are increasingly being utilised in Colombia to counter the high energy demand of DCs.

Colombia is considered a green country, with a high percentage of its power coming from renewable sources like hydropower. Castro believes that Colombia’s energy infrastructure is a significant advantage for Ilkari in terms of green and sustainable development.

“It aligns with our commitment to sustainability and allows us to offer environmentally friendly solutions to our customers,” said Castro. “By leveraging renewable energy sources, we can reduce our carbon footprint and provide a more sustainable option for businesses looking to minimise their environmental impact.”

The pace of change

The Colombian DC market is expected to reach $890 million by 2029, up from $560 million in 2023.

The strong growth is fueled by increased cloud service adoption, digital transformation initiatives, investments in IT infrastructure, and rising demand for big data analytics, IoT, and artificial intelligence applications. Colombia’s DC colocation market is expected to experience growth with an estimated CAGR exceeding 15% in the same period.

“Data centres in Colombia are evolving rapidly, driven by the increasing demand for digital transformation and cloud services,” said Castro. “We are seeing a shift towards more advanced, energy-efficient, and sustainable data centre solutions.”

Castro says that the growing emphasis on data sovereignty and compliance with local regulations is shaping the way data centres operate in the region.

However, Colombia’s growth expanded universally across other sectors. Over the past five years, Castro says Colombia has also experienced significant advancements in technology. There has been a notable increase in the adoption of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics.”

“The fintech sector has also seen substantial growth, with many startups emerging and driving innovation,” she said. “Additionally, there has been a strong push towards digital transformation across various industries, leading to improved efficiency and competitiveness.”

The modern data centre and data sovereignty

In today’s digital age, businesses rely heavily on data to make informed decisions and drive growth.

“Our data center ensures that their data is always available, protected, and efficiently managed, allowing them to focus on their core business activities without worrying about IT infrastructure,” she said.

Castro breaks this down into four foundational aspects of the modern DC: security, scalability, energy efficiency, and compliance.

Security is paramount, as data breaches can have severe consequences.
Scalability ensures that the data centre can grow with the customer’s needs.
Energy efficiency is crucial for sustainability and cost management.
Compliance with local and international regulations ensures that the data centre operates within legal frameworks and meets industry standards.

Given Colombia’s recent changes and Ilkari’s emphasis on data sovereignty, Castro believes her work is integral to the value Ilkari provides to its customers.

“I see my role as a bridge between our technical capabilities and the customer’s requirements, ensuring that we deliver not just a service, but a comprehensive solution that enhances their operations and drives their success,” added Castro.

However, for Castro, one of her most significant achievements as a woman in tech has been leading a diverse and inclusive team that has successfully launched and grown its data centre operations.

“I am proud to have mentored and supported other women in the technology sector, helping to break down barriers and create opportunities for future leaders,” said Castro. “My experience and leadership have contributed to Ilkari’s success, and I am committed to continuing to drive innovation and excellence in our industry.”